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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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  1. The iconic view from Gold Hill, Shaftesbury
    The iconic view from Gold Hill, Shaftesbury
  2. Blandford Forum's shops
    The market town of Blandford Forum
  3. Wimborne's Minster Church of St. Cuthburga
    Wimborne's Minster Church of St. Cuthburga

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Highlights

Where should you go whilst visiting Dorset?.....Where do we start!

Dorset is such a diverse and beautiful county that you’ll be spoilt for choice!  Rolling hillsides, dramatic cliffs, sweeping beaches, chocolate box villages, bustling towns, quiet countryside….Dorset’s charms are there for all to see and discover!

Retreat to the charms of Rural Dorset!

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life? The peace and tranquillity of Wimborne Minster, Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury and Gillingham will certainly clear your mind and rejuvenate your senses!

This is traditional rural England at its finest…unspoilt countryside, picturesque villages, quaint pubs…need we go on?

Lose yourself whilst exploring mile upon mile of footpaths, breathe in the scent of bluebells in ancient woodland and admire the sweeping panoramas from Iron Age hill forts over patchwork fields.

But keep a lookout – this area is rich in wildlife!

Why not make it a holiday to remember by trying something new?  Perhaps orienteering, bushcraft or segwaying – all fantastic and fun ways of embracing the great outdoors!

West Dorset – as multi-layered as the famous fossil-flecked cliffs along its Jurassic Coast

Looking for somewhere to recharge your batteries and reinvigorate your senses?  West Dorset is for you!

Unplug from the daily rush and enjoy the simple pleasures of Bridport & West Bay, Lyme Regis, Dorchester and Sherborne.

West Dorset doesn’t shout about its stunning natural features, it simply lets you discover them! Wherever you are, each turning leads to a new adventure, a secret hiding place, or an atmospheric, mellow stoned village or two.

Amble along the green-topped cliffs that rise and fall like a sales graph – the path ahead is visible for miles as you climb high above the fossil flecked beaches below.

Fly a kite on an ancient hillfort, scramble around rock pools at low tide for the ultimate find, wander woodlands....If you’re looking for a bit of a thrill to get the adrenaline pumping why not take a rib blast along the coast?

Stylish, yet unspoilt.  Magical and mysterious…West Dorset will stir the senses and calm the mind!

Soak up the splendour of Christchurch

Located on the shores of its own natural harbour, Christchurch is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy stunning views, or if you’re feeling more energetic, there is a host of water activities to indulge in!

After a few hours on one of Christchurch’s many beautiful beaches, why not enjoy a stroll along the River Stour and the area around the town’s quay.

Stop for a while, sit back and relax in one of the many restaurants and cafes and sample some delicious Dorset delights.

Once you’re re-fuelled and ready to get going again, a short amble from the harbour brings you to Norman Castle ruins and magnificent Priory church allowing you to step back in time and immerse yourself in Christchurch’s historic past!

Family fun at the seaside amid Olympic waters!

If you’re looking for a traditional family holiday by the seaside then head to Weymouth! With beautiful, long, sandy beaches and traditional seaside attractions such as Punch and Judy and donkey rides, this is where childhood holiday memories are made!

Just imagine yourself sitting in a deckchair with the warm sun on your face and the sand between your toes……the golden sands and safe shallow waters of Weymouth are perfect for sitting back and relaxing whilst your little ones entertain themselves by building the most magnificent sandcastle!

And you won’t just be gazing out onto any water – these are Olympic waters! 

Weymouth & Portland played host to the sailing events at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, however, Portland is much more than just a sailing venue – it’s an explorer’s paradise, adventurer’s delight and nature lover’s haven.

Enjoy the buzz of Bournemouth and Poole!

There’s all this and more to discover in Dorset, plus the bright lights of nearby Bournemouth and Poole and the woodland trails of the New Forest National Park.

Why not venture over to Bournemouth and discover the beautiful sandy beach that stretches for 7 miles followed by a night on the tiles in one of the many bars or restaurants? Or if you're after a bit of retail therapy then Bournemouth won't disappoint!
 
Or spend a day in nearby Poole with it's beautiful harbour and award winning blue flag beaches! Why not try one of the many water sports on offer or head off on a fishing trip?

Enjoy old fashioned seaside charm in Swanage and Purbeck

Swanage and Purbeck is sure to delight any visitor!

Victorian Swanage captures the essence of a traditional seaside family holiday! Pack your bucket and spade and enjoy a day building sandcastles on the beautiful sandy beach. Have some fun splashing around in the water or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the ebb and flow of foamy surf over damp pebbles.

Hire a pedalo from Swanage beach for some family fun, stride the cliff paths and be rewarded with awesome views or spot rare orchids and peregrine falcons at Durlston Country Park – the choices are endless!

Why not hop on the steam railway at Swanage and puff your way up to Corfe Castle, you’ll be captivated by these romantic castle ruins. Feel the history come to life as children play amongst the fallen walls, uncover secret hiding places and discover tales of treachery and treason around every corner.

Discover Dorset and book your break today!

With so many areas to explore, you’d better book a break to stand a chance of fitting it all in!
Click on the links below to book your accommodation and find out more about Dorset!
 

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  1. Puncknowle Manor Farmhouse

    Add Puncknowle to your Itinerary

    Puncknowle

    Bridport

    Puncknowle, pronounced ‘Punnle’ is a handsome village of stone cottages and farm buildings. A ridge of downland shelters one side of the village from the sea and on the other side is the beautiful Bride Valley.

    More info for Puncknowle
  2. Charminster, Dorset

    Add Charminster to your Itinerary

    Charminster

    South Walks Road, Dorchester

    Charminster is a small village 2 miles north of Dorchester full of delightful traditional cottages and possesses a typical Old English feel.

    More info for Charminster
  3. View to Woodbury Hill along West Street, Bere Regis

    Add Bere Regis to your Itinerary

    Bere Regis

    Bere Regis is found between Dorchester and Poole and is a short distance to the villages of Moreton and Bovington. The beautiful Athelhampton House is just a short drive away on the edge of Puddletown village.

    The village features St John the…

    More info for Bere Regis
  4. WDDC credit

    Add Lyme Regis to your Itinerary

    Lyme Regis

    Lyme Regis

    Lyme Regis is Dorset's most westerly town, a bustling and picturesque seaside resort famous for its fossils and literary connections.

    More info for Lyme Regis
  5. Burton

    Add Burton to your Itinerary

    Burton

    Burton, CHRISTCHURCH

    Burton is a village near Christchurch. It has a strong community feel with a village green at its heart. The Green has a local shop, doctors surgery and 2 churches. They have a yearly veterans parade and scouts carnival.

    More info for Burton
  6. Church of St Nicholas, Edmondsham

    Add Edmondsham to your Itinerary

    Edmondsham

    Wimborne

    A quaint village with old brick houses and cottages, a big iron village pump dated 1884 and a charming Manor House and church.

    More info for Edmondsham
  7. Sutton Poyntz

    Add Sutton Poyntz to your Itinerary

    Sutton Poyntz

    South Walks House, Dorchester

    Sutton Poyntx is picture-postcard pretty with a village pub overlooking the duckpond.

    More info for Sutton Poyntz
  8. Crosskeys House

    Add Broadwindsor to your Itinerary

    Broadwindsor

    Bridport

    A large village made up of period houses and pretty cottages. A popular craft and design centre is situated nearby.

    More info for Broadwindsor
  9. Mark Simons credit

    Add Osmington to your Itinerary

    Osmington

    Dorchester

    Osmington is a smart, well preserved village with grey stone cottages, narrow lanes and bright gardens. Carved into the chalk hillside nearby is a figure of George III on horseback, cut to commemorate the Royal visits to Weymouth.

    More info for Osmington
  10. Puddletown

    Add Puddletown to your Itinerary

    Puddletown

    South Walks Road, Dorchester

    Nestling in the Piddle Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and woodland lies Puddletown, one of Dorset’s most attractive villages and which features heavily in Hardy’s novels - most notably 'Far from the Madding Crowd'.

    More info for Puddletown
  11. Cerne Abbas, Visit Dorset

    Add Cerne Abbas to your Itinerary

    Cerne Abbas

    South Walks Road, DORCHESTER

    Cerne Abbas is a charming and quaint village that is world renowned for the Cerne Giant, a 180 ft high ancient chalk figure carved out into the steep sloping hillside above the village.

    More info for Cerne Abbas
  12. Upton House at Upton Country Park

    Add Upton to your Itinerary

    Upton

    POOLE

    Upton is located in between Poole and Wareham. The town's biggest attraction is Upton Country Park with walking and cycling routes near Poole Harbour - Europe's largest natural harbour.

    More info for Upton
  13. Christchurch Quay, Dorset

    Add Christchurch to your Itinerary

    Christchurch

    CHRISTCHURCH

    Few places in the country can boast two rivers, two castles, an 11th century Priory Church, a mill of Saxon origin, a medieval bridge and the site of a civil war siege in 1645.

    More info for Christchurch
  14. Lower Bockhampton

    Add Lower Bockhampton to your Itinerary

    Lower Bockhampton

    South Walks Road, Dorchester

    Lower Bockhampton is a small hamlet on the River Frome, home to the school where Thomas Hardy first attended as a young boy.

    More info for Lower Bockhampton
  15. Winterbourne Abbas

    Add Winterbourne Abbas to your Itinerary

    Winterbourne Abbas

    South Walks House, Dorchester

    Winterbourne Abbas is situated just south west of Dorchester and is a pleasant village with little bridges to the 17-19th century stone, brick and flint cottages.

    More info for Winterbourne Abbas
  16. Sturminster Marshall

    Add Sturminster Marshall to your Itinerary

    Sturminster Marshall

    Wimborne

    A large, pretty village with three pubs, village stores and several relics of past village life including the village stocks and maypole, the latter of which is still in use today.

    More info for Sturminster Marshall
  17. Broadmayne

    Add Broadmayne to your Itinerary

    Broadmayne

    South Walks Road, Dorchester

    The village of Broadmayne lines the main road between Dorchester and Wool and has some good brick cottages.

    More info for Broadmayne
  18. St Marys Church and The Priory Hotel from River Frome

    Add Wareham to your Itinerary

    Wareham

    Wareham

    Wareham is a curious and fascinating town. It has a history that goes back nearly 2000 years; flourishing in Saxon times and was a strategic stronghold for King Alfred the Great.

    More info for Wareham
  19. Colmers Hill - Copyright James Loveridge

    Add Symondsbury to your Itinerary

    Symondsbury

    Bridport

    Symondsbury is a large, pretty village of golden sandstone, known for its iconic landmark – Colmers Hill, which is featured extensively on postcards of the area and is the subject of many atmospheric photographs.

    More info for Symondsbury
  20. Wimborne Minster

    Add Wimborne Minster to your Itinerary

    Wimborne Minster

    Wimborne Minster

    Historic market town with a selection of high street and independent stores, a range of great pubs and cafes and some unique attractions; a wonderful model town, quality crafts centre, museum, market and the charming Minster Church.

    More info for Wimborne Minster
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Know Before You Go - Covid-19 information
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