10 Ways to Enjoy Dorset From Home

If you’re missing Dorset whilst on lockdown, fear not, Visit Dorset have come up with 10 ways to enjoy Dorset without leaving your sofa!

Whilst it may not be the real deal, we hope it will remind you of all the glorious places waiting to be explored when you are able to visit us again.

Tune in to a Dorset webcam

Watch the world go by at West Bay, the tide roll in and out of Weymouth Bay and the winter sun sparkle off the sea at Lyme Regis via Dorset Council’s live Dorset webcams. You can almost taste the salt on your lips…

Explore Dorset’s landmarks via Google Earth

Travel virtually to your favourite Dorset places! With just the click of a button or tap of the screen you could be standing on Chesil Beach, wandering along Swanage seafront or exploring the pretty streets of Sherborne.

Visit the Tank Museum with Google Arts & Culture

The Tank Museum have teamed up with Google Arts & Culture to allow viewers to digitally explore one of Dorset’s top visitor attractions.

Virtual travellers can walk around the tanks and artefacts in the Tank Museum’s flagship ‘Tank Story’ Exhibition and explore 26 key tanks from the last 100 years.

Lose yourself in a Thomas Hardy novel

It’s well known that Hardy’s literature was based around real life places in Wessex, many of them in Dorset.

In fact, few writers are as steeped in the landscape as Hardy; his detailed characterisation of each chapter’s setting means that you can be completely whisked away to Hardy’s Wessex in seconds.

Stream your favourite Dorset TV show or film

One way to bring Dorset into your home is by watching a TV show or movie that features Dorset as its backdrop.

Popular crime drama Broadchurch, which was filmed in West Dorset is currently streaming on Netflix or why not download the recent film adaptions of Far From the Madding Crowd or On Chesil Beach?  

Get the popcorn ready!

Take a virtual tour of Sculpture By the Lakes

Transport yourself to Dorset from your sofa with video tours from some of Dorset’s best loved attractions.

International sculptor and owner Simon Gudgeon and his wife, co-owner and creator of the park, Monique have a collection of virtual guided tours around their picturesque park. Take a few moments to relax and enjoy a slice of calm.

Viewers can also explore the ruins of Corfe Castle and take in the lovely views at Brownsea Island. Why not see if your favourite Dorset attraction has gone virtual?

Go for a wildlife 'wander' through Thorncombe Woods

During the first lockdown, the countryside rangers from Dorset Council put together a series of virtual Wildlife Wanders and Wellbeing Walks that brought the joy of nature into our homes. It may be cold outside but you can immerse yourself in the cheerful sights and sounds of spring as you join Claire and Kath around Thorncombe Woods, near Dorchester.

Learn about the Jurassic Coast

Homeschooling the kids? The lovely people over at the Jurassic Coast team have put together an excellent e-learning resource on their website full of activities you can enjoy at home.

Make your own Rhynchosaurs mask, create your own fantasy Jurassic Park landscape or try some ammonite pop art.

Moors Valley Country Park also have some great educational fun available on their website with a collection of video diaries and Let's Go Wild activity sheets.

Let’s get quizzical!

Interact with us at home with these fun games and quizzes on social media from us here in Dorset.

There are lots of games to get involved with, from Spot the Duck at Highcliffe Castle to Visit Dorset’s weekly Instagram quiz.

So if you need something to beat the lockdown boredom, hop online and play along.

Taste Dorset

Get the taste of Dorset delivered to your front door! Help support our small businesses here in Dorset by ordering from them online.

Jurassic Coast Farm Shop can deliver Dorset food hampers to all over the UK, or how about a case of delicious Dorset wine or some sweet treats through your letterbox (homemade brownie box anyone?)

If you love a bit of home baking, what can be more Dorset than a Dorset Apple Cake topped with a hearty dollop of clotted cream. Try this rustic recipe out here and serve with a pot of Dorset Tea! Who needs banana bread?

We can’t wait to be welcoming you back to Dorset again - but until then, sit back and enjoy all we can offer from the comfort of your own home.

We might not be able to go out but the beauty of Dorset can come in!