Famous Landmarks in Dorset

If you’re visiting Dorset and want to know what to put on your sightseeing checklist, we've got some fantastic ideas.

The county is home to many famous landmarks that you really won’t want to miss, from Durdle Door and Portland Bill to the Cerne Abbas Giant and Old Harry Rocks.

Cameras at the ready, these places will be gracing Instagram in no time!

Highlights of the Jurassic Coast

Dorset is blessed with an incredibly beautiful coastline; so much so it has been named a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. It’s not surprising then that all the way along this stretch of coast you will find geological wonders galore!

Dorset is probably most famous for its soaring limestone arch, Durdle Door, which is featured on many a postcard of the area. Nearby is the picture perfect horseshoe bay of Lulworth Cove which attracts visitors all year round due to its stunning setting and quaint village.

Head west along the coast and you will reach Chesil Beach, one of the finest barrier beaches to be seen anywhere and steeped in smuggling legend.

Head east and you’ll find Old Harry Rocks, a magnificent chalk formation supposedly named after a local pirate. Here you’ll find wildlife and walks galore.

Pillars of history

All across Dorset you will find an array of historical places of interest.

Corfe Castle is one of the most iconic silhouettes in Dorset and is well worth a visit. Owned by the National Trust, this ruined castle is full of things to do and makes a great day out for the whole family.  

The attractive town of Sherborne has its fair share of landmarks boasting two castles (old and new) and an impressive abbey. Marvel at the vaulted ceilings of this striking building and tour the fascinating castles.

You can’t leave without visiting…

You cannot come to Dorset without taking a stroll down one of the most famous streets in TV history – Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. Made famous by the Hovis advert of the 1970s, trying to resist singing the theme tune as you meander down the cobbled hill is simply futile.

Another Dorset ‘must see’ is the Cerne Abbas Giant. Visitors flock to this ancient site to admire the notoriously rude chalk figure carved into the hillside.

Last but not least we would recommend taking a trip down to Portland Bill, Dorset’s very own ‘Land’s End’. Feel the wind in your hair, breathe in the salty air as you watch the waves crash in and climb up to the top of the lighthouse before enjoying a fresh crab sandwich at the pub. A heavenly afternoon…  

Time for forty winks

It’s tiring work being a tourist but luckily we have some amazing hotels, B&Bs, and self catering properties where you can rest your weary legs.

Catering for all tastes, you can browse places to stay in Dorset by following the links below:

Hotels

B&Bs

Self Catering

Farmhouses

Pubs & Inns

Self Catering Agencies

Caravan & Camping