The letters that appear after the name on the map really set the scene for this county. AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). We’re no doubt all familiar with these letters. They adorn some of the most special regions of the country. From the Cotswolds to the Malvern Hills, and so on. But there’s much and more that makes Dorset special in its own way. This is, after all, a county that has received nothing but high praise, has offered no shortage of inspiration and influence to TV shows, documentary makers, big-budget movies and of course poets, writers, painters and all manner of artists from decades and centuries long gone all the way up to the present day. From Gillingham down to the Isle of Portland, from Lyme Regis across to Christchurch, Dorset is teeming with a wealth of beauty, history, culture, relaxation – and fun! Feel free to pick at those aspects as you will. You can be sure to fit within your holiday time the perfect balance of all that appeals to you and your family.
Castles and Coves
The Jurassic Coast is known for many things, but foremost of these is its myriad fossils and other traces of rich history, some buried and maybe never to be found, but so many discovered, teaching us to this day how such a landscape has come into its own over time. Over millennia the elements have asked serious questions of not only the coast, but also some of the most amazing architecture left for us to enjoy today. These are the stunning castles, the ancient apotheoses of man’s expertise in fortification, practicality, beauty and its many designs.
When you visit Dorset the sheer potential for activity can seem overwhelming, but focusing on a selection of some of the best things is a good way to ensure your time is filled significantly. That might mean embarking on a hike to the sublime remains of Corfe Castle and stopping in the village and maybe browsing the Corfe Antiques Fair. Corfe Castle is a great place to start exploring the Purbeck peninsula and is in easy reach or Studland, Old Harry, Swanage and the Coast Path.
Lulworth Cove is another attraction unsurprisingly timeless. From the iconic natural archway known as Durdle Door, the beach and surrounding countryside, to Lulworth Castle and Lulworth itself, there will be no end to the enchantment and fun along every path and around every corner. This is a county that requires you to get out and about in order to fully appreciate all it has to boast. Explore, relax, then explore some more.
Where to Stay
Below you’ll find a selection of some of the best houses in which to stay during your holiday in Dorset. Rich themselves with character, quality and difference, these houses provide families time and again with the base from which to fully capture this magnificent county – this world that is Dorset.
Mangerton House. A beautiful house in a magical setting.
Just inland from the beach at Burton Bradstock, Mangerton House has it all. An indoor pool. A dipping pond. Luxurious living and sleeping spaces.
Holmegate House and Wing. Dive in, cosy up, be a family again.
Plucked from more innocent times, restored and reinvigorated, Dorset’s Holmegate sits close to the rocky romantic wash of Dorset’s Jurassic coast. Beyond the crunch of the gravel, adventures await. Dive into the pool in summer, cosy up by the fire in winter. Invade the games room, fire up the Aga, be a family once more.
Helping you find the best holiday homes
Why not have a look at our amazing handpicked holiday houses and cottages in Dorset
Choose from the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, Cornwall, London and so many more locations.
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