Rolling hillsides, dramatic cliffs, sweeping coastlines, sleepy villages, bustling towns and quiet countryside can be found right on the doorstep. West Dorset is an explorer's paradise. For there is sun, sea, adventure and you'll find beautiful old churches, small stores and country post offices selling fine local produce, craft workshops, pubs with good food to savour, ponies to ride, activity holidays, lazy days and 25 miles of paths to ramble along the magnificent world heritage coastline.
Chesil beach The region is almost entirely designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. It has inspired poets, authors, film directors and TV personalities from Henry Fielding and John Fowles to Nick Berry and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. And then there is the giant headland Golden Cap, a sight to behold and the remarkable Chesil Beach has been the site of many a shipwreck.
The west Dorset coast is world famous for its rocks and fossils dating back to the Jurassic period 190 million years ago, so much so that the stretch between West Bay and Lyme Regis has been dubbed the Jurassic Coast and fossil-hunters flock to the area. It now has World Heritage Site status. Regular guided fossil-hunting walks are run from the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
The towns of Bridport, Lyme Regis, Beaminster and Sherborne each have their own varied attractions. Looking across the rooftops of Bridport towards St Mary's Church (Image: NQ) Bridport and its neighbouring resort West Bay are vibrant an.