The main towns of Dorset
Bournemouth
Bournemouth, the largest town in Dorset, with its seven miles of soft, golden sands and sheltered bathing waters is a perfect location for a traditional English seaside holiday. More on... Bournemouth
Bridport
Situated 15 miles along the A35 road to the west of Dorchester, and just 2 miles inland from West Bay, Bridport is another ideal base for exploring West Dorset and the Jurassic coast. More on... Bridport
Christchurch
Although within the historic county boundaries of Hampshire, the local government re-organisation of 1974 moved Christchurch into the administration of Dorset County Council. More on... Christchurch
Dorchester
The town was founded by the Romans, who named the site Durnovaria and today Dorchester is the county town of Dorset. As well as having many attractions of its own, it is an outstanding base for exploring West Dorset and the neighbouring counties of Devon and Somerset. More on... Dorchester
Lyme Regis
Just three hours drive from London or the Midlands, visitors to Lyme Regis often imagine themselves returning to a bygone era. Set next to the Channel and surrounded by the unspoilt West Dorset countryside. More on... Lyme Regis
Poole
Poole provides an exciting mixture of beautiful beaches, the second largest natural harbour in the world, water sports, shopping, dining and world renowned attractions. More on... Poole
Shaftesbury
Many people of a certain age will remember the Hovis advert from 1973 showing a small boy pushing a bike full of loaves of bread up the cobbled street of a 'northern town'. More on... Shaftesbury
Sherborne
Despite its relatively small size Sherborne has been blessed with a number of significant historic buildings dating back some 1,000 years including 2 castles, both of which are administered by English Heritage and open to visitors. More on... Sherborne
Swanage
Less than 10 miles from the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth and Poole, Swanage offers a very different holiday experience. Sheltered from the prevailing winds by the Purbeck Hills it has its own micro-climate. More on... Swanage
Wareham
Wareham is an historic market town. It has its own railway station on the London (2hrs 20 mins. journey time) to Weymouth (30 mins.) main line and enjoys regular half hourly services from 0630 to 2400. It also served by the hourly bus route from Poole to Swanage. More on... Wareham
Weymouth
The history of tourism in Weymouth goes back to the late 18th Century when the Duke of Gloucester, King George III's brother, encouraged him to immerse himself in seawater to help cure his nervous disorder. More on... Weymouth
Wimborne
The two towers of Wimborne Minster cannot be missed as they dominate the skyline across the water meadows. The Minster which was built by the Normans between 1120 and 1180, is the focal point of the town centre and its neighbouring lawns are a popular meeting and resting place. More on... Wimborne
The smaller towns of Dorset
Beaminster
A small market town situated some 7 miles north of Bridport along the A3066, Beaminster was once a thriving wool, cloth and rope centre. The nearest station is at Crewkerne, also around 7 miles away. Regular hourly buses run from Bridport and a limited service runs from Yeovil via Crewkerne.
Bere Regis
Bere Regis is situated approximately half way between Poole to Dorchester at the junction of the A31 and A35 roads. It is served by a 2 hourly bus service which links the 2 towns and the nearest stations are Wool 6 miles and Wareham 7 miles.
Within 5 miles of Bere Regis are the attractions of Monkey World, Tolpuddle Matyrs Museum, Bovington Tank Museum, Farmer Palmers Farm Park and Cloud's Hill, the cottage where Lawrence of Arabia spent the last few weeks of his life before being fatally injured in a motorcycle accident on the road to Bovington Camp in May 1935.
Thanks to its by-pass Bere Regis is a relatively quiet place to visit, and its main claim to fame is its 15th century church with a Norman arcade, and the carving of the twelve Apostles clad in colourful 15th century dress.
Blandford Forum
The town which was virtually rebuilt following a fire in the 1730s rests on the banks of the River Stour and its buildings have changes little since. It is situated some 15 miles north west of Poole and 12 miles south of Shaftesbury. It enjoys a hourly bus service to Poole and a limited service to Dorchester and Weymouth, but is several miles form the nearest railway station.
Centred around its historic market place Blandford has a small shopping centre with the usual array of shops ant eating places and you can visit the Hall & Woodhouse brewery. It is also the location of the Royal Signals Museum at the nearby Army Camp.
Just down the road is Tarrant Hinton the home of the Great Dorset Steam Fair. From small beginnings this annual event has become one of the favoured places for those interested in how people lived, worked and played in bygone years and it is now widely recognised as the leading show of its type in the World. The spectacle covering an enormous showground of over 600 acres is one of Europe's largest outdoor event locations. www.gdsf.co.uk.
Also nearby is Kingston Lacy an elegant country mansion, set in attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland and well known for its magnificent display of snowdrop in early spring, and 8 miles to the west is Milton Abbas, an outstanding example of the uniform cobb and thatch cottages of an 18th century estate village.
Gillingham
Gillingham is located some 30 miles north of the dorset coast on the upper reaches of the River Stour. Its railway station is on the main line from London to Exeter and is just a short drive from Shaftesbury. It has a range of small shops and restaurants and a large Waitrose supermarket.
Along with other Dorset towns it has connections with John Constable whose painting of the old Town Bridge can be seen in the Tate Gallery in London, and nearby is the famous National Trust House and Gardens at Stourhead.
Sturminster Newton
Sturminster Newton is situated on the A357 road halfway between Blandford Forum and Templecombe, the location of its nearest railway station 10 miles away. It is served by the bus route from Blandford to Shaftesbury with up to 10 buses a day.
After accessing the town from the A357 by crossing the historic 17th century bridge with its 6 arches, you will find a traditional Dorset with the usual mixture of shops, pubs and restaurants with market day on Mondays.
In the town centre is a small museum which has recently been completely updated thanks in part to Heritage Lottery funding and on the other bank of the Stour is the Mill, which is still in full working order. Here visitors can appreciate how the power of nature can be used to assist in the production of a staple food for the local community.
