The glorious sweep of the West Dorset Coastline / Jurassic Coast provides a perfect setting for every kind of seaside adventure. Delightful seaside resorts like Charmouth, Lyme Regis and West Bay let you paddle or plunge into the sea, enjoy fishing trips, sailing regattas, or simply relax on the beach, please take the opportunity to view the Beach Safety Guide for details about the beaches and coastal activities in West Dorset and the RNLI Beach Guide. The dramatic heritage coastline offers spectacular views and with many walks and trails to follow, you're sure to find a perfect spot to unwind.
The towns of Bridport, Beaminster, Dorchester and Sherborne provide a contrast in experiences - bustling shopping areas, hand crafted delightful goods, there truly is something for everyone.
Bridport is a delightful West Dorset town, only 1½ miles from the sea at West Bay, which was formerly known as Bridport Harbour, or Haven. The town is 15 miles west of the County town of Dorchester and it is surrounded by many beautiful hills, with evidence of history back to Neolithic times.
The main streets of Bridport are among the widest in the west of England and street markets have been held since Queen Elizabeth the First granted a Saturday market, since supplemented by another on Wednesdays. Bridport has over 1000 "listed" buildings of historic or architectural merit, the Town Hall built in 1786 stands at the junction of East/West and South Streets. East and West Street became in the 13th century, the focus for the rope industry and net-working industry which brought wealth and the long, narrow rope-walks.
At the westerly end of the great shingle curve of Chesil Bank lays West Bay, once known as Bridport Harbour. The views are remarkable - to the west, Golden Cap and to the east the island of Portland. West Bay is within the Town boundary and is a busy harbour "village" with beaches, characteristic kiosks, fishing boats, pubs and restaurants.
Dorchester has it's roots deep in Roman history with many exhibits to be seen in the County Museum, but to get a feel for the real thing take a walk around Maumbury Rings, the town's Roman Amphitheatre or a look at the well preserved excavations of a Roman Town House in the grounds of County Hall. Just out of town en route for Weymouth you'll find the famous Iron Age Hill Fort, Maiden Castle a great place for a bracing afternoon stroll. With its fascinating history and location in one of the finest parts of Dorset, Dorchester has a blend of modern and old with shopping outlets to suit most tastes and pockets.
Weymouth is a great resort for all the family, with its safe bathing beach, picturesque harbour and a variety of attractions and events. Its popularity as a seaside resort is attributed to King George 111 who came to bathe in the sea as a health cure for his nervous disorder. Between 1789 and 1805 the King and members of the Royal Family spent fourteen holidays in Weymouth. The beach is superb and consists of sand which sweeps around the bay changing to shingle along the extended promenade. All the usual facilities are on hand, Punch & Judy, swing boats, trampolines, volleyball court and Weymouth's famous sand modeller.