Discover Dorset in just six days! Whether it’s your first visit to the county, or you love coming back, this is our guide to making the most of a six-day break in the county.
Day 1 - Explore Weymouth
Wander around the old harbour. This picturesque haven has sheltered ships for centuries. A thriving port in the medieval period, it was a base for ferries to the Channel Islands until quite recently.
It’s still home to fishing vessels, and to boats offering trips out into the bay and into the vast man-made harbour at Portland.
Prefer to keep your feet on dry land? Discover the independent shops and relax at one of the cafes. It’s a treat to eat fish and chips on the quayside.
Discover the beach. If it was good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for everyone else. The wide, shallow sandy beach is a great place to build castles and splash in the sea. There’s a lovely walk along the promenade, from the harbour all the way to Bowleaze Cove.
Find your way to Nothe Fort. For centuries, Weymouth people worried about being harassed by French raiders. The fort was the last great defence built to protect them, although by the time it went up, the threat of invasion had gone away. However, there’s lots to see inside.
Day - 2 Abbotsbury and Lyme Regis
Go west, into rural Dorset and almost into Devon. Like much of Dorset, it’s a landscape of villages and small towns.
Lyme Regis is just over an hour from us when you take the scenic coast road, B3157, from Weymouth.
Abbotsbury Swannery and Subtropical Gardens. The Swannery is unique – there’s nowhere like it in the world. How the colony began, no one knows, but medieval monks crafted it into somewhere favoured by the majestic white birds.
The nearby Subtropical Gardens are a scenic delight, boasting an amazing array of plants from across the world. Don’t miss the nearby craft workshops at the massive abbey barn.
Walk the Cobb at Lyme Regis. Made famous in films and on TV, the enormous stone seawall, the Cobb, offers stunning views of the coast. Lyme’s also known for its fossils, which you can find on the beach or, perhaps more easily, in the shops.
Day 3 - Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
No visit to Dorset is complete without paying your respects to the world-renowned natural rock arch of Durdle Door. It features in a growing number of films. Lulworth Cove is about a 20-minute drive from us.
Walk around Lulworth Cove. The almost perfect circle of Lulworth Cove is a lovely place to stroll beside the sea.
Be awed by Durdle Door. The hillside path from Lulworth is a bit of a climb, but it’s worth it to see the limestone rock arch. Rest your feet and enjoy a drink at Lulworth after your adventure.
Day 4 - Isle of Purbeck
It’s not really an island, but Purbeck’s called an isle because marshes used to separate it from much of the rest of Dorset. Swanage, the biggest town in the area, is about a 45-minute drive from us.
Dramatic Corfe Castle. Even as a ruin, Corfe Castle is intimidating. The remains of the fortress overlook a picturesque Dorset village, and both are intriguing to explore.
Seaside Swanage. Quieter than Weymouth, Swanage also has a wonderful sandy beach, plus a Victorian pier. Enjoy a wander around independent shops, and you might even stumble across one of Dorset’s family-owned chocolate makers.
Day 5 - Poole Quay and Brownsea Island
Unlike Purbeck, Brownsea is a genuine island. It’s also one of England’s last havens for red squirrels. If you plan to go, check out the sailing times to avoid disappointment. Poole Quay is a 45-minute drive from us.
Historic Poole Quay. The quay is at the heart of old Poole, where sea captains (some of them pirates) once raised their crews and planned their trips. Don’t miss the recently redeveloped museum.
Take a boat to Brownsea Island. Rich in wildlife, and free of cars, Brownsea is a rare haven. There are lots of footpaths and boardwalks, allowing you to roam through the woodlands and wetlands.
Day 6 - Dorchester and Thomas Hardy Country
The county town of Dorset was home to one of Britain’s literary giants, Thomas Hardy. Two of his houses are open to visitors, while his study is now inside the Dorset Museum. Dorchester is less than 20 minutes from us.
Follow in Hardy’s footsteps. Hardy was born just outside the town. His birthplace cottage is open to visitors. It’s among the woodlands and heaths where he played and walked as a child. The house he later built for himself, Max Gate, can also be visited.
Walk where Romans walked. If you want to see Thomas Hardy’s study, you need to visit the Dorset Museum. Even if you’re not interested in Hardy, there’s plenty to see, including massive fossils, displays on smuggling and a Roman mosaic you’re allowed to walk on.
Day 7 And Beyond
After six days you’ll have realised there’s so much more to see and do in Dorset. Maybe it’s time to book another holiday here.
