Dorset is one of the sunniest places in England, even in the winter. It might not be warm enough for sunbathing, but it’s ideal for getting out and discovering places without the crowds of summer visitors.
Here are our suggestions for things you can do in Dorset this winter.
Enjoy the dramatic Jurassic Coast
There’s something magical about an empty beach on a crisp winter’s day. It’s just you, the sea and the sky. On some days the water barely seems to move along the edge of the beach.
At other times our coast is more boisterous, as waves dance along the base of cliffs, and swoosh across the beaches. Enjoy the exhilaration of the sea trying to splash you, as you stand on one of our coastal defences.
Of course, there are times when you really do need to stand well back, as a storm throws itself against our harbour walls and beaches. You can still enjoy the drama from a safe distance.
Weymouth, just down the road from us, is a great place to experience the Dorset coast in winter. Plus it has plenty of cafes where you can enjoy a hot drink.
Weymouth seafront is less than a 15-minute drive from us and there are several car parks in the area.
For more ideas read our page about short winter walks in Dorset.
Explore Dorset Museum and Art Gallery
When you’re looking for somewhere warm, dry and interesting, pay a visit to the county museum in Dorchester.
It’s home to an amazing four million objects (don’t worry, you’re not required to look at every one of them) that span thousands of years of history.
Love Romans? There’s plenty of that to enjoy. When you do venture outside, there’s a Roman town house on display nearby – the only one of its kind in the country.
Fossils? Dorset’s famous for them and the museum has plenty. They include some sea monsters with enormous teeth.
There’s plenty of art to enjoy – it’s also a gallery. Visit the museum website to find out about special exhibitions and events this winter.
Dorset Museum is a 15-minute drive from us. There are several car parks in Dorchester.
Climb Colmers Hill
Let’s get outside again – this time, a short distance inland. Colmers Hill, near Bridport, is a landmark you can’t miss. It makes for a wonderful walk, rewarding you with fine views of Dorset from the summit.
If you’re brave, take a flask, sandwiches and a blanket to enjoy a winter picnic in some of Dorset’s great outdoors.
The stroll is ideal for the shorter days of this time of year. It’ll take you perhaps 45 minutes to reach the top from the free car park nearby, on the Symondsbury Estate. There’s good news in that the estate boasts a cafe and shops, giving you somewhere to warm up and something to look forward to indoors.
The walk up is a relatively steep but steady slope. You’ll want boots as you’ll be crossing a field or two.
Symondsbury Estate is a 40-minute drive from us. There’s a free car park.
Discover Athelhampton House
It’s time to nip back indoors, this time to one of Dorset’s oldest great houses. Athelhampton is a rare survivor, with the rooms at its core almost unchanged since it was built in 1485.
If you love really old houses with walls that whisper generations of history, you won’t want to miss this place. It’s been painstakingly restored for many years, with the latest changes exposing a historic kitchen that was hidden behind Formica.
Thomas Hardy was a regular visitor at the house, which has a complex history. It was split between different owners and for years was little more than a farm building. All this meant it escaped being knocked down and rebuilt by the Georgians and the Victorians, which allows us to enjoy its Tudor grandeur.
The house often runs special events and has two restaurants.
Athelhampton House is about a 20-minute drive from us. It’s part of the Historic Houses Association.
Visit St George’s Church on Portland
For our final stop we’re going to Portland, the almost-island where there’s plenty to see. We’re suggesting St George’s because there’s something particularly mysterious about ancient graveyards on a misty winter’s day.
St George’s is a masterpiece of Georgian architecture, built from the stone for which the island is famous. It’s no longer an active church, but it’s open to visitors.
The large cemetery contains graves of a woman shot by the press gang, a warder murdered in Portland Prison and a man killed in the Great Gale of 1824. What other tales can be deduced from the many headstones?
The church itself has original Georgian box pews, two pulpits, balconies to climb and a bell you can ring (but not too often, please).
While you’re on Portland you might also want to visit the Bill, Tout Quarry Sculpture Park, and Portland Castle.
St George’s Church is a 30-minute drive from us. There’s a free car park across the road.
Come back to your cosy cottage
Just a short distance from Dorchester and Weymouth, we’re ideally placed for exploring Dorset. When you stay with us, you’re assured there’s always a cosy cottage to come back to. To discover what cottages are available this winter, give us a call on 01305 853970 or send us a message. One of us is in the office, seven days a week.
