Author: Horizon Cottages - January 6, 2022
Last updated: September 1, 2024
Dorset is a county in southern England with a long and rich history. It's home to many beautiful beaches and coves, including West Bay, Lulworth Cove and Stadland Bay.
Dorset is also home to the New Forest, an area of some 566 square kilometres, containing vasty areas of unspoilt woodland, heathland and river valleys.
If you are looking for location for your next family holiday, Dorset could be the perfect destination. It offers everything you could hope for - great sights, activities, and delicious food.
In this article we discover 5 towns to visit in Dorset.
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Dorset's largest town is the coastal resort of Bournemouth with a population of 183,491 at the 2011 census.
Known for its sandy beaches, Bournemouth offers up stunning views of scenic ocean and visitors can experience an abundance of outdoor activities such as surfing, kite surfing, and paddle boarding.
There are plenty of restaurants and shops to visit in the town and plenty of places to see including Bournemouth Pier with roots dating back to 1856 when a 100ft jetty was completed.
If you're looking for a lovely seaside town to visit, then Lyme Regis, sometimes dubbed the Pearl of Dorset, is a great choice. It offers an array of shops, beautiful beaches and great facilities for the whole family.
The area is known for the famous Jurassic Coast, and dinosaur fans should seek out the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum in the town.
Poole is a large coastal town, seaport and tourist resort in Dorset and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. mid-2016 census estimates put Poole's population at 151,500 making it the second-largest town in Dorset.
The earliest recorded use of the town's name was in the 12th century when the town began to emerge as an important port. In the Second World War, Poole was one of the main departing points for the Normandy landings.
Poole has a commercial port with cross-Channel freight and passenger ferry services, which connect with the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the French port town of Saint-Malo, Brittany.
If you're looking for a great seaside town to visit, Weymouth is the perfect choice. It's got good choice of great shops, restaurants, and bars. You'll also find some of the best beaches in the country here.
SEA LIFE Weymouth has 13 different zones and is home to over 1,000 creatures. It's also home to Pisces III, a famous 20ft-long 'small' submarine, which in 1973 endured a dramatic rescue with two crew on board in a 72-hour ordeal.SEA LIFE Weymouth opened in 1983, making it the UK's second oldest SEA LIFE after Oban.
You'll find some of the best surfing in Dorset at Swanage, a great seaside town. You can enjoy surfing lessons, beach breaks, and some of the best family activities in the area.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of places to visit in Dorset. Other towns of note include Christchurch, Ferndown, and Bridport.
Inspired to take a break in Dorset? Here are some holiday cottages in the places mentioned in this blog!
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