Sharing My Love for Dorset

Ukbreakaways have launched a competition inviting bloggers to share their passion for their most beloved UK destination, and this post is, all about my favourite place – Dorset.

Dorset was really the only place I could write about, as we love it so much that we travel down there for a visit at least once a year now. With its pretty, traditional seaside towns and stunning Jurassic coastline, plus the fact that it gets some of the country’s best weather each year, it is my favourite destination away from my home city of Manchester. The pace of life is relaxed and it’s a nice place to just get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, whilst evoking some cherished childhood memories of seaside holidays. Here are my top places to visit in Dorset:

Weymouth

Weymouth is my favourite of the English seaside towns, with its Georgian architecture along the seafront, the gorgeous golden sandy beach where sand sculptors create their masterpieces, and quaint cafes serving ice cream and Dorset cream teas. I love staying in the pastel-coloured holiday cottages overlooking the picturesque harbour where we can sit with fish and chips and watch the boats coming and going, and where the town’s best collection of wine bars and eateries can be found. There is so much to occupy your time in Weymouth that you could easily spend a week exploring this town alone.

Portland

The peninsula of Portland is Weymouth’s neighbour and is home to Portland harbour which was used for the sailing events during the 2012 Olympic Games. A trip to Portland Bill lighthouse and the rocky coast at the tip of the Isle of Portland feels as though you’re stood at the edge of the world!

Swanage and the Heritage Railway

Swanage is a smaller seaside town full of pretty shops, and its best attraction (in my view) is the heritage railway, where you can jump on a Hogwarts Express–style steam train and ride up to the village of Corfe. There you’ll find the ruin of Corfe castle, the inspiration behind the castle ruins in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books, and the Ginger Pop Shop full of Enid Blyton merchandise and memorabilia, which stirred up some happy childhood memories.

Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door

The rugged Jurassic Coast is the name given to the 95 miles of English coastline, which has been hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its geological history. Lulworth Cove is just one of the pretty spots along this coastline, and a walk around this area will showcase the lovely natural cove at Lulworth and the natural rock arch of Durdle Door.

Monkey World

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre is always the main reason for our visits to Dorset. We are huge fans of the TV show Monkey Life, and are supporters of the great work that they do at the park, rescuing and rehabilitating primates. It’s a nice place to visit to see all of the rescued animals, from chimpanzees and orangutans to the smaller monkeys. We are adoptive parents of one of their rescued chimps so it’s always nice to visit to see how he’s doing, along with all the other animals.

The great thing is that even after several visits, there’s still so much of Dorset for us explore!