Discover Dorset and the Surrounding Counties.

Dorset is bordered by the English Channel (south) and the counties of Devon (west), Hampshire (east), Somerset and Wiltshire (both north).

With miles and miles of sandy beaches and some of the best weather in the UK Dorset makes for a happy home.

Over half the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Dorset’s amazing natural features include Durdle Door, Pulpit Rock, Golden Cap, Lulworth Cove and Chesil Beach. The county also boasts 5 country parks too. Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour was voted Britain’s favourite nature reserve and the area around Wareham is recognised as the most botanically rich in the UK.

Dorset has nearly 100 miles of coastline with award winning, golden sandy beaches at Bournemouth Sandbanks, Christchurch, Swanage and Weymouth. Poole, Portland and Christchurch Harbours are great for a variety of watersports from kite surfing to paddle boarding.

Dorset has 364 more hours of sunshine throughout the year in comparison to the UK average.

The relaxed pace of life in Dorset makes you forget that London is only a two and half hour drive away. Let the train take the strain – there is a direct line from Waterloo to Weymouth, calling at Bournemouth, Poole, Wareham and Dorchester.

Stretching for 95 miles, the Jurassic Coast is the only natural World Heritage Site in England. Hunt for fossils at Charmouth or Kimmeridge and see if you can discover a dinosaur! If you fancy climbing the highest point along the south coast of England, head for Golden Cap – owned by the National Trust.

Over the centuries, the Dorset landscape has inspired artists, writers and scientists to produce outstanding work. A few of the literary giants include Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen and Enid Blyton with acclaimed artists such as Fra Newbury, Paul Nash, Turner and Charles Rennie Mackintosh all drawing inspiration from Dorset. More recently, West Bay was the backdrop to the award winning TV drama Broadchurch, written by Dorset resident Chris Chibnall.

Dorset truly had a summer to remember in 2012 with Weymouth and Portland hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events. The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy hosts international events and offers world class facilities for training the sailing stars for the future. The legacy has led to improvements in transport, jobs, roads, infrastructure, arts, sports, sailing and tourism.

Dorset is full of festivals. Take your pick from Dorset knob throwing, nettle eating, fossils, kites, waistcoats, arts, film, literary, walking, food, drink, music, flowers, hats, Christmas trees, Tolpuddle Martyrs and Camp Bestival.

With Dorset’s mild climate and fertile soil, the county is home to some of the finest local produce and coupled with fresh seafood, Dorset has a winning combination for fabulous food and drink. Our local produce draws in celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Lesley Waters and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Dare to tickle your taste buds with a Dorset Naga – one of the hottest chillis in the world.