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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Dorset, England
Discover the best top things to do in Dorset, United Kingdom including Jurassic Coast, Christchurch Priory Church, Bournemouth Beach, The Lulworth Cove, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, Durlston Country Park, Sandbanks Beach, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Poole Harbour, Hengistbury Head Beach.
Restaurants in Dorset
1. Jurassic Coast
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 220 reviews
We offer professional guided walks, tours and fossil hunts anywhere along the full length of the Jurassic Coast and surrounding areas. There is so much to be discovered within the World Heritage site. Not only is there 95 miles of breathtaking coastline, but delve a little deeper and you can physically 'walk throught time' as it reveals 185 million years of life on earth, showcasing the three Dinosaur periods known as Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. Let us guide you through time so you can experience the wonders that are to be discovered along the way...... We pride ourselves as being Ambassadors for the Jurassic Coast. Plan your walks with us and get the most from your visit, Learn more about the geology and fossils of this world famous coastline. Walks and tours can be tailored to suit all ages and abilities. They are led by a trained & experienced Coastal Leader. Walks and tours can be arranged for individuals, couples, families or groups.
Reviewed By 997DanielC - Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
If you want to avoid paying for parking you can park your cars higher up the hill and walk down to see the sights of the South English countryside. Once you reach the famous coast you'll see it is filled with rocks, watch your step because you can slip and maybe twist your ankle. Look up at the cliffs next to you and you'll history that dates back 80 million years back when dinosaurs still walked the Earth. You can also see that the cliff is in layers, each one piled on top of each other and showing a different time period. Surprisingly when you touch the stone it feels soft and brittle as it easily breaks off in your hands, sometimes some will rain on your head from above. Keep your eyes open and you may even find some real fossils trapped in huge rocks or in the cliff itself; the fossils are of sea creatures called ammonites.Keep walking out to the sea and you'll be surprised by how far you'll get since the rocks are hidden beneath the water, it almost looks like you're walking on the water. Follow the rocks around the edge of the cliff and you'll find some great photo opportunities suck as large rocks sitting on their own in the water that you can jump over too. Once you've finished here there is usually an ice cream van and a Mexican food van nearby, or you can go to the nearby village and visit a pub. Across the road is a museum all about the dinosaurs that had once lived here which takes about an hour to explore.
2. Christchurch Priory Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 936 reviews
Reviewed By trudyh51 - Maesteg, United Kingdom
Always make a visit to the priory it’s a beautiful building with fine architecture and historical interest. Kids are fascinated with the tombs inside and the graves in the floor. You’d expect teenagers to grumble but they loved it
3. Bournemouth Beach
4. The Lulworth Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
This 5-mile section of coast from White Nothe to Warbarrow Bay contains beaches, ecology, geology and beautiful walks.
Reviewed By ClaireAdamMoss - Ilfracombe, United Kingdom
We stayed in our campervan at Durdle Door to see the sights. Not knowing or having researched the area at all I am so very glad we took the walk to Lulworth Cove. Fantastic walk over the hills and down into the village below.Such stunning scenery, you really can not fail to be blown away by the beauty. We were pretty lucky that we had a relatively nice day and the visibility was good. We walked over to the Stair hole area and looked at the fascinating geological marvels of this coastline. The variety of rock formations and how nature has carved it's beauty in such wonderful ways. It has such diverse rock formations and as you carry on towards the headland the beauty of Lulworth cove becomes more evident with each step! Such beautiful views and we wish we had more hours in the day so we could have explored the fossil forest but will have to return to discover more. The village itself is lovely and extremely picturesque with a lovely little mill pond, leading to a stream, leading to the beach. Plenty of places to eat and drink and a lovely welcoming little place. So glad we made the visit!
5. Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,014 reviews
Reviewed By joeandstacey2015 - Greater London, United Kingdom
The walk due to social distancing is about 20 minutes over undulating terrain The walk was lovely and scenic and the view when you arrive at the costal path is well worth it The walk along the cliff top was excellent with stunning views over the sea towards Bournemouth The famous Durdle Dor was simply stunning and beautiful Man o war bay on the northern side is beautiful also We recommend early morning start to avoid the busy period and the endless stream of people heading down to the beaches It’s no wonder this place is one of the most photographed place in the UK! Well worth the effort to go.
6. Durlston Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,145 reviews
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve is the perfect place to start exploring Dorset’s Jurassic coast. Acres of wildflower meadows, sea cliffs, woodland, superb coastal walking and spectacular views await you. Durlston Castle also offers gallery exhibitions, the Seventhwave Café and visitor’s shop. A ranger is always on hand to help you get the most out of your day. Owned and managed by Dorset Council.
Reviewed By johnwF5100AB - Haversham, United Kingdom
Durston Country Park is situated on the cliffs with stunning views over Swanage Bay to Old Harry Rocks with Bournemouth & the Isle of Wight beyond. For the price of a car park ticket you can stroll around the beautiful grounds & enjoy dramatic sea views and a large variety of birds, insects, animals, plants flowers & trees making it a great experience for all. The Castle has a shop, restaurant/cafe with inside & outside seating, permanent as well as varying exhibitions of local art & photography and interesting educational features for kids of all ages. On this year's holiday we had breakfast there four times as it really is such a special place. Due to pesky Covid restrictions access to the lavatories is currently quite convoluted and although acccess for all has been improved this year the walks are hilly in places. Small prices to pay for such a special experience, take a camera and binoculars if you have them and you definitely won't regret it.
7. Sandbanks Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,813 reviews
Naturally beautiful, with its golden sand, Sandbanks Beach has been designated by the European Commission as one of the few areas in the United Kingdom which has achieved the highest standard of cleanliness. Sandbanks has held the highly coveted international Blue Flag for the past 30 years and offers a designed area for barbeques and swimmers. New slacklining posts have been installed. Equipment is available to hire from the beach office. Activities at Sandbanks include crazy golf, a children's play area and the Sandbanks Beach Cafe. The number 50 Wilts and Dorset bus from Bournemouth Station to Swanage stops near to the beach (generally every half hour in the summer). There is a car park next to the beach that holds 550 cars, 5 for disabled use.
Reviewed By charmainef308
Stunning come visit!!! Amazing blue flag beach, calm, quiet and wonderful views in all directions. Lovely to watch the sail boats go Past and watch the day go by.
8. Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 758 reviews
The Centre provides information on fossils, fossil hunting and the local coastal and marine wildlife. Facilities at the centre include interactive computers, hands on displays, marine tanks and a video microscope, all of which can help you to discover more about our stretch of the coastline. You will always find a helpful warden or volunteer who can help you identify your fossil finds. The Centre also has disabled access. Our Jurassic Theatre shows a short film on 'The Jurassic Coast and Finding fossils at Charmouth' (adults £1, children 50p). We also have a shop stocked with books for all levels, including some of our own publications, toys and souvenirs. Throughout the year we run guided fossil hunting walks and rockpooling walks along the local coastline. The Centre also has an extensive education programme. For information about the activities we have to offer to school groups please see our Primary Schools and Secondary Schools sections.
Reviewed By HKBracken - Oxford, United Kingdom
We loved this. Amazing fossil hunting guides who were patient, encouraging and enthusiastic (especially Dan) have turned my little girl into a modern day Mary Anning. We found a load of fossils and our children (5&4) are now completely fired up potential palaeontologists (as are their Mum and Dad). Thanks very much Charmouth Heritage Centre!
9. Poole Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,987 reviews
Reviewed By 512joannea - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
Well we’re away we like to visit all the different harbours.. So we thought we’d take a walk on this one.. Beautiful harbour lots of lovely boats to see.. Plenty of benches to sit and relax on to watch the world go by.. Must see if your in Poole..
10. Hengistbury Head Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,283 reviews
Reviewed By BillS3851 - Swindon, United Kingdom
Must go here, amazing coastal view and amazing walk, land train that my granddaughter loved , when we come to Bournemouth next will be making a trip back here
