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What to do and see in Dorset, England: The Best Outdoor Activities
Discover the best top things to do in Dorset, United Kingdom including Jurassic Safari, Studland to Swanage Trail, Bournemouth Beach, The Lulworth Cove, Sandbanks Beach, Hive Beach, Hengistbury Head Beach, Weymouth Beach, Monmouth Beach, Chesil Bank (Chesil Beach).
Restaurants in Dorset
1. Jurassic Safari
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 250 reviews
Sit back, relax and enjoy Dorset's spectacular scenery and wildlife on our 'Park Farm ATV Safari', venturing into 52 acres of beautiful countryside. Your guide will share some fascinating local history and a few quirky Dorset tales along the way. Refreshments, including homemade baked goods, are offered on every safari. Our aim is to leave you with unforgettable memories and an experience to talk about.
Reviewed By RF1979 - Kettering, United Kingdom
We did the Park Farm ATV safari as a family in August and it was great. We were a family of 5 - 2 adults and 3 children (6,9 and 11). Gary was a perfect host and made us all feel very welcome and comfortable and involved everyone in the conversation on the way round the tour. His knowledge of the local area and the farmland was brilliant and he definitely made you think about the wonderful wildlife we have in this country. The kids loved it as well. We would like to come back and do one of the Landdrover trips when all in the world is back to normal and we are allowed again. Well done, great experience!
2. Studland to Swanage Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
A spectacular walk on the South West Coast Path that takes you from the village of Studland past the famous landmark of Old Harry – the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site - and on to Swanage.
Reviewed By davidgZ9308PO - Crowthorne, United Kingdom
We walked from South beach car park up to Old Harry's Rocks then up to Ballard Down , then back to the village. The views are amazing and although you are ascending all the time, it is quite gentle climb. Worth going early to get parked but also before the crowds
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. 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.
6. Hive Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 636 reviews
Reviewed By JanineW264 - Addlestone, United Kingdom
This was a wonderful find, with the bonus of National Trust Members being able to park for free!! The car park is large and is one both sides of the road. The walk to the beach is a short gentle slope. The shingle is fine and therefore not too difficult for us 50+ people. There is a small, and very informative, National Trust Shop (where you can also join up to become a member), as well as a very busy café overlooking the bay. There are miles to walk along the Jurassic coast and warnings not to sit under overhanging cliffs. We walked up the green hill to the east arriving at a small Pill Box - quite a steep walk should you have breathing difficulties, but manageable with stops. Would certainly recommend for families and people of all ages, maybe take a picnic to avoid the café queues. The toilets were slightly disappointing in that they were smelly and without toilet paper on this particular occasion, but we would certainly want to return to this beach.
7. 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
8. Weymouth Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,783 reviews
Reviewed By JaneB27272727 - Weymouth, United Kingdom
Weymouth beach is beautiful. Very safe with great staff and lots to do - donkeys, rides, cafes, soft sand, warm water, life guards, kayaks, pedalos, beach huts etc. Classic English seaside fun!
9. Monmouth Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 265 reviews
Reviewed By JennyGlos - Wotton-under-Edge, United Kingdom
Lovely spot to lose yourself for a few hours, get engrossed rooting around for fossils and listening to the sound of the waves breaking against the pebbles.
10. Chesil Bank (Chesil Beach)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 945 reviews
Reviewed By MrsWYN-R - Somerset, United Kingdom
First visit to Chesil Beach from the Portland end. Still fabulous and interesting. Love all the pebbles and the sloping beach that stretches for miles. Great for photographs and to get the sea air. Car park and visitors centre with cafe located nearby. Great escape.
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