What to do and see in Dorset, England: The Best Things to do

July 21, 2021 Diedre Savory

Discover the best top things to do in Dorset, United Kingdom including Jurassic Coast, Sculpture by the Lakes, Bournemouth Aviation Museum, Bournemouth Beach, Brownsea Island, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Sandbanks Beach, Hengistbury Head Beach, Weymouth Beach, The Cobb.
Restaurants in Dorset

1. Jurassic Coast

DT11 0JG England +44 1305 224132 [email protected] http://footscape.co.uk/contact
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 220 reviews

Jurassic Coast

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. Sculpture by the Lakes

Pallington Lakes, Dorchester DT2 8QU England +44 7720 637808 [email protected] http://sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,366 reviews

Sculpture by the Lakes

Beautiful 26 acre Sculpture Park & Gardens, with Gallery cafe. Due to deep water NO CHILDREN UNDER 14 years of age (including babies) and NO DOGS are allowed. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, hut bookings are from 10am to 4.45pm. Entry is £12.50 per person. The Gallery Cafe is now open serving tea, coffee, light meals, delicious cakes, cream tea's, ice creams etc., visitors can choose to eat inside, outside (at the newly created seating area), or take it out into the Sculpture Park using one of the picnic baskets provided, complete with rug. Visitors are able to enjoy the Gallery & Gallery Cafe without entry to the Sculpture Park. Described as one of the most beautiful & unique sculpture parks in the United Kingdom, Sculpture by the Lakes marries the soft beauty of nature's wild river landscape with the more formal presentation of monumental outdoor sculpture. It is that combination of art and landscape that inspires Sculpture by the Lakes.

Reviewed By matttJ1645KV

So so Tranquil.easy to find on Sat Nav.some beautifully thought out by some very friendly and approachable staff.going to go again as soon as.Alot of thought and sensitivity about and how each sculpture is placed.i highly recommend this venue for sculpture newbies.

3. Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Merritown Lane Hurn, Christchurch BH23 6BA England +44 1202 473141 [email protected] http://www.aviation-museum.co.uk
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 346 reviews

Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Reviewed By TimB3691

Lots of aircraft cockpits to sit in.really liked the Vulcan bomber cockpit. The 737 aircraft exhibit is great.

4. Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth England
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,703 reviews

Bournemouth Beach

Reviewed By Scottishlynne - Wimborne Minster, United Kingdom

Lovely golden sands and great walks along the seafront, plenty of photo opportunities with surfers and cruise ships.

5. Brownsea Island

Poole BH13 7EE England +44 1202 707744 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,407 reviews

Brownsea Island

Owned by the National Trust, Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole Harbour, with spectacular views across to the Purbeck Hills. Thriving natural habitats - including woodland, heathland and a lagoon - create a unique haven for wildlife, such as the rare red squirrel and a wide variety of birds, including dunlin, kingfishers, common and sandwich terns and oystercatchers. The Outdoor Centre invites you to come and follow in the footsteps of Lord Baden-Powell and the very first Scouts who camped here in 1907. Scout and Guide Groups can camp and get stuck in with activities such as archery and low ropes and we also offer Eco Adventure Camping as an opportunity for the general public to come and experience the great outdoors. The perfect day's adventure - this island wildlife sanctuary is easy to get to but feels like another world from the moment you step ashore.

Reviewed By martinsomers32 - Bristol, United Kingdom

Excellent visit to a hidden gem on the South coast after a pleasant boat trip the island was a good p!ace to walk and explore with a good place to see rare red squirrels with peasants peacocks and wild deer good views on a clear day.

Promenade East Cliff, Bournemouth BH1 3AA England +44 1202 451858 [email protected] http://russellcotes.com
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,118 reviews

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Private home of extensive travelers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Lady Annie was one of the last Victorian manor houses ever built.

Reviewed By nigelcymru - Conwy, United Kingdom

Excellent museum especially for lovers of Victoriana Good collection of Victorian and pre raphaelite paintings Quirky building with an encyclopaedic collection of architectural styles I would recommend a visit

7. Sandbanks Beach

Banks Road, Poole BH13 7QQ England https://new.poole.gov.uk/sports-and-leisure/beaches/our-beaches/sandbanks-beach/
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,813 reviews

Sandbanks Beach

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. Hengistbury Head Beach

Bournemouth BH6 4EN England [email protected]
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,283 reviews

Hengistbury Head Beach

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

9. Weymouth Beach

Weymouth England
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,783 reviews

Weymouth Beach

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!

10. The Cobb

Lyme Regis England http://www.lymeregis.com/the-cobb
Excellent
62%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,143 reviews

The Cobb

Reviewed By gregoryd762

We last went here in 1996. Great to revisit. Featured in Jane Austen's " Persuasion" and " The French Lieutenants Woman" , this historic breakwater provides great views over the harbour and reeks with atmosphere. A grey but dry ( for a llittle while) day with no wind- an excellent time to visit. Wonderful place.

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