Explore beyond Bournemouth and discover beautiful countryside and picturesque towns and villages steeped in history, just waiting to be discovered. Whether you venture north, east, or west of Bournemouth, you’ll be sure to find something to explore.
Dorset and the surrounding area offer natural beauty, providing some of the most stunning scenery in the country. Home to rolling hills, rugged coastline, lush forest, and, of course, mile after mile of fantastic golden sandy beaches, the county is easily accessible and tailor made for exploring by car, foot, or bike.
Here are a few places to get you started.
The seaport town of Poole is home to the second-largest natural harbour in the world. The historic quay area offers many types of boat trips along this magnificent stretch of coastline. Don’t forget to hop over to Brownsea Island, a wonderful nature reserve owned by the National Trust.
Wimborne
Wimborne is a quaint market town with a lovely square and the beautiful 12th-century Wimborne Minster. The town has a very lively three-day folk festival in early June.
Weymouth
Weymouth, located to the west of Dorset, is a busy harbour town. Chesil Bank and the Fleet Nature Reserve are located nearby.
Studland
The small village of Studland is on the Isle of Purbeck. It's known for its National Trust beach and nature reserve, which is home to all six types of British reptiles. Studland Bay, protected by Old Harry Rocks, has great views of the Isle of Wight, and Studland itself served as Enid Blyton’s inspiration for Toytown in the classic Noddy books.
Just inside the Wiltshire border to the north is Salisbury, whose cathedral has the tallest spire in the UK. The cathedral also has the best preserved copy of the original Magna Carta. Steeped in legend and folklore, the Salisbury area also boasts one of Britain’s best historic sites, Stonehenge.
Corfe Castle is an iconic survivor of the English Civil War, with over 1,000 years of history packed into its dramatic ruins. Perched on a hill, the castle site has great panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, overlooking the delightful village.
In the most easterly borough of Dorset is Christchurch, whose harbour is the meeting point for the rivers Avon and Stour. The impressive Priory, which gives the town its name, dates from the 11th-century, while the ruins of Christchurch Castle predate the Norman Conquest. The art deco Regent Centre stages plays and films, and the town holds a weekly market.
