From the dramatic cliffs of the Jurassic Coast and the iconic limestone arch of Durdle Door to historic castles, traditional seaside towns and rolling countryside, Dorset is one of England’s most beautiful and varied counties. Whether you’re planning a holiday, a weekend break or simply looking for somewhere new to explore, you’ll find an incredible variety of places to visit and things to do throughout the county.
Dorset Guide is a free, independent, non-commercial guide created by local enthusiasts who are passionate about sharing the very best of Dorset. Our aim is to provide accurate, practical and up-to-date information to help you make the most of your visit. From famous attractions and beautiful beaches to scenic walks, museums, gardens, boat trips and hidden corners of the county, you’ll find hundreds of detailed guides designed to help you discover everything Dorset has to offer.
Top Dorset Attractions
Discover Dorset’s most famous natural landmarks, historic attractions, museums and family days out.
Natural Landmarks
Durdle Door • Lulworth Cove • Old Harry Rocks • Poole Harbour • Hengistbury Head • Chesil Beach • Best Dorset Beaches
Historic Attractions
Corfe Castle • Tank Museum • Dorset Museum • Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum • Poole Museum •
Family Attractions
Monkey World • Abbotsbury Swannery • Bournemouth Oceanarium • Dorset Heavy Horse Farm • Splashdown •
Coastal & Visitor Attractions
Brownsea Island • Swanage Railway • Bournemouth Pier Zip • Bournemouth Big Wheel • Sightseeing Bus
Gardens
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens • Sculpture by the Lakes • Compton Acres • Bournemouth Lower Gardens •
See also: Dorset Beach Guide • Dorset Boat Trips and Harbour Cruises • All Dorset Attractions
Dorset Coastal Towns and Villages
Bournemouth • Weymouth • Poole Quay • Poole Old Town • Swanage • Lyme Regis • West Bay • Sandbanks • Mudeford Quay • Christchurch • Abbotsbury • Wareham • Worth Matravers • Studland Village • West Lulworth • Westbourne
Rural Dorset
Shaftesbury • Sherborne • Corfe Castle Village • Dorchester • Wimborne Minster • Bridport • Blandford Forum • Milton Abbas • Cerne Abbas • Sturminster Newton • Evershot • Beaminster
Dorset Castles
Corfe Castle • Highcliffe Castle • Lulworth Castle • Sherborne Castle • Sherborne Old Castle • Christchurch Castle •
Dorset Historic Houses and Gardens
Kingston Lacy • Mapperton House • Athelhampton House • Forde Abbey • Minterne House • Upton Country Park • Kingston Maurward • Cranborne Manor • Edmondsham House • Deans Court
Adventure Activities in Dorset
Dorset Walks • Boat Trips and Harbour Cruises • Boat Hire • Bike Hire • Cycle Routes • Paddleboarding • Kayaking • Dinghy Sailing • Windsurfing • Kitesurfing • Scuba Diving
Dorset Beaches (East to West)
Dorset Beaches listed from east to west: Highcliffe Beach • Highcliffe Castle Beach • Friars Cliff Beach • Avon Beach • Mudeford Sandbank • Hengistbury Head • Southbourne Beach • Fishermans Walk • Boscombe Beach • Bournemouth Beach • Durley Chine • Middle Chine • Alum Chine • Branksome Dene • Branksome Chine • Canford Cliffs • Flaghead Chine • Sandbanks Shore Road • Sandbanks Beach • Shell Bay Beach • Studland Beaches • Swanage Beach • Kimmeridge Bay • Lulworth Cove • Man O War Bay • Durdle Door • Ringstead Bay Beach • Osmington Mills • Weymouth Beach • Chesil Beach • Hive Beach • West Bay Bridport • Charmouth Beach • Seatown Beach • Lyme Regis Beaches • Best Dorset Beaches • Dorset Beaches Listing