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Uniting the two are this sunny county’s sunny disposition and approachable nature, not to mention a market renaissance that has Dorset’s bakeries, kitchens and restaurants catching up with its breweries and orchards. A single weekend down here can take you from ocean-view hike to Bridport brasserie; from Iron Age hill fort to sailing lessons in Poole Harbour (the second largest in the world). Neither London-on-sea trendy, nor too remote for a quick getaway, Dorset’s resorts and countryside are favourites for natural beauty, fair weather and good old-fashioned fun.
National Trust-owned Brownsea Island, the biggest of eight islands in Poole’s enormous natural harbour, is a Famous Five setting come to life, with no cars, no towns and no dogs allowed; instead, there are red squirrels, peacocks, pinewoods and heathland. There are great views of Studland and the Isle of Purbeck, and it’s no effort to get out and start walking, birdwatching (terns, herons, nightjars) or deer-spotting (+44 (0)1202 707744; www.nationaltrust.co.uk/brownsea).
… eating something from the sea at the Crab House Café in Wyke Regis (+44 (0)1305 788867), a no-frills former oyster depot that’s highly rated by professional foodies.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Dorset
Stripped wooden floors and quirky antiques partner vibrant bold-print papers and fabrics in a vintage-chic decorative scheme that's bound to win you over. Easy on the eye – and on the pocket – The Bull Hotel is the perfect base to spend a weekend wining, dining and unwinding on the Jurassic Coast.
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
April Badbury Rings are the prehistoric setting for the Portman Hunt’s annual point-to-point. May Sherborne Abbey Festival (www.sherborneabbey.org) is a week-long series of quality contemporary and classical concerts in beautiful surroundings. June Wimborne Folk Festival (www.wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk) brings bearded trad musicians and the women who love them to the streets of this civilised Dorset community. Bridport Food Festival (www.bridportfoodfestival.org.uk) is a celebration of the locally sourced and the organically raised. July Larmer Tree Festival (www.larmertreefestival.co.uk), with pop, folk and world music, fancy dress, and all the festival food, massage and daft entertainments you’ve come to expect. August The Great Dorset Steam Fair (www.steam-fair.co.uk) is a huge event combining – bewilderingly – heavy horses, traction engines, Punch & Judy stalls, terrifying funfair rides and pop acts. In Bournemouth, firework displays take place from the pier on Friday nights throughout August; and there’s classical summer entertainment, in the shape of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Classical Proms in Meyrick Park (www.bsolive.com).
Right on a National Trust beach, this alfresco favourite serves award-winning Somerset ice-cream, as well as smashing seafood lunches – the crab sandwiches are highly recommended. The café no longer takes reservations, so get there early to nab a table (www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk).
Beach Road, Burton Bradstock, near Bridport, Dorset DT6 4RF
There’s a walled-garden tearoom at this one-off historical attraction, housing 250 years’ worth of fashion in a fine Georgian house; tuck into a fine cream tea after peering at tiny-waisted Edwardian gowns. Open Thursdays–Mondays (www.cavalcadeofcostume.com).
Lime Tree House, The Plocks, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7AA
Eat something fresh from the sea at this no-frills seaside venue – formerly the Abbotsbury oyster depot, it’s highly rated by professional foodies.
Ferrymans Way, Portland Road, Wyke Regis, Dorset
Our favourite one-stop shop en route to the seaside for picnic hampers, from £12.50 a person (minimum four); and for Blue Vinney cheese and other local wonders. The café is family-friendly: don’t leave without trying a cream tea with home-made scones. Closed Sundays.
9 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8HZ
This long-established white-painted temple to simple seafood serves the very best fresh fish in an unfussy, charmingly seasidey setting, recommended for lunch and dinner alike; so beloved is it of critics, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, foodie families, etc, you’ll definitely need to book ahead.
West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EZ
In the attractive foyer of this revived arts hub, former River Cottage collaborator Gideon Hitchen rustles up simple, tasty lunches with fresh-as-a-daisy local produce. There's a cinema here too, if you fancy making a day of it.
35 South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NY
A Weymouth gastro-landmark – beloved of Bill Bryson, for one – this relaxed family-run local is set in a former merchant’s house facing the harbour. There’s a fixed-price lunch menu at £14.95 for two courses (www.perrysrestaurant.co.uk).
4 Trinity Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8TJ
Affording front-row seats for Bournemouth’s summer fireworks spectaculars, this water’s-edge bar and restaurant with a 140-foot decked verandah on the promenade serves great fish and seafood, from shellfish gazpacho to seabass with pine-nut crust to whole crab with tarragon mayonnaise. Perfect on a bright summer afternoon. There’s live jazz on Thursdays, too (www.west-beach.co.uk).
Pier Approach, Bournemouth BH2 5AA
Get yourself to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s countryside base in the Axe Valley for one of the gastro-fabulous day or evening events. It’s not a restaurant in the traditional sense; you’ll learn about seasonal, home-grown food and your tastebuds will get a tour of the produce too, in the form of deliciously simple dishes created by the River Cottage team. BYO or sample local organic wines. You’ll need to book your tickets well in advance; see www.rivercottage.net for details; you'll be given the exact location on booking.
Park Farm, Devon/Dorset borders
A rambling, part-thatched pub with flagstones, beams, assorted antlers and fresh flowers, the Museum Inn has a terrific restaurant, the Shed, worth booking ahead for, where you might eat grilled local lamb with aïoli, black treacle tart, and home-made bread (www.museuminn.co.uk).
Farnham, near Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8DE
The Tobagan chef at this much-praised pub cooks up jerk chicken and stewed pork; Dorset apple cake flies the local flag, and there’s a choice of local farm cider or Caribbean beer, as well as real ales and wines by the glass.
Marshwood Vale, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6HW
Another highly recommended dining pub, with excellent fish dishes and lobster on its menu, and a peerlessly pretty rural setting by a stream.
Corscombe, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 0NS
Another Hugh FW-endorsed Dorset stop for great seafood, where you can tuck into beer-battered fish ’n’ chips. Book in advance and ask for a table with a view.
23 Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3JF
This home-from-home gastropub, set in several rooms of a Grade II-listed Georgian house, is a fine place for a cosy drink – and the food is good too, if you need something to wash your gin and tonic down with…
6 South Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NQ
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