Dorset Visitor Travel Guide Page

We have compiled a travel and holiday information guide to help with your holiday stay in Dorset.

About Dorset

Dorset is on the south west coast of England and borders the Solent which runs between England and the Isle of Wight. The county town of Dorset is Dorchester and the county is known across the world for its UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Jurassic Coast where there is a hot bed of skeletons and fossil discoveries from the Jurassic period of the dinosaurs. Amazing sights and sounds on the coast include Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and the Isle of Portland. Dorset is also rife with seaside resorts such as Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Lyme Regis. Bournemouth and Poole are a hub of activity with their beach attractions and harbour life. In fact, Poole has the honour of being the second deepest harbour in the world, only falling behind Sydney, Australia. Dorset was also the home of legendary writer Thomas Hardy who found inspiration for his novels amongst the tranquil villages and beautiful countryside. Monkey World and the Dinosaur Museum give the kids something to look forward to as the adults will certainly be overawed by the miles of outstanding coastline the county has to offer.

Attractions within Dorset

Adventure Wonderland - Bournemouth, Dorset, BH23 6BA - Tel No: 01202 483 444 Adventure Wonderland is a fun packed family theme park with over 28 rides with new rides being added every year. Dinosaur Museum - Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1EW - Tel No: 01305 269 880 Museum devoted to dinosaurs with many life sized reconstructions of popular dinosaurs. Monkey World - Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HH - Tel No: 01929 462 537 The park is 65 acres in size with great facilities and has fifteen different species and over 240 primates at the park. See Full List of Attractions in Dorset

Dorsets History and Heritage Sites

Christchurch Castle - Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 Christchurch Castle and Norman House is a very rare example of Norman domestic architecture. These remains of Christchurch Castle contain parts of a round top keep. Lulworth Castle and Estate - East Lulworth, Dorset, BH20 5QS - Tel No: 0845 450 1054 This hunting lodge was built in the 17th Century in picturesque parkland location with views across the coast with visitor displays and galleries. Maiden Castle - South Dorchester, Dorset A large Iron Age hill fort of very complex design, the site is steeped in history with evidence of a late Iron Age cemetery. See Full List of History and Heritage Sites in Dorset

Towns and Villages in Dorset

Dorset has some lovely towns and villages to explore, below is a list with a short summary and link to more information about it and pictures. Bournemouth - stands apart from most other Dorset destinations as a bustling, modern tourist resort town... More... Broadstone - offers passing travellers a chance to holiday away from the bustle of Poole Harbour... More... Dorchester - stands alone as the county town of Dorset... More... Lyme Regis - and its storied harbour have welcomed travellers for centuries... More... Poole - offers plenty of attractions and activities fit for the entire family... More... Portland - boasts one of the largest man-made harbours in the world... More... Sherborne - can trace its origins as far back as the Saxon era of Britain's history... More... Weymouth - harbour has been an integral chapter in the town's past too... More... Wimborne - possesses a rather peculiar attraction known as the Wimborne Model Town... More...

Useful Contact Information for Dorset

Blandford Forum Tourist Information Centre 1 Greyhound Yard, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7EB Tel No: 01258 454770 Bournemouth Tourist Information Centre Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 2BU Tel No: 01202 451700 Bridport Tourist Information Centre 47 South Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NY Tel No: 01308 424901 Christchurch Tourist Information Centre 49 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1AS Tel No: 01202 471780 Dorchester Tourist Information Centre 11 Antelope Walk, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1BE Tel No: 01305 267992 Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre Guildhall Cottage, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3BS Tel No: 01297 442138 Poole Tourist Information Centre Enefco House, Poole Quay, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HJ Tel No: 01202 253253 Shaftesbury Tourist Information Centre 8 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8AE Tel No: 01747 853514 Sherborne Tourist Information Centre 3 Tilton Court, Digby Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3NL Tel No: 01935 815341 Swanage Tourist Information Centre The White House, Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1LB Tel No: 01929 422885 Wareham Tourist Information Centre Holy Trinity Church, South Street, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4LU Tel No: 01929 552740 Weymouth Tourist Information Centre The Pavilion, The Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8ED Tel No: 01305 785747 Wimborne Tourist Information Centre 29 High Street, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1HR Tel No: 01202 886116

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