Dorset sits on England’s Jurassic Coast. Well known for its fossils, crystal clear waters, rolling English hills & some of the best beaches on offer in the United Kingdom. It’s also a great destination for a weekend getaway, there are plenty of things to do in this part of the country to keep you busy over your 3 days in Dorset. Trust us, you’ll be planning another weekend here before your first one has even ended.
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Visit Dorset who hosted us during our stay & organised many of the awesome activities we are going to share below. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.
When is the best time to visit Dorset?
Dorset is popular with domestic & international travellers alike (for good reason, it is beautiful)! Therefore, in the summer months (July – August) you will find that the beaches are on par with what you would expect from somewhere like the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Expect the county to be heaving with tourists, parking can become an issue & your idea of a peaceful escape may be a distant dream.
The best time to visit Dorset is undoubtedly in the Spring/early Summer (April – June) & outside of school/public holidays. This is the best way to avoid the summer crowds, but still take advantage of the pleasant weather during these months. We recently visited in June & had glorious sunshine every day. But the crowds hadn’t arrived just yet, we can only imagine how busy it does get.
How to get there/around?
It would be best to self-drive in Dorset if you can. The county is quite spread out & driving times are longer than you would expect, due to the smaller country roads. A journey from East to West Dorset can take up to 1.5 hours. If you don’t have your own car, you can easily rent one from any of the well-known rental companies.
Alternatively, if you are unable to drive for whatever reason there is the option of utilising the Jurassic Coaster bus. Which runs from Poole Harbour in the East to Lyme Regis in the West of Dorset. This bus service mostly sticks to the coast but does dip inland to some areas. If you are following this itinerary & choose to use the bus, just make sure that the bus makes a stop where you need to go, as we haven’t used the bus ourselves.
If you are travelling from London the good news is that Dorset is very accessible. For this itinerary, you could catch a train to either Swanage, Bridport, Dorchester or Lyme Regis & then from these locations either rent a car or use the Jurassic Coaster. Time will vary depending on your destination, but roughly from London you are looking at 3-3.5 hours on the train.
Where to stay in Dorset?
As previously mentioned, Dorset is quite a large county, so it really does depend on which areas you are most keen to see during your weekend away. We stayed just north of Lyme Regis in West Dorset, much of this itinerary will focus on the West Dorset area, & Lyme Regis is a great town to base yourself in. Swanage & Poole are the best areas for exploring more of East Dorset.
If you plan on splitting your time between West & East Dorset, then you might want to consider finding a place to stay in Weymouth or Dorchester, which are right in between the two.
During our 3 days stay in Dorset, we stayed in the cutest shepherd’s hut, called Toby’s Hut with Unique Hideaways. The hut is located on a secluded farm, sat on top of a small hill with the most unspoilt & picturesque view of the gentle rolling hills of Dorset. We couldn’t have picked a better place to stay, it is exactly what we needed for an escape to the countryside.
Toby’s Hut comes fully equipped with kitchen, bathroom, cosy bed & an outdoor hot tub to soak away your evenings in. If seclusion & getting away from it all sounds like your cup of tea, then we know that you are going to love this place. Unique Hideaways offer glamping experiences, cosy cabins & unique stays all across the UK.
Toby’s Hut ranges from £120-£160 per night.
Day 1: The Jurassic Coast
Once you arrive in Dorset day one should absolutely be all about exploring the incredible Jurassic Coast that Dorset is famous for. There is no better place to start than at Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove.
Durdle Door – is definitely one of the most famous beaches in the UK & a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you haven’t already heard of it, then prepare to be blown away by the sheer beauty of this place. With its stunningly clear waters, giant chalk cliff tops & of course the ever so picturesque archway that this beach is so well known for. Our favourite viewpoint is from the cliff tops looking back towards the ocean onto the archway.
Because the beach is so popular, especially during the summer months, it would be wise to arrive early (before 10am) to make sure you get to experience this incredible spot without the crowds. Furthermore, make sure you are wearing suitable footwear for a bit of a walk. It is a steep & slippery slope that you will have to climb down to reach the beach.
There is parking at Durdle Door, although it is quite expensive: £6 for 4 hours & £12 all day. For a free alternative you could park in the nearby West Lulworth & then walk around 1.3 miles (2km) to Durdle Door. We parked on street here.
Lulworth Cove – from Durdle Door you can follow the coastal path along the cliffs & eventually you will reach the adorable village of Lulworth Cove. The walk across the cliff tops is 1.1 miles (1.7km) & should only take roughly 30 minutes. Once in Lulworth Cove you will be greeted by a lovely fishing village with shops, cafe’s, a pub & a beautiful pebbly beach to enjoy.
We would recommend that you grab some Fish & Chips at Finley’s Cafe, before taking them down to the beach to eat your lunch with a view. After lunch you could take a short walk to this viewpoint, for spectacular sweeping views of Lulworth Cove. Or if you would prefer a dip in the shimmering waters, that is a great alterative!
The walk back to West Lulworth if you have parked there, is only 15 minutes.
Check into Toby’s Hut – The drive from Lulworth to Toby’s Hut will take approximately 1 hour, although allow for around 1.5 hours if you are travelling in peak hours. But it will be totally worth the drive once you arrive at Toby’s Hut & settle into the idyllic countryside. Spend the late afternoon/evening soaking in the hot tub & cooking up a storm as you enjoy a beautiful summers evening on the wild side of life.
Day 2: West Dorset
West Dorset is home to many gems from the fascinating history of fossils in Lyme Regis to the many hiking opportunities available along the coastal path. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this corner of the county, making it well worth your time on your visit. After spending a slow morning at Toby’s Hut, it is time to head out in search of an adventure, starting with…
Lyme Bay Rib Charter – is located in West Bay & is a thrilling adventure involving getting on a Rib boat & heading out into the open ocean, to get a proper look at this magnificent coastline. Enjoy an hour cruising up & down the Jurassic Coast taking in the sights along the way. We chose to jump on a ‘Best of Both’ tour which also included some high adrenaline moments, when we raced along the coastline at a top speed, hold onto your hats for this one.
Lyme Bay Rib Charter also offer leisurely cruises only for those of you who aren’t so keen on reaching top speeds & would much prefer to sit back & just enjoy the view. Although, for the adventurers we would highly recommend the Best of Both option!
Tickets cost £33 for an adult & £31 for a child
Hike to Golden Cap – Whilst on the Rib Charter you will get the chance to see the Golden Cap from the water, so after the trip it is definitely worth hiking to its summit for even more spectacular views. There is a National Trust car park at Langdon Hill, from here the Golden Cap is only a 30-minute walk.
The Golden Cap is an iconic Dorset landmark as it is the highest point along the Southwest Coast, standing at 191m above sea level. Golden Cap gets its name from the distinctive yellow sandstone that drapes the cliff face. At its summit you will get outstanding views along the Jurassic Coast & Lyme Bay. From here you can also join the Southwest coastal path towards Lyme Bay, or back towards Bridport in the other direction.
Dorset Nectar Cider – is a wonderful family owned cidery & orchard located only a 15-minute drive inland from West Bay. Swing by here for a an informative cidery tour & tasting. The tour will take you through the magical orchard on the property, where you will learn all about the growing & harvesting process, whilst trying some delicious, mulled cider from the farm.
Before moving into the brew house to take a look at where the magic happens. Once the tour is complete you will also get the opportunity to taste some of the ciders on offer. Starting from dry to very sweet, it is a lovely way to spend an afternoon in the sun.
Tours cost £15 per person, there are also tent sites available here for a reasonable £16 a night, for those who would be keen to camp in Dorset. You can make a booking for the cider tour or campsite here.
Seaside Sauna Haus – To finish off your day head down to the quaint coastal settlement of Seatown, it is here that you will find a wood burning sauna on the beach to enjoy. Melt away in the sauna, with beautiful views out onto the beach & take your cold plunge only meters away in the ocean.
We both love a sauna after our experience in Scandinavia, where we took sauna’s & cold plunges every day, we have become addicted to it. So, when the opportunity arises to do so, we always take it. Some benefits of sauna include: calms anxiety, improves sleep, pain reduction, skin rejuvenation, increased metabolism, improved immune system & many more.
The best time to visit is undoubtedly at sunset, sitting in the sauna & cold plunging in the ocean as the sun goes down, makes for a really memorable experience. The sauna costs £60 per hour, but that allows up to 5 people to enjoy, so why not visit with a group of friends? Book here.
Day 3: East Dorset
If you are driving back towards London or other areas of the country from West Dorset, you may find yourself passing through East Dorset on your journey home. Definitely make the most of this & stop off for a morning of adventure around the Studland Bay area. This part of Dorset is mostly known for the iconic Old Harry’s Rocks, picturesque limestone rock formations that stand alone out in the ocean, at the end of a headland. Whilst there is the option to walk to the rock’s viewpoint, we have a better & more adventurous alternative for you.
Sea Kayaking with Fore Adventure – For a unique perspective of Old Harry’s Rocks from the water, we would absolutely recommend jumping in a kayaking & paddling out to them. Fore Adventure offer a couple of different tours to the rocks including a 2-hour tour, half a day tour & a nighttime tour. We opted for the 2-hour tour, which turned out to be a highlight of the whole Dorset trip.
Fore Adventure are located at Middle Beach Car Park, from here the paddle out to Old Harry’s Rocks should take approximately 40 – 50 minutes around Studland Bay. Once at the rocks, you will get the opportunity to land at a remote pebbly beach & admire the incredible scenery from here. Before making the leisurely journey back to Middle Beach. The views along the way are really breathtaking & it is a privilege to see the coastline & Old Harry’s Rocks from up close.
When you book with Fore Adventure all kayaking gear will be provided for you, including wetsuits, helmets, waterproof jackets & of course your kayak. The tours start from £45 per adult, & you can book here. The car park is a National Trust car park & costs £5 for 2 hours or £8 for 4 hours.
Sae Seaweed Spa by Fore Adventure – For a super unique experience after kayaking you should definitely try out Fore Adventure’s new Sae Seaweed Spa, which has been introduced this summer (June 2024). If you aren’t familiar with what a seaweed bath is, it is exactly what it says on the tin, a bath filled with seaweed. Seaweed baths are known to have many health benefits including: Aiding with skin conditions such as Eczema & Acne, hydrating & softening skin, reducing inflammation, natural anti-aging agent & supports the nervous system, in turn reducing stress.
We weren’t convinced at first but the experience we had was actually really enjoyable & relaxing. Sae Seaweed is located right on the shores of Middle Beach, so whilst you soak in your bathtub you will be able to enjoy beautiful views out across Studland Bay. You’ll start by rinsing in the ocean before using a handmade foot scrub to exfoliate your feet. Then it is time to hop in the bathtub where you can rub the juices from the seaweed all over your skin for an aloe vera effect. Finally, after soaking for a good 40 minutes, you can apply a handmade face mask, before rinsing & feeling extremely rejuvenated.
It is on the pricier end; I suppose because it really is a unique experience. Sessions cost £80 for up to two people. You can view more information, view pricing & book here.
Before heading home there is still time to stop by nearby Swanage, dive into some Fish & Chips & perhaps a stroll along the beach. There is plenty more that you could cram into this weekend itinerary, but if you did it all at once there would be nothing to come back for right? This is a part of the UK that will certainly keep us coming back.
For more inspiration & information when planning your trip to Dorset, you can visit our Instagram & Visit Dorset.
If you enjoyed reading this, you may also enjoy our other UK travel guides, what about: How to spend 3 days in England’s Lake District.
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