West Dorset

TOURING WEST DORSET promises beautiful countryside, a fascinating Jurassic coast and more historic buildings than you can shake a drawbridge at. The area is rich in colourful towns, some of which appear in classic English literature. There’s plenty that kids will enjoy, too. Take them to one of the county’s great beaches and try one of many animal sanctuaries for an educational day out.

Towing there

■ From the North, it’s best to go via Bristol. So from Birmingham, follow the M5 south as far as junction 15 where you pick up the M4 eastbound. At junction 19 of the M4, take the M32 through Bristol and emerge on the A37 running right down to Dorchester.

■ From the East of England, follow the M25 to the M3 at junction 12 and follow this until it becomes the M27. It eventually becomes the A31 in the New Forest. The A31 becomes the A35 at Bere Regis, runs right through Dorchester and carries on past Lyme Regis.

West Dorset highlights

Dorchester

You could spend the day walking around Borough Gardens or the Roman Town House, and sampling the delicacies at the French Market held every August. A short trip to Maiden Castle, the UK’s largest hill fort, is not to be missed.

Portland

The UK’s newest commercial port has been selected for the 2012 Olympics sailing events. From its lighthouse, still vitally important to shipping, you can see Chesil Beach stretching towards Devon. It is one of the most impressive sights in the South.

Weymouth

Located on the World Heritage Coast, Weymouth has a sheltered family beach, a busy modern high street and a centuries-old harbour.

Lyme Regis

No trip to West Dorset would be complete without visiting Lyme Regis. The Jurassic Coast comes alive here, with frequent tours along the beachfront. You may even find a fossil yourself. Afterwards, try a boat ride in the bay or have a family fishing trip.

More info

■ www.thedorsetpage.com
■ www.dorsetforyou.com
■ www.westdorset.com
■ www.visit-dorset.org.uk
■ www.aboutdorset.co.uk

Did you know?

■ West Dorset influenced the works of Thomas Hardy
■ A foreign ship that docked at Weymouth in 1348 is believed to have brought the Black Death

Getting around

The A35 connects towns and villages through the southern part of the county, from Dorchester through Bridport to Lyme Regis. The A354 runs from Dorchester to Weymouth and continues along the causeway to the Isle of Portland. The A37 runs north from Dorchester to Yeovil, the nearest large town inland. For those who prefer public transport, there are train and bus services, both local and regional.

Buses

Buses are operated by Wilts & Dorset and the First Group, which runs services along the coast from Portland to Lyme Regis, and north to Dorchester, Bridport and Yeovil.
■ www.wdbus.co.uk
■ www.firstgroup.com
■ www.carlberry.co.uk/co/Dorset_County.htm

Trains

First Great Western’s service between Weymouth and Bristol stops at Dorchester, Yeovil and another five stations in Dorset.
■ www.nationalrail.co.uk
■ www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

Cycling and walking routes

Contact Dorchester Tourist Information Centre
Tel 01305 267 992
■ www.cycle-route.com/routes/Dorset-Routes-72.html
■ www.theaa.com Themed routes for cycling or walking
■ www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/south-west/dorset
■ www.cycle-n-sleep.co.uk
■ www.go4awalk.com
■ www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_a/2565/ (Suggested route from Abbotsbury to Littlebredy, moderate grade)

Things to do

Places to visit

■ Monkey World
Web www.monkeyworld.org
This sanctuary helps protect primates from all over the world.

■ Maiden Castle
Web www.maidencastle.com
This is the UK’s biggest Iron Age hill fort. It dates back to 800BC.

■ Bovington Tank Museum
Web www.tankmuseum.org
The recently refurbished museum has more than 200 tanks on show.

Gardens and houses to visit

Athelhampton House
Athelhampton,
Dorchester DT2 7LG
Tel 01305 848 363
Web www.athelhampton.co.uk
Open March-October, Monday-Thursday, 10.30am-5pm. November-February, Sunday, 10:30am-5pm
Charges Adult £9.25. Child (0-15) free. Family (2+2) £18.50

Kingston Maurward Gardens
and Animal Park
Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester DT2 8PY
Tel 01305 215 003
Web www.kmc.ac.uk/attractions/gardens
Open Daily, 10am-5.30pm,
4 January-22 December
Charges Adult £5. Child (3-16) £3.
Family (2+3) £15.50

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Swannery and Children’s Garden
Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Weymouth DT3 4LA
Tel 01305 871 387
Web www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens
Open Gardens: Daily 3 January-
20 December. Easter-5 September, 10am-6pm. 6 September-31 October, 10am-5pm. November-Easter, 10am-4pm
Charges (each attraction) Adult £8-£9.50. Child (5-15) £6.50. Family (2+3) £26

Portland Castle
Castletown, Portland DT5 1AZ
Tel 01305 820 539
Web www.english-heritage.org.uk
Open Daily. April-May and September, 10am-5pm. June-August, 10am-6pm. October, 10am-4pm
Charges Adult £4.20. Child (5-15) £2.10. Family (2+3) £10.50

Bennetts Water Gardens
Putton Lane, Chickerell,
Weymouth DT3 4AF
Tel 01305 785 150
Web www.waterlily.co.uk
Open Gardens and Café Monet: April-October, Sunday-Friday, 10am-5pm

Charges Adult £6.95. Child (5-16) £3.95. Family (2+2) £18.50

Great spots for… a pleasant evening drink

■ The Three Horseshoes Inn, Powerstock, has stunning views of the countryside

■ The Galley Bistro, Waterfront, Weymouth Harbour

■ The Cobbs Arms, waterside pub in Lyme Regis

Where to stay

Great Family site

Bagwell Farm Touring Park
Chickerell,
Weymouth DT3 4EA
Tel 01305 782 575
Web www.bagwellfarm.co.uk
Open All year
Pitch+2+hook-up £13.50-£23

Adults only site

Bingham Grange Touring and Camping Park
Meplash,
Bridport DT6 3TT
Tel 01308 488 234
Web www.binghamsfarm.co.uk
Open March-October
Pitch+2+hook-up £15-£23

Pet Friendly site

Charmouth Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Charmouth DT6 6DB
Tel 01297 32965
Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Open 14 March-11 November
Pitch+2+hook-up £18.50-£23.50

Top 100 site

Monkton Wyld Caravan Park
Charmouth DT6 6DB
Tel 01297 631 131
Web www.eastfleet.co.uk
Open 12 March-30 October
Pitch+2+hook-up £18.50-£23.50

Great site for fishing

Wood Farm Camping and Caravanning Park
Axminster Road,
Charmouth DT6 6BT
Tel 01297 560 697
Web www.woodfarm.co.uk
Open 25 March–31 October
Pitch+2+hook-up £13.50-£25.50

Caravan essentials

Workshop

■ Tilshead Caravans
Stockbridge Road (A30), Lopcombe, Salisbury,
Wiltshire SP5 1BS
Tel 01980 863 636

■ Martins of Exeter
Clyst Road, Sandygate (junction 30, M5), Exeter, Devon EX2 7JL
Tel 01392 446 250

Police (non-emergency)

Tel 01202 222 222 or 01305 222 222

Accident and emergency

■ Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue,
Dorchester DT1 2JY
Tel 01305 251 150

■ Yeovil District Hospital
Higher Kingston,
Yeovil BA21 4AT
Tel 01935 475 122