County · England
Where to stay in Dorset
The Jurassic Coast, thatched villages and clifftop country houses.
Dorset is the gentlest of the south-coast counties: a run of fossil-strewn Jurassic cliffs, sweeping bays and thatched inland villages, with no motorway to hurry it along. It rewards a slow pace.
Stay for the coast path, the beaches and a clutch of excellent country houses and clifftop boltholes.
The shortlist
Best places to stay in Dorset
The Pig on the Beach
A mellow-yellow manor above Studland Bay, with sea views, garden-to-plate food and the Pig group's signature charm.
Summer Lodge Country House
A Georgian country house in a thatched Dorset village, with a spa, indoor pool and serious classic comfort.
The Seaside Boarding House
A stylish clifftop bolthole above Chesil Beach, all sea air, good food and elegant rooms.
Best areas to stay in Dorset
Studland & Purbeck. Sweeping bay, Old Harry Rocks and Corfe Castle, the prettiest corner.
West Dorset & the Jurassic Coast. Chesil Beach, Lyme Regis and dramatic clifftops.
Inland villages. Thatch, country houses and classic Hardy country.
Getting there & around
Train. Trains from London Waterloo to Dorchester, Wareham and Weymouth.
Car & transport. A car is useful; Dorchester, Wareham and Weymouth are on the rail network.
Car-free. Use Wareham or Dorchester as a base, then local buses and the coast path along the shore.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dorset best known for?
The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage shoreline, plus beaches like Studland and Chesil and pretty inland villages.
When should you visit Dorset?
Late spring and September for warm weather and quieter beaches; the coast path is at its best then.
Can you visit without a car?
Partly. Wareham, Dorchester and Weymouth have rail links, with buses and the coast path connecting the highlights.