Before they were roads, they were only paths. Across Dorset, routes emerged slowly, worn into the land by centuries of passage, shifting with weather and season, never entirely fixed. Some followed high ground, others slipped into holloways or vanished altogether, leaving travellers to trust instinct as much as direction. Then came the Turnpikes. Order was imposed … Continue reading Dorset Turnpikes
Hidden to the west of Weymouth are the secret beaches of the Fleet Lagoon. Wander past nature reserves and deserted military ranges, with views across the water to Chesil Beach. Cut through fields, farms, and caravan sites to reach the lost village of Fleet. Explore its ruined church, destroyed by a tsunami during the Great … Continue reading East Fleet
From artistic sculptures, hidden in plain sight, wander through Lodmoor Nature Reserve to Weymouth Bay, the beach voted one of the best in the country by The Sunday Times. Follow the defensive wall, saving the reserve from the aggressive Atlantic storms, to skim the site of a lost Toll house. Enter back into the reserve … Continue reading Lodmoor
From the far eastern tip of the Isle of Purbeck head down to Old Harry’s Rocks where the official boundary of the Jurassic Coast begins. Stick to the coastal roads as they narrow and split to keep the sea in view for the majority of the ride. Divert down little dead end lanes to discover … Continue reading The Ultimate Jurassic Coast Drive
Buried in the folds of the fields and slopes is the small hamlet of Rodden, surrounding its old Manor House. Climb up the steep sided valley to the peak of Merry Hill, with views over an old railway line and out to sea. Pass converted barns, which have featured in films, to then join the … Continue reading Rodden
Dorset’s ageless and rural beauty, combined with the expanse of open landscape and peaceful atmosphere, has encouraged directors and film crews to immortalise the county in a number of Hollywood blockbusters, award winning television shows and music videos. Below is a list of productions which have used the county’s awe-inspiring landscape as their backdrop. Click … Continue reading Dorset On Film
From the shingle beach of Bowleaze Cove, where the River Jordan meets the sea, explore the once bustling Roman landscape. Take the old Preston road, hidden behind holiday parks, past the site of a Roman Villa. Wander through the village, with the ghost of a Portuguese sailor haunting the inn, to the old Mill House … Continue reading Bowleaze Cove
Discover a hidden landscape, untouched for centuries. Climb the peaks of the hills surrounded by hillforts, ancient barrows and stone henges. Follow the ridge with views across the Jurassic coastline and discover a number of ruined farms. Delve down into the valley to find the old Abbotsbury Railway line, now just earthworks slicing through the … Continue reading Friar Waddon
