West Dorset Tourist Information

Dorchester Tourist Guide

Dorchester is Dorset's county town and as such has an excellent County Museum which houses the largest collection of Thomas Hardy artefacts in the world. It has also a mix of family attractions like the Teddy Bear and Dinosaur Museums and more cultural exhibitions at the Tutankhamen and Terracotta Warriors Exhibitions.

Having been created by the Romans it comes as no surpirse that there are some Roman ruins to be seen at the Roman Town House and you can take the Durnovaria Town Walk that follows the old Roman fortifications of the town. The Old Crown Court and Cells is also worth a visit and has been the location for some of the country's most memorable trials such as the Bloody Assizes in the English Civil War and the Tolpuddle Martyrs. When you've had enough of culture there's a good shopping centre and plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants.

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Sherborne Tourist Guide

Sherborne is an historic market town in north west Dorset near the border with Somerset. In fact, many of the town's historic buildings are similar to those of South Somerset where they're built from the golden yellow Ham Stone.

Sherborne is an excellent base for historic buildings, shopping and exploring the wider countryside as it sits on the edge of Blackmore Vale - the beautiful green valley around the River Stour that was the setting in Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Hardy renamed Sherborne as "Sherton Abbas" in his books.

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Buckland Newton Rural Holidays

Buckland Newton is in central West Dorset amongst the beautiful Dorset countryside. It's a popular rural location for countryside walks and extensive views.

The village itself has some interesting traditions like the Goose Auction held twice a year to raise funds for charities.

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Central West Dorset Attractions

Around Dorchester, Dorset's County town, are several attractions and beautiful lush countryside.

Just to the south west of Dorchester is the largest Iron Age Hillfort at Maiden Castle. All around Dorchester are several places and villages associated with the writer and poet, Thomas Hardy.

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Beaminster West Dorset Walking Holidays

Beaminster is a small town in West Dorset. It's character has been shaped by a series of fires that led to it being wholly rebuilt in the Georgian period leaving some beautiful cottages and town buildings. The town comes alive with the annual music festival which features jazz, folk and classical music as well as a range of exhibitions and literary events.

The countryside around Beaminster includes the Beaminster Downs and is excellent walking country. In addition to a network of public footpaths there are long distance walking trails that will take you through Dorset's beautiful countryside.

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Askerswell Tourist Guide

The countryside to the east of Bridport is characterised by traditional farming villages with rolling green open countryside. It's a popular area for those wanting to get away from it all or take a walking holiday through West Dorset's beautiful countryside.

Askerswell, Puncknowle and Swyre are three villages in the area offering a range of holiday accommodation including B&B, self catering cottages, caravan and camping.

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