South Dorset - The Jurassic Coast
 
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All the properties are in south Dorset lying close to the sea. They extend from Swanage in the east through the Purbeck Hills to Weymouth in the west. This is a truly magnificent part of Britain. The coast has been designated by the UN as a World Heritage Site known as “The Jurassic Coast”. The variety is truly amazing with magnificent beaches, dramatic cliffs and intriguing bays and coves. But equally important to the coast is the countryside. The complex geology of the area has created a wonderful mixture of chalk downs, limestone hills, sandy heaths and clay valleys. This creates a charming rural area complimented by the seaside resorts of Swanage and Weymouth, the market towns of Dorchester and Wareham and the many lovely small villages of this very special part of England.

At the eastern end of the region lies beautiful Poole Harbour, which is very popular for boating. It’s attraction is enhanced by the many islands including the National Trust owned Brownsea Island. For visitors wanting the facilities of large resorts, Bournemouth and Poole are easily accessed by the chain-link ferry across the harbour mouth.

One of the most popular beaches in the area is Studland. The sandy beaches extend for 5 miles backed by sand dunes and heath. Lovely walks extend over the chalk downs and cliffs to Swanage Bay. This small resort with its safe sandy beach is particularly popular with families and the town offers many shops, pubs and excellent restaurants. The coast heading west is dominated by magnificent limestone cliffs with limestone also being a prominent feature in the villages of this area. Of particular note is the village of Corfe Castle.
It’s stone walled and roofed houses are dominated by the dramatic ruins of the castle itself. A steam railway passes through the lovely countryside connecting Swanage and Corfe Castle.

Further west the coast is a wonderful mixture of cliffs and coves including Lulworth Cove. To the west of Lulworth the glorious beaches of “Durdle Door” and “Man-O-Wor” shelter at the bottom of dramatic chalk cliffs. Attractions just a few miles inland include Lulworth Castle, the Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World.

Further west lies Weymouth Bay with its magnificent beach. The busy resort of Weymouth boasts an attractive Georgian sea front with the older parts of the town still being mainly Georgian and Victorian. This lively resort has extensive facilities for all ages including the Sea Life Centre, theatre, cinema, shops and nightclubs. The attractive old harbour serves a fishing fleet as well as modern yachts and cruisers and many good pubs and restaurants look out over the water.

A causeway from Weymouth connects with the island of Portland. Some visitors love Portland but we find it a grim and forbidding place best visited only once.
To the west lies Chesil Beach. This massive stony bank extends for many miles. Sheltered behind it is the 8 mile long lagoon known as The Fleet. In the hills and valleys close to this coast lie many lovely villages. Of particular note is Abottsbury with its swanery and sub tropical gardens.

For walkers the whole of this part of south Dorset benefits from an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways. This is an area where holidays can be enjoyed at any time of the year so all our properties are homely and welcoming all year round.

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