Five Dorset spots I keep coming back to, from woodland walks to some of my favourite views on the coast.
Dorset has some seriously beautiful places to visit, both along the coast and further inland. You’d probably think that choosing my five favourite spots would be quite difficult, but actually, it wasn’t.
Each of these places has something completely different about it. Some bring back childhood memories, some are places I’ve walked countless times and others are simply somewhere I can stop, take in the view and forget about everything else for a little while.
And yes, looking at my choices, I think it’s pretty obvious I’m drawn to the coast!
Kingston Lacy
Kingston Lacy has been part of my Dorset life for years. There’s so much history here, and for quite a while it was one of the main places I knew from childhood. Apart from school trips to Kingston Lacy, the other place I seemed to visit was Hengistbury Head! Kingston Lacy is packed with stories, including its connection to the Bankes family and the keys to Corfe Castle, which were kept here. Every season brings something different, so whether you visit in spring, summer, autumn or winter, there’s always something new to see.
For me, though, it’s the woodland walks that make Kingston Lacy special. Some of my favourite weekend walks have been here, wandering through the trees, getting out into nature and having those moments where you can just switch off and chat with friends or family. And, of course, there’s always time for a hot drink at the old allotments. I’ve been around the house more times than I can remember, but I only tend to go inside when I’m showing someone new around. Christmas is the exception though, sometimes you must make an excuse to go back inside!
The Great Globe
The Great Globe at Durlston Country Park in Swanage is another Dorset favourite of mine. Getting down to it means tackling a steep incline, followed by the inevitable killer walk back up, but honestly, it’s worth every step. Made from Portland stone, there’s something quite magical about standing next to it, especially when you take a moment to look out across the landscape and sea.
I spent many weekends as a kid parking nearby and heading out for walks along the Jurassic Coast, and the views from around here have always stuck with me. Whatever the weather, looking out across the water towards what feels like absolutely nothing is breathtaking. I also have a little childhood memory of walking around the globe and pointing at places I wanted to travel to one day. One of those places eventually happened, perhaps not the exact country I had pointed at, but I definitely ended up in the right part of the world!
Poole Harbour
This is home. I think that says it all.
Poole Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world, and there are so many ways to experience it. It’s easy to think of Poole Harbour as Poole Quay or Sandbanks, but those are just small glimpses of what the harbour has to offer. To really appreciate it, you need to get out and explore the different viewpoints around Dorset. Head over towards Studland or Arne and you’ll see the harbour from a completely different perspective, with some incredible views across the water.
And then there are the islands — nine of them dotted around the harbour. There’s something about being surrounded by all that water, coastline and open space that makes Poole Harbour feel very special to me. It’s one of those places I could never really get bored of.
West Bay
West Bay is one of those Dorset places that really does have something for everyone. Foodies, walkers, sightseers, beach lovers — you can easily spend a good chunk of the day here. These days it’s probably best known for its connection to ITV’s Broadchurch, but I knew and loved West Bay long before it appeared on our screens. I used to camp down this end of the coast and would always make a trip into West Bay.
There are plenty of food kiosks to choose from, although I’ll usually head inside to eat because, quite honestly, I have a slight fear of seagulls stealing my lunch! The famous cliffs are the real showstopper though, and I could happily sit on the pebble beach underneath them watching the world go by. Since I took the original photo, there has also been a landslide that changed part of the cliff edge, which is a good reminder that our coastline is constantly changing. It’s one of the things I love about the Dorset coast, you can come back to the same place, and it might look completely different.
Winspit Quarry
Winspit Quarry is reached by walking along the Southwest Coast Path from Worth Matravers, and the walk itself is part of the reason I love visiting. The old quarry is open to the public, but that isn’t what makes it one of my favourite Dorset spots. For me, it’s the views along the Jurassic Coast, the hidden caves and that beautiful blue sea that make the walk worthwhile.
There’s something about arriving at Winspit and having that feeling that you’ve discovered somewhere tucked away from everything else. The coastline around here is spectacular, and it’s exactly the kind of Dorset scenery I never get tired of. Give me a coastal path, some sea views and somewhere interesting to explore and I’m happy.
So, There You Have It my top five Dorset places. Looking back at the list, it’s obvious that I’m drawn to the sea and the coast, but Kingston Lacy had to make the cut. The woodland there will always have a little piece of my heart.
Dorset has so many incredible places that I could probably write a top 50 and still struggle to narrow it down. But these five are the ones that immediately came to mind — the places that hold memories, make me stop and look around, or simply make me feel very lucky to call Dorset one of my favourite places to explore.
