Explore Dorset
Beaches
Ringstead Bay (6 Miles)
700 yards of shingle beach, once used by smugglers, and overlooked by unspoilt farmland and cliffs. The beach is a good walk down hill from a National Trust car park, alternatively there is a paid private car park at the entrance to the beach. This beach rarely gets busy. This is our favourite local beach due to its beauty and lack of visitors and is very much worth the effort.
Weymouth Beach (8 Miles)
Consistently voted in the top 10 beaches in Europe, Weymouth boasts a 3 mile stretch of sandy beach, just moments away from the historic harbour (where Dunkirk was recently filmed).
Lulworth Cove / Durdle Door (8 Miles)
Lulworth Cove is world famous for its unique geology and landforms including the Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole. Durdle Door is one of Dorsets most iconic landmarks. Enjoy the panoramic views and crystal clear waters on this stretch of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a must-visit destination on the Dorset Coast.
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Kimmeridge (18 Miles)
Kimmeridge Bay lies within the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and boasts the best rockpooling and safest snorkelling site in Dorset. It is also the go to surf spot. Our top tip, lots of surfers, but there is no beach here!
Studland (18 miles / 30 mins)
The National Trust's Studland Beach, is a vast area of sandy beaches and heathland with views of Old Harry Rocks. Our advice, to fully appreciate the beauty and tranquillity, take a picnic breakfast and enjoy a dip then leave when the crowds arrive mid morning!
West Bay (20 Miles / 30 mins)
For all the Broadchurch lovers, West Bay is situated at the western end of Chesil Beach and is known as the Golden Gateway to the Jurassic Coast due to the ‘Golden Cap' cliff. It is a lovely little seaside town, only a mile from Bridport. Our advice is to visit lesser known Eype.
Lyme Regis (25 Miles / 45 mins)
Lyme Regis known as ‘the pearl’ of Dorset, is the perfect seaside town for a lovely day trip. Stroll along the ‘Cobb’, relax on the beach, or browse the many local stores. There is nearly always a festival taking place.
Food & Drink
Award winning, locally produced food. A sophisticated atmosphere and indulgent lounge bar.
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The Martyrs Inn (3 Miles)
Headline-making for being village owned, a friendly pub with good honest food and a warm welcome.
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Langhams Wine Estate (3 Miles N)
The Tasting Room and Vineyard Café is housed in an old milking parlour dating from the 19th century. With views of the vineyard and winery, it’s the perfect place to taste the award winning wines, have a bite to eat or enjoy a lazy afternoon cream tea.
The Wise Man (3 Miles S)
A quiet and cosy gastro-pub in a pretty village, whose residents include the creators of Downton Abbey.
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Yalbury Cottage Restaurant (3 Miles W)
‘A quiet, family run restaurant, in the heart of Dorset’s Hardy Country. This is a gentle, unassuming place, the opposite of trendy, but with a warm, welcoming and unaffected atmosphere’ The Telegraph. Exceptionally cooked and presented local and seasonal food.
Michelin Star restaurant, recently reviewed by Giles Coran as "The Best Restaurant in the World".
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The Pig on The Beach (18 Miles E)
With views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight. The menu concentrates on local produce and fruit, vegetables and herbs picked each day from the huge kitchen garden.
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On booking your stay, you will receive a welcome pack with the many and varied eatery recommendations.
Local Activities
Sculptures by the lakes (1 Mile)
This 26 acre sculpture park created by renowned sculptor Simon Gudgeon, is an oasis for art lovers and collectors alike. Carefully landscaped and curated to ensure a wonderfully peaceful and sensuous experience where visitors feel free from the constraints of a traditional gallery.
Visit the birthplace of Thomas Hardy, author of 'Far from the madding crowd' and 'Tess of the D'urbervilles'. This is a beautifully maintained National Trust property, surrounded by the tranquil Thorncombe woods. A picnic is a must.
Athelhampton House & Gardens (3 Miles)
Athelhampton is one of the finest 15th Century manor-houses and is surrounded by one of the great architectural gardens of England. It contains many finely furnished rooms including The Great Hall, Great Chamber and wine cellar. The Grade I Listed walled gardens include the world-famous topiary pyramids.
The Tank Museum (4 Miles)
This fantastic Museum tells the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. Exploring eight powerful exhibitions, with almost 300 vehicles. This unique collection includes the world’s first ever tank, the feared German Tiger and the modern Challenger 2.
Outdoor Activities (5-20 Miles)
Climbing, Coasteering, Sea Kayaking, Gliding, Paragliding, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Windsurfing, Jet-skiing and much more. We aim to recommend only the top local companies to provide you with best experiences at competitive rates.
Dorset Waterpark is a huge Woodland Water Park spread over two lakes overlooking Corfe Castle. Each lake features different inflatable obstacles for you to tackle.
Corfe Castle / Swanage Steam Railway (14 Miles)
Great Castle ruins with fascinating history surrounding it, maintained by the National Trust, within a quaint village where you can also access the Swanage Steam Railway.
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On booking your stay, you will receive a welcome pack which will provide many more options to explore from The Yurt doorstep.
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