Dorset hotels accommodation, attractions
and travel information
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MAIN TOWNS IN Dorset - Bournemouth Christchurch Dorchester
Ferndown Lyme Regis Poole Portland Sherborne Swanage Weymouth
Wimbourne Minster. |
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Bournemouth. Bournemouth remains one of the most popular holiday
destinations for British tourists. The town is bordered by Poole
in the west (3 miles) and Christchurch in the east (3 miles),
and overlooks Poole Bay. Several "A" roads run into
Bournemouth including the A31 if travelling from Southampton.
Bournemouth is about 85 miles from Exeter and about 35 miles
from Southampton. This section of the English coast enjoys some
of the warmest, driest, and sunniest weather in Britain. Book: Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch
(Streetmaster Street Maps). |
More information and
accommodation : Bournemouth.
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Christchurch. The medieval town of Christchurch nestles between
the New Forest and Bournemouth on the Dorset coast. Christchurch
is located just off the A35, with Ringwood 8 miles to the north
and Lymington 10 miles to the east. It is about 90 miles from
Exeter and about 35 miles from Southampton. A beautiful coastline,
peaceful rivers and spectacular natural harbour makes Christchurch
an appealing place to visit.
Book: Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch (Streetmaster Street Maps). |
More information and
accommodation : Christchurch.
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Dorchester. Dorchester is the county town of Dorset with a rich
history dating back to prehistoric and Roman times. It is located
off the A35, with Weymouth 7 miles to the south and Yeovil 18
miles to the north. Dorchester is about 55 miles from Exeter
and about 55 miles from Southampton. Two miles southwest of the
town centre, on a steep chalk hill, is the large Iron Age hill
fort Maiden Castle, which was one of the most powerful settlements
in pre-Roman Britain.
Book: Dorchester and Weymouth, Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis (OS
Landranger Map). |
More information and
accommodation : Dorchester.
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Ferndown. Ferndown is situated in Dorset close to the towns
of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and is surrounded by open
countryside and woodlands. It is located on the A31, about 5
miles southwest of Ringwood, 5 miles northwest of Christchurch
and 4 miles east of Wimbourne Minster. It is also close to the
New Forest. Ferndown has a lively town centre with a pleasant
atmosphere for visitors, offering free parking and easy shopping. Book : Purbeck & South Dorset.
Ordnance Survey. |
More information and
accommodation : Ferndown.
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Lyme Regis. Lyme Regis is a historic unspoiled seaside resort
and fishing port on the world famous Cobb harbour. It is located
on the A3052, just off the A35. Lyme Regis is about 5 miles south
of Axminster, 8 miles west of Bridport and 7 miles east of Seaton.
Surrounded by beautiful coastlines and countryside, the area
has now been awarded World Heritage Site Status. The town is
famous for the fossils found in the cliffs, which are part of
the Jurassic Coast. Book:
Taunton and Lyme Regis, Chard and Bridport (OS Landranger Map). |
More information and
accommodation : Lyme Regis.
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Poole. Poole is a coastal town, port and tourist destination
in Dorset. The town is positioned on a very popular stretch of
coastline, with the resort of Bournemouth to the east, Studland
to the south and the Jurassic coast southwest. Poole is located
on the A35, about 80 miles from Exeter and about 40 miles from
Southampton. Poole harbour is the second largest natural harbour
in the world (after Sydney harbour). Book: Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch (Streetmaster
Street Maps). |
More information and
accommodation : Poole.
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Portland. Portland is a peninsula of only 4½ mile length
and three-quarters of a mile wide, off the south Dorset coast.
It is almost cut off from the mainland, only being connected
by the shingle bank known as Chesil Beach. Portland is located
on the A354 which runs onto the Isle of Portland. Weymouth is
about 3 miles to the north. The island is one mass of stone which
is world renowned, the quarries have been in continuous use since
the start of the 17thC and famous buildings such as St Paul's
Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament are built from Portland
Stone. Book : A-Z Street
Atlas of Weymouth/Dorchester/Isle of Portland (Street Atlas). |
More information and
accommodation : Portland.
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Sherborne. Sherborne is located on the Dorset / Somerset border;
it has excellent transport links enabling the town to flourish.
It is located on the A30, with Yeovil about 5 miles to the west
and Dorchester 18 miles to the south. It is one of the most beautiful
towns in England, with an abundance of medieval buildings, superb
Abbey, world famous Schools, picturesque Almshouse and two Castles.
The buildings in Sherborne are a warm golden colour, built primarily
from the local Ham Stone.
Book: Yeovil and Sherborne, Somerton and Wincanton (Explorer
Maps). |
More information and
accommodation : Sherborne.
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Swanage. Swanage has all the attractions of an old-world
town and is also a beautiful seaside resort. It is located on
the A351, at the end of the Purbeck peninsula overlooking Swanage
Bay. 3 miles to the north is Studland Bay and Nature Reserve,
where the local Sandbanks ferry gives easy access to the town
of Poole. Behind are the Purbeck Hills. Wareham is 10 miles northwest
and Dorchester is 30 miles to the west. Book : Dorset County Atlas. Author: Geographers'
A-Z Map. |
More information and
accommodation : Swanage.
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Weymouth. Weymouth is a seaside town in Dorset, situated on
a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the south coast.
It is located on the A354. It is 8 miles south of Dorchester,
and 5 miles north of the Isle of Portland. South of the town
is Portland Harbour, the Isle of Portland and the 18 mile bank
of pebbles known as Chesil Beach. Weymouth had a long history
as a port before it was popularised as a fashionable bathing
resort by the "mad" King George 111 who became the
first reigning monarch to follow the craze. Book: Dorchester and Weymouth, Cerne Abbas and Bere
Regis (OS Landranger Map). |
More information and
accommodation : Weymouth.
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Wimbourne Minster. Wimborne Minster is an ancient market-town in the
eastern part of Dorset between Ringwood and Poole, located off
the A31. The town is about 7 miles north of Poole, and 8 miles
west of Ringwood. Wimborne Minster is pleasantly situated on
the River Stour, near its confluence with the Allen. The main
interest in the town is the great church, the Minster of St Cuthberga,
built on the site of an 8th century monastery with massive twin
towers that dominate the town. The Chained Library above the
choir vestry is Wimborne's most prized possession and one of
the oldest public libraries in the country. Book : Bournemouth and Purbeck, Wimborne Minster and
Ringwood (OS Landranger Map). |
More information and
accommodation : Wimbourne
Minster.
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Dorset
Attractions |
