Local towns

Sherborne is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful towns in England. With its abundance of medieval buildings, Sherborne has much to offer visitors, including a superb 1300-year-old Abbey - an important early example of perpendicular architecture and burial place of two Saxon kings. Sherborne Abbey is one of only 18 churches awarded five stars in Simon Jenkins' England's Thousand Best Churches. The area also features a picturesque Almshouse, two castles and Cheap Street, lined with boutique shops, art galleries, delicatessens and coffee shops. Enjoy lunch at The Pear Tree, a lovely delicatessen and café. 

Distance: 11.8 miles
Journey time: 27 minutes

The entire village of Charmouth is a World Heritage Site, and probably the best place to find the fossils constantly being exposed by the mudslides from the cliffs. Hammers are available for hire (alongside the buckets and spades) from the smart heritage centre. Return to Bridport where you could lunch at The Bull Hotel. En route, visit the Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast. The view from here is, of course, spectacular. Charmouth is also where some scenes from the TV drama ‘Broadchurch’ were filmed.

Distance: 19.5 miles
Journey time: 40 minutes

When Henry VIII dissolved the larger monasteries of England, he sold the lands forfeited from the Benedictine monks at Abbotsbury to the predecessors of the Ilchester family for whom Summer Lodge was built as a dower house. Abbotsbury, still owned nearly half a millennium later by the Ilchesters, is well worth a visit. Famous for its swannery, Abbey ruins, St Catherine’s hilltop chapel, tithe barn (now home to a children’s farm) and beautiful town crammed with pubs, coffee shops, antique stores and galleries, one should also visit the sub-tropical gardens and the 18-mile pebble barrier known as Chesil beach.

Distance: 16.1 miles
Journey time: 32 minutes

A coastal town in Dorset, Poole's attractions are its award-winning sandy beaches and having the second-largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney, Australia. There is plenty to do and see in Poole, and the harbour's shallow waters make it perfect for water-based activities, including sailing, or fishing. On land, you can visit Brownsea Island, a wildlife sanctuary home to the red squirrel and a large variety of birds. The town centre is also a walkable distance away, perfect for shopping at independent stores and grabbing a bite to eat.

Distance: 36.4 miles
Journey time: 50 minutes 

The largest city in Somerset, Bath is most famous for its Roman-built baths, making it the perfect location for leisurely pursuits and wellness. For this reason alone, it is one of the most popular cities visited by tourists every year. Bath also has other popular attractions including the Royal Victoria Park which hosts seasonal events and open-air concerts, as well as many museums and galleries to explore. The Royal Crescent, one of Bath's most iconic landmarks, is 500-foot-long and is an impressive example of Georgian architecture.

Distance: 49.5 miles
Journey time: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Located in Wiltshire, Salisbury is a city most famous for its Cathedral Church of Blessed Virgin Mary. The church has the tallest spire as well as the world's oldest working clock! It also has the original copies of the Magna Carta. Salisbury is home to an International Arts Festival which attracts some of the biggest names in literature. As well as independent shops and restaurants, the city has over 80 pubs despite its small size, boasting its own local brewery called the Hop Back. Stonehenge, one of the best-known prehistoric monuments in Europe is located just 9 miles from Salisbury and is easily accessible by car or public transport.

Distance: 54 miles
Journey time: 1 hour 20 minutes