3 Gollop Cottages, Bowood, Dorset
Sightseeing
Four miles south of the cottage is this lively market town of Saxon origin with Georgian buildings housing many independent shops like Cilla and Camilla Gifts, Framptons Butchers, Leakers Bakery and cafes (Aroma, Beach and Barnicott) as well as chain stores like Boots, Smiths, Waterstones, Fat Face, Superdrug and Waitrose. The Saturday market on South and East streets is well worth a visit. Best time to be there is between 9 and 11 am.
154 locals recommend
Bridport
Four miles south of the cottage is this lively market town of Saxon origin with Georgian buildings housing many independent shops like Cilla and Camilla Gifts, Framptons Butchers, Leakers Bakery and cafes (Aroma, Beach and Barnicott) as well as chain stores like Boots, Smiths, Waterstones, Fat Face, Superdrug and Waitrose. The Saturday market on South and East streets is well worth a visit. Best time to be there is between 9 and 11 am.
Lyme has everything - a sandy beach, great views, scenic walks, history, a museum, cafes, restaurants, shops, an amusement arcade, trampolines...
Go in the morning to avoid the crowds.
326 locals recommend
Lyme Regis
Lyme has everything - a sandy beach, great views, scenic walks, history, a museum, cafes, restaurants, shops, an amusement arcade, trampolines...
Go in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Stunning scenery, great ice-cream, a rope playground, Rise and Watch House cafes, funfair in summer
167 locals recommend
West Bay
Stunning scenery, great ice-cream, a rope playground, Rise and Watch House cafes, funfair in summer
National Trust Beach and The Hive Cafe for food. Car park at the beach.
67 locals recommend
Burton Bradstock
National Trust Beach and The Hive Cafe for food. Car park at the beach.
Managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust, over 700 acres of unspoilt West Dorset countryside trails through wild flower meadows and woodland. The Humble Bee cafe serves refreshments.
Kingcombe Centre
Managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust, over 700 acres of unspoilt West Dorset countryside trails through wild flower meadows and woodland. The Humble Bee cafe serves refreshments.
Subtropical Gardens, Swannery and the prettiest coastal drive to get there.
80 locals recommend
Abbotsbury
Subtropical Gardens, Swannery and the prettiest coastal drive to get there.
Cogden Beach
South West Coast PathQuiet, peaceful and unspoilt National Trust beach
2000 acres of National Trust owned paths through beautiful countryside with Bronze Age burial mounds, a Medieval chapel, Tudor beacon site. Stunning views from the highest point on the South Coast and The Anchor Inn for refreshments at the bottom of the hill in Seatown.
103 locals recommend
Golden Cap
2000 acres of National Trust owned paths through beautiful countryside with Bronze Age burial mounds, a Medieval chapel, Tudor beacon site. Stunning views from the highest point on the South Coast and The Anchor Inn for refreshments at the bottom of the hill in Seatown.
About an hour away but worth a visit if you like aeroplanes/military history. There are planes from the World Wars and Falklands War as well as a Concord.
63 locals recommend
Fleet Air Arm Museum
About an hour away but worth a visit if you like aeroplanes/military history. There are planes from the World Wars and Falklands War as well as a Concord.
Medieval Abbey turned Stately Home in 30 acres of gardens. Teashop and plant centre and some events in Summer.
60 locals recommend
Forde Abbey House and Gardens
Medieval Abbey turned Stately Home in 30 acres of gardens. Teashop and plant centre and some events in Summer.
Daily 1 hour tour of the Quarry Caves which provided the stone for many of England's cathedrals, village with nice beach, Pecorama railway.
93 locals recommend
Beer
Daily 1 hour tour of the Quarry Caves which provided the stone for many of England's cathedrals, village with nice beach, Pecorama railway.
Just over an hour from the cottage is this Norman castle, ruined in the English Civil War and now managed by The National Trust. Wonderful views and pleasant walks. A great place for a picnic or there are great pubs in Corfe Castle village. Drive 15 minutes on from here to reach Studland Bay.
425 locals recommend
Corfe Castle
Just over an hour from the cottage is this Norman castle, ruined in the English Civil War and now managed by The National Trust. Wonderful views and pleasant walks. A great place for a picnic or there are great pubs in Corfe Castle village. Drive 15 minutes on from here to reach Studland Bay.
Vineyard
Very local (1 mile/5 minutes by car) award-winning vineyard and cellar shop. Tours of the vineyard and wine tasting can be booked.
14 locals recommend
Furleigh Estate
Very local (1 mile/5 minutes by car) award-winning vineyard and cellar shop. Tours of the vineyard and wine tasting can be booked.
Food scene
Brassica Restaurant
4 The SquareStylish restaurant which serves great food
The Ollerod
3 Prout HillAnother great restaurant in Beaminster
Bombay Spice
24-26 Hogshill StTake-away curry house in Beaminster
Historic thatched pub in Melplash serving good food with nice garden and marquee.
12 locals recommend
The Half Moon
Historic thatched pub in Melplash serving good food with nice garden and marquee.
Famous restaurant on the beach in Burton Bradstock with amazing fish dishes.
148 locals recommend
Hive Beach Cafe Burton Bradstock
Beach RoadFamous restaurant on the beach in Burton Bradstock with amazing fish dishes.
Delicious Mediterranean Food, great service, Central Bridport location.
20 locals recommend
Olive Tree
59 East StDelicious Mediterranean Food, great service, Central Bridport location.
Quirky location in train carriages in West Bay. Specialises in local fish.
22 locals recommend
The Station Kitchen
Station RoadQuirky location in train carriages in West Bay. Specialises in local fish.
Set in a beautiful Hamstone village in South Somerset. Half an hour’s drive from the cottage but well worth it for a special meal in a tasteful setting.
48 locals recommend
Lord Poulett Arms
High StreetSet in a beautiful Hamstone village in South Somerset. Half an hour’s drive from the cottage but well worth it for a special meal in a tasteful setting.