Dorset

Dorset is a county in southwest England. It’s known for the Jurassic Coast, a long stretch on the English Channel where the cliffs contain many fossils, and rock formations show millions of years of geological history. Two prominent natural landmarks are Durdle Door, an ancient stone arch, and the layered cliffs at nearby Lulworth Cove. The towns of Poole, Weymouth and Swanage are popular for their sandy beaches.
When is your trip?

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Ready to plan your trip to Dorset? Organize and map your itinerary with our free trip planner.

Top destinations in Dorset

Bournemouth
1. Bournemouth
Most popular based on reviews
Check out Hengistbury Head Beach, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, and more
Weymouth
2. Weymouth
91% as popular as Bournemouth
Visit Jurassic Safari, Weymouth Harbour, and more
Poole
3. Poole
59% as popular as Bournemouth
Known for Brownsea Island, Farmer Palmer's Farm Park, and more
Wareham
4. Wareham
44% as popular as Bournemouth
Check out The Tank Museum, Tyneham, and more
Swanage
5. Swanage
29% as popular as Bournemouth
Visit Old Harry Rocks, Swanage Railway, and more
Dorchester
6. Dorchester
27% as popular as Bournemouth
Known for Shire Hall Museum, Sculpture By The Lakes, and more
Christchurch
7. Christchurch
22% as popular as Bournemouth
Check out Christchurch Priory, Bournemouth Aviation Museum, and more
West Lulworth
8. West Lulworth
21% as popular as Bournemouth
Visit Durdle Door & White Nothe Circular Walk, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, and more
I'll never travel to Dorset without this trip planner again
Learn more
Don't take our word for it
Slide 1 of 6

Top attractions in Dorset

Bournemouth Pier Amusements
1. Bournemouth Pier Amusements
4.1
(1231)
Video arcade
Outdoor Activities
Bustling waterfront entertainment center offering a variety of classic arcade games & casual eats.
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
2. Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
4.7
(10863)
Animal park
Nature & Parks
Visitors can view rescued & endangered primates in this open-air animal park with a gift shop.
Weymouth Beach
3. Weymouth Beach
4.7
(5529)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Curving, sheltered beach popular for sun bathing & swimming & once frequented by King George III.
The Tank Museum
4. The Tank Museum
4.8
(13325)
Army museum
Museums
Large display of tanks with interactive activities and regular exhibitions and events, plus a shop.
Durdle Door
5. Durdle Door
4.8
(5187)
Rock
Nature & Parks
This natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast is one of Dorset's most photographed landmarks.
Oceanarium
6. Oceanarium
4.2
(5758)
Aquarium
Outdoor Activities
Explore marine ecosystems at a waterside aquarium, plus feeding sessions and an underwater tunnel.

Other notable attractions

Swanage Railway
Transit stop
Transportation
Heritage railway with diesel & steam locomotives, offering dining trains & driving experiences.
SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth
Aquarium
Nature & Parks
Family-friendly exhibits with a variety of sea creatures (most offer play areas & group packages).
Corfe Castle
Sights & Landmarks
Castles
Corfe Castle is a village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset. It is the site of a ruined castle of the same name. The village and castle stand over a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. Wikipedia.
Brownsea Island
Island
Nature & Parks
Hiking, picnics & wildlife viewing, especially of red squirrels, are popular at this historic spot.
Hengistbury Head Beach
Outdoor Activities
Beaches
Parking, toilets & a cafe are all available at this pebble beach with a nature reserve at one end.
Weymouth Harbour
Marina
Sights & Landmarks
Vibrant boating marina with shower facilities, a nearby sand beach & an annual seafood festival.
Bournemouth Pier
Sights & Landmarks
Piers & Boardwalks
Victorian pier with an amusement arcade, a variety theatre, a cafe and boat trips along the coast.
Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Art gallery
Museums
Eccentric Art Nouveau-style setting for private Victorian art collection and temporary exhibitions.
Bournemouth Parks - Lower Gardens
Park
Nature & Parks
Leafy green space featuring attractions such as mini-golf & a giant tethered balloon, plus events.
Poole Harbour
Harbor
Nature & Parks
Ready to plan your trip to Dorset?
Use our free trip planner for the easiest way to plan your vacation. No more switching between different apps, tabs, and tools to keep track of your travel plans.

Add places from guides with 1 click

We crawled the web so you don’t have to. Easily save mentioned places.

Collaborate with friends in real time

Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing.

Import flight and hotel reservations

Connect or forward your emails to get them magically added into your trip plan.

Expense tracking and splitting

Keep track of your budget and split the cost between your tripmates.

Checklists for anything

Stay organized with a packing list, to-do list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Get personalized suggestions

Find the best places to visit with smart recommendations based on your itinerary.
Plan on the go with our free travel app
With Wanderlog's mobile travel planner on Android and iOS, access and edit your trips wherever you go — even while offline.
Access and edit your trips wherever you go — even without a connection.
Get the iOS app from the App StoreGet the Android app from Google Play

4.9 on App Store, 4.7 on Google Play

Get the iOS app from the App StoreGet the Android app from Google Play
0 places saved to your trip to Dorset