Welcome to Dorset
Explore the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
Located in the south west of England, Dorset is famous for its Jurassic Coast where the cliffs contain fossils and rock formations which show millions of years of history. Stand out geographical features include Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
YHA hostels in Dorset
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Things to do in Dorset
Five free things to do in Dorset
Broadchurch filming locations
Starring names such as David Tenant and Olivia Colman, Broadchurch is a smash hit and National Television award-winning TV series filmed across locations in Dorset, including the cliffs of West Bay. Find out more and unveil these locations here.
Durdle Door
Perhaps Dorset’s most iconic image, the majestic Durdle Door arch and the beautiful beach from which it extends is the jewel in the crown of the Dorset Coast and a must visit for anybody heading to Dorset.
Corfe Castle
Whilst Corfe Castle is dominated by its 10th century castle of the same name, the village itself is well worth paying a visit to, if only for a gentle stroll, a pub lunch and to enjoy dramatic views of the castle.
Beach walks
Dorset is home to an array of beautiful landscapes, ideal for stretching the legs and enjoying a stroll in a mix of sandy beaches, on the chalk clifftops or simply in the rolling valleys of the countryside.
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle is one of the most complex and dramatic Iron Age hillforts in Europe. Let the kids explore their imagination as they pretend to reenact battles between Britons and invading Roman soldiers, as the latter sought to capture the fort in AD43.
Inspiring landscapes and traditional seaside towns in Dorset
Occasionally overlooked in favour of its westward neighbours, Dorset is a stunning English county packed with historic buildings, glorious beaches and family attractions, making it a super option for a British holiday close to the coast. Its varied landscapes are both unique and inspiring: the Jurassic Coast has formed the backdrop to numerous books and films, and it’s not difficult to see why when you explore the jaw-dropping magnificence of the likes of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
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Abbotsbury Swannery
World Famous Sanctuary with over 600 free flying swans. Baby swans hatch mid-May to end June. Mass feeding 12pm and 4pm daily. Visit the website
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Arne Nature Reserve (RSPB)
A special landscape where you can enjoy the vast open heathland with an opportunity for bird watching. A fantastic place for family walks at any time of year. One of the few places in
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Athelhampton House & Gardens
A great day out in DorsetAthelhampton nestles in the Piddle valley, between Tolpuddle and Puddletown, and is easily reached from the A35 main road.The ancient manor of Athelhampton has been continuall
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Bournemouth
Serious shopping and entertainment centre. Tethered balloon flights, great beaches and top concerts throughout the year. Visit the Bournemouth website
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Bridport Museum
Discover the town's history and see artefacts from a nearby Roman hill-fort and the world famous rope and net making industries. Visit the Museum website
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Brownsea Island
The perfect day’s adventure, this island wildlife sanctuary is easy to get to but feels like another world from the moment you step ashore. The island sits in the middle of Poole Harbour, with dram
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Corfe Castle
Uncover the secrets of Dorset's iconic medieval monument and discover how royalty, warfare and nature have shaped the castle.
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Mangerton Mill
17th century working watermill and Museum of Rural Bygones. Tea room, local crafts and trout fishing in a peaceful, rural setting. Visit the Dorset Guide website
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Monkey World
160 rescued and endangered apes and monkeys including chimps and orangutans. Talks throughout the day and Great Ape play area for kids. Visit the website
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Mowlem Theatre
Opened in 1967, the Mowlem Theatre is situated on the sea front at Swanage and has over 200 film productions a year as well as 60-100 nights of live theatre.
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Studland Beach and Nature Reserve
One of the UK’s finest beaches and extensive nature reserve. Enid Blyton lived here, so look for Policeman Plod’s thatched cottage!
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Swanage
A friendly, colourful seaside town with an award winning beach, amazing chalk pillars of Old Harry's Rocks and a very English Victorian pier.
View some of our popular Dorset blog posts
Things to do in Dorset
Every month our friends at Cool Places give us a list of fun things to do in the many different regions of England and Wales. This month, it’s YHA Swanage and YHA Lulworth Cove on Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck...
Dog friendly youth hostels
Dog owners can take advantage of our range of dog-friendly youth hostels that offer camping pods, cabins, tipis, bell tents and pitch up facilities in their grounds...
9 hostels easily reached by public transport
One of YHA’s great selling points is the beautiful locations of its hostels. Some are remote, others in buzzing urban centres – but we like to think they’re all in reach. A huge number of our lodgings sit close to train stations or bus stops,...