Dorset
Dorset independent travel guide (2025): top things to do, popular tourism attractions, itinerary planning, accommodation, food, transportation, weather, and more - everything you need to know (updated August 2025) | Trip.com
About Dorset
Dorset Local Experiences Map
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Trip.Best: Dorset
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Popular Destinations
More popular destinations
Bournemouth
Poole
Weymouth
Tyneham
Dorchester
Lyme Regis
North Dorset District
Sherborne
Things to do in Dorset
What to do
Looking for things to do in Dorset? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.
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Durdle Door
4.2
4.8/510 Reviews
Natural scenery
Open year round, 24/7
Train_girl:“Great place for a walk along the coast path, even on a rough day. there are steps down to the beach at Durdle Door, worth a visit, just watch the tide!”
Bournemouth Pier
4.1
4.5/523 Reviews
Opening hours: 09:00-23:00
Sqrz_96:“Bournemouth Pier is a great spot for fun for those of all ages. There are several food outlets, an amazing and varied attraction offering and even boat trips. You can't miss people in drives enjoying the zip wire activities too.”
The Tank Museum
3.8
5.0/53 Reviews
Museums
Open tomorrow at 10:00-17:00
M32***23:“The Bovington Tank Museum is divided into four main exhibition halls, namely the First World War and the Intermediate Exhibition Hall of the Two World Wars, the Second World War Exhibition Hall, the Cold War British Army Exhibition Hall and the Tank Development History Exhibition Hall. The last exhibition hall integrates the tank models of various countries in various periods, but what is a bit puzzling is that can't the first three exhibition halls constitute a history of tank development? The biggest advantage of the Bovington Tank Museum is not the number of exhibits, but the careful maintenance of each exhibit and the detailed and comprehensive historical introduction, including the origin of tanks, technological development, tactical evolution, and the actual combat use of tanks by the armies of various countries, etc., and through a large number of real car dissections, audio-visual materials and even shooting simulations, visitors can understand the charm of the tank, the king of land warfare, which can be said to be entertaining and educational, and can be called a "tank science education base."”
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
3.7
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Open tomorrow at 10:00-17:00
Corfe Castle
3.7
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Historic buildings
Open tomorrow at 10:00-17:00
Moors Valley Country Park & Forest
3.6
3.0/51 Reviews
Natural scenery
Open tomorrow at 08:00-18:00
M43***62:“Parked here to go for a bike ride. Don't bother. Park outside the park and ride in. It's £4 an hour to park which is disgusting considering this park is aimed at families. The park itself is lovely but how they can justify the high parking charges I do not know. I don't know of anywhere outside of London that charges such extortionate prices.”
Kingston Lacy
3.5
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Historic buildings
Open tomorrow at 09:30-17:00
Where to stay
Discover the most popular places to stay in Dorset, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers
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What to eat
Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Dorset dishes and foodie spots.
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The Real Greek - Bournemouth
4.0/5145 Reviews
Open tomorrow at 12:00
TheForkUser:“A really lovely table outside next to heater. The food was lovely and reasonably priced. The Greek sangria did the trick!”
Arbor
4.7/545 Reviews
Open Late
Avg. AU$43/person
Open tomorrow at 10:00
TheForkUser:“What an absolute gem! Fantastic food and such a lovely place too. Staff were so friendly and welcoming. Food was amazing - chicken terrine for him and Poached hake with a pea mousse, salt and vinegar gel, warm tartar sauce, potato scraps for me. Amazing!Both had the beef cheeks and risotto-delicious - Slow cooked beef cheek, risotto milanese, bone marrow butter and parsley Pudding if Arctic roll with lemon curd and white chocolate for him and Pistachio and Tahini Babka with Pistachio Ice Cream for me.Love red wine too”
Loch and Quay Bistro
4.6/543 Reviews
Open Late
Avg. AU$29/person
Open tomorrow at 12:00
TheForkUser:“It’s our favourite place to eat , the staff are so friendly and the food is always Amazing.There fish curry is Gorgeous and also best Roast dinner in Dorset”
Vicolo Restaurant Pizza and Pasta
4.8/566 Reviews
Open 12:00-23:00
TheForkUser:“Very welcoming and attentive service, authentic Italian food and typical Neapolitan pizza.I spotted this restaurant browsing online for our family weekend in Bournemouth knowing already what I wanted to order: pizza fritta, fried dough filled with salami and ricotta…very difficult to find normally. I was not wrong, I enjoyed every bite.Dessert was delicious too, service fast.”
The Curlew
4.9/525 Reviews
Open Late
Avg. AU$69/person
Open 11:30-23:00
TheForkUser:“Amazing food and excellent service from Sharon who went "over and above" to ensure we all had a fantastic experience; only our second visit, we will definitely make it a first port of call when meeting family/friends for a celebratory meal, plus recommend it to others”
Dane and Port
4.9/536 Reviews
Open tomorrow at 11:00
TheForkUser:“There was no menu, which was such a nice experience. All I had to say was "yes please" and "thank you". The pace of service was perfect. The Alchemist was on hand to answer any questions about the food she had prepared. Great vibe.”
Tickled Pig
4.9/5125 Reviews
Open Late
Open tomorrow at 12:00
TheForkUser:“This must be one of the best restaurants in Dorset, if not the best! Notwithstanding the fabulous fresh food that comprises all three menus (and you don’t have to stick to just one) the always friendly staff and terrific ambience make this my go-to eatery for simple evenings as well as “special occasions”.Easily on a par with Michelin starred London restaurants and better value too!Change of ownership hasn’t detracted at all, long may it continue.”
Willett Arms Wimborne
4.2/515 Reviews
Open 11:00-23:00
TheForkUser:“I took my grown Son and his huge German shepherd and sat outside to eat and drink.Service was great and the food amazing.He had the beef pie and said it was the best.I had the aubergine lasagna which was very tasty”
Toby Carvery Poole
4.3/512 Reviews
Open 8:00-22:30
TheForkUser:“Pleasant pre Christmas get together with friends. Most courteous to request for special seating. Friendly and courteous service and great carvery with the extensive selection of seasonal and festive vegetables”
Toby Carvery Northbourne
4.3/512 Reviews
Open tomorrow at 8:00
TheForkUser:“Very friendly people great atmosphere lovely setting great service just where we sat by the back door and windows was a bit chilly with overhead fan”
Toby Carvery Hinton
4.7/516 Reviews
Open Late
Avg. AU$14/person
Open 8:00-22:30
TheForkUser:“Thought we’d try a different Toby and not disappointed. Very generous meat portions and help yourself veg. We liked the laybiutveith more space tang done others”
The Plume Of Feathers
4.9/552 Reviews
TheForkUser:“The menu changes throughout the year and is always tasty, well presented and good value. The staff are friendly and the location, with views of the Abbey and the hidden courtyard garden, is great on a summer evening.”Dorset Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes
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A romantic manor of British aristocrats—an elegant day in Kingston Lacey!
EvelynThompson
Poole: A Dialogue Between History and Nature in a Coastal English Town
Ruby123~Rivera
myitinerary
Weymouth Trip
KittiwakeK
Stunning Seaside Experience at Bournemouth Beach
_TI***mx
Stunning Bournemouth Beach Experience
_TI***mw
🌊🏖️ Top Things to Do in Poole, Dorset 🛥️🎭
Ana Gashtarova
Lyme Regis: Lyme Regis is a town in west Dorset, England, 25 miles (40 km) west of Dorchester and east of Exeter. Sometimes dubbed the "Pearl of Dorset" it lies by the English Channel at the Dorset–Devon border. It has noted fossils in cliffs and beaches on the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site and heritage coast. The harbour wall, known as The Cobb, appears in Jane Austen's novel Persuasion, the John Fowles novel The French Lieutenant's Woman and the 1981 film of that name, partly shot in the town.
Kerrington
holidayitinerary
🏰🌄 Solo Time Traveler’s Dream: Corfe Castle – Dorset’s Ruined Sentinel
SonnySideUp
3
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Best of Dorset
Top 50 Luxury Hotels near Dorset
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Top 10 Scenic Hotels near Dorset
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Top 50 Cultural Hotels near Dorset
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Top 50 Instagrammable Hotels near Dorset
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Top 10 Vacation Homes near Dorset
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Top 20 Gourmet Hotels near Dorset
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Top 50 Premium Hotels near Dorset
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Top 50 4-Star Select Hotels near Dorset
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Other recommended cities
London
Cambridge
Edinburgh
Manchester
Popular Types of Attractions in Dorset
Historical attractions | Nature and wildlife | Natural scenery | Beaches and shores | Mountain climbing | Cultural institutions | Museums | Themed exhibition halls | Leisure activities | Farms and pastures | Spa/massage | Camping and campsites | Outdoor activities | Cycling | Mountain climbing | Shooting | Exhibitions & events | Performances | Concerts | Parks
Popular Attractions in Dorset
Bournemouth Pier | Boscombe Pier | Tower Park | Bournemouth Pier | Corfe Castle | Boscombe Pier | Durdle Door | Dorset National Landscape | Weymouth Beach | Durdle Door | The Tank Museum | Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre | Dorset National Landscape | SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth | Durdle Door | Stonehenge | End Of The Road 2025 | Thermae Bath Spa | Lyme Regis Beach | Seaton Tramway | Charmouth Beach | Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum | Stonehenge | Thermae Bath Spa | Charmouth Beach | Parkdean Resorts West Bay Holiday Park, Dorset | Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre | Durdle Door | Weymouth Beach | SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth
Popular Ranked Lists
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Popular Restaurants in Dorset
Arbor | Loch and Quay Bistro | Vicolo Restaurant Pizza and Pasta | The Curlew | Dane and Port | Tickled Pig | Willett Arms Wimborne | Toby Carvery Poole | Toby Carvery Northbourne | Toby Carvery Hinton | The Plume Of Feathers | Harry Ramsden's | Aruba Restaurant & Bar | The Crab at Bournemouth | LAMBS GREEN INN | Harvester Spyglass Inn Weymouth | Slug & Lettuce - Weymouth | Lolas Restaurant | Hunters Moon | The Three Legged Cross | The George Tapps | Days Restaurant | The Queens Restaurant | Chez Fred | The Kitchen | Clavells Restaurant | LEVEL8IGHT The Sky Bar | Bennett's Fish and Chips | Hot Rocks | Sala Thai Restaurant
Popular Destinations
St. Lawrence County Travel | Hamilton Travel | Ejin Horo Banner Travel | Ann Arbor Travel | Cheongju Travel | City of Onkaparinga Travel | Romantic Road Travel | Eugene Travel | Lynton and Lynmouth Travel | Türkiye Travel | Shawangunk Travel | Tafilah Travel | Clay County Travel | Big Rapids Travel | Missoula Travel | Shitai Travel | Amstelveen Travel | Walla Walla County Travel | Grasse Travel | Lone Pine Travel | Morondava Travel | Sarasota Travel | Cheboygan County Travel | Naantali Travel | Lewisboro Travel | Lubbock County Travel | Eisenstadt Travel | Brougham Travel
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
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Popular Trip Moments
Weymouth Trip | Stunning Seaside Experience at Bournemouth Beach | Stunning Bournemouth Beach Experience | 🌊🏖️ Top Things to Do in Poole, Dorset 🛥️🎭 | 🏰🌄 Solo Time Traveler’s Dream: Corfe Castle – Dorset’s Ruined Sentinel | 🏛️🌿 A Solo Aristocrat’s Day Out: Kingston Lacy – Dorset’s Venetian Palace in the Countryside | Through the Stone Arch: A Journey to Durdle Door | Coastal Charm: Exploring Bournemouth’s Seafront | White Cliffs and Sea Legends — A Journey to Old Harry Rocks | 🌞 A Seaside Getaway to Bournemouth: Sun, Sea & So Much More | Amazing Bournemouth Pier | Lower Gardens – Bournemouth, UK | One summer day in Bournemouth | Bournemouth: Where Victorian Elegance Meets Beachside Hedonism | Cliffside Strolls and Ocean Breezes at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove | Old Harry Rocks, UK 🇬🇧 | A Hidden Gem at the Edge of the World | 3-Day Itinerary in Bournemouth! | Bournemouth: The Beach Getaway That Beats Brighton | Great place to visit with family, The beach is busy in summers yet well maintained and therefore quite clean | is a fantastic place to visit, especially for families or anyone looking for a pleasant day by the sea | Beautiful park, Has lower and high parks and can takes you Bournemouth Beach, the pier, cafes, and amusements | What a unique place, This beautiful building was lovingly created by Merton Russell Coates and his wife Annie | Beautiful beach, soft sand, loads of parking and Great walking around Hengistbury Head. | Coastal Escape: My Journey Along England’s Jurassic Coast | Bournemouth, UK: The Jewel of the South Coast | Light The Way Forward! Portland Lighthouse 🇬🇧 | Sun, Sand, and Sea Breezes: A Summer Escape in Bournemouth | Bournemouth City Walk: A Seaside Stroll | Weekend in the UK | 3 hours in London🌊Seaside towns that locals love to visit
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