Dorset (Local, characterful guides to Britain's special places)

This new third edition of Bradt’s popular guide to Dorset – part of its distinctive series of ‘Slow Travel’ guides to local UK regions – has been thoroughly updated to reflect all the most recent changes to the region. Where – and what – to eat, where and when to go and what to see are all covered, providing an essential guide to one of Britain’s most rural counties. The author, a Dorset girl born and bred, says: ‘Many of Dorset’s attractions are well-hidden and known only to locals, who like to keep the county’s treasures to themselves. This guide takes you to those secret places and introduces you to some delightful Dorset locals past and present. Practical information covers accommodation, eating and drinking, and travelling in this unspoilt region.’

Dorset is quintessential rural England: rolling hills, thatched houses, narrow, winding lanes and stunning stately homes and gardens, all of which make it perfect for slowing down and discovering what really makes the region tick. The enchanting Dorset landscapes described in Thomas Hardy’s 19th-century novels are largely unchanged and are likely to remain so as the county has the highest proportion of conservation areas in England. A sense of history is conveyed by innumerable sites of archaeological interest, including Britain’s largest Iron Age hillfort, Maiden Castle, and the county is trimmed by the spectacular Jurassic Coast, England’s first natural World Heritage Site, whose cliffs are constantly revealing their prehistoric, fossilised secrets. For walkers, the Dorset section of the South West Coast Path, which includes part of the Jurassic Coast, offers some of the most spectacular seaside walks in England. This guide provides walking routes with maps to help you explore some of the finest sections of the coastal path, as well as other walks around the county.

Whatever your interest, be it local food, brewery tours, peaceful waterways, horse-riding, beach walks or simply escaping to an unspoiled corner, Bradt’s Dorset is the ideal companion.