Top 10 things to do in Bridport and West Bay

Set amongst the rolling hills of West Dorset, and just 1 mile from the coast is where you'll find the town of Bridport, renowned historically for its rope-making industry. On your visit through the town, be sure to look out for the long, narrow alleys or ‘rope walks’, where ropes were once twisted and laid out to dry.

Bridport has everything you might need for a relaxed, easy-going holiday in Dorset with activities for all ages and a plethora of things to do and explore on your doorstep. From an afternoon spent wine tasting at Furleigh Estate to walking the Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast, there's plenty to keep you occupied.

In this guide, we have compiled a list of the top 10 things to do in Bridport and West Bay. If you are planning a holiday, why not browse our collection of holiday cottages in Bridport today?

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• Visit Bridport Museum
• Stroll around Bridport Harbour
• Spend a morning at the Bridport Market
• Watch a show at the Bridport Arts Centre
• Take a trip to Palmers Brewery
• Walk the Golden Cap 
• Head to the Electric Palace and watch a film
• Play golf at Bridport Golf Club
• Head to Seals Cove for indoor fun
• Spend an afternoon at Furleigh Estate

Visit Bridport Museum

Photo credit: Bridport Museum

Bridport Museum is located right in the heart of the town, in one of Bridport’s oldest buildings. The exhibits and displays come together to tell a captivating story of the town’s history from its origins to the present day, with notable displays on artefacts from a nearby Roman hill fort and the famous rope and net-making industries.

Stroll around Bridport Harbour

Bridport Harbour, also known as West Bay, is a small and picturesque harbour at the mouth of the River Brit. It is located 1.5 miles from Bridport at the western end of Chesil Beach. The harbour is a wonderful place to visit for a harbourside stroll or a bite to eat. Chartered fishing trips are also available in the summer.

The West Bay Discovery Centre is worth a visit and tells the stories of the village both past and present. You can also find out how the harbour was used for the location filming of the TV drama, Broadchurch.

Spend a morning at the Bridport Market

The popular Bridport Market is held every Wednesday and Saturday from 8am until the middle of the afternoon throughout three of the town’s main streets. You can expect to find a diverse range of stalls selling a wide range of goods and produce including local food, clothing, jewellery, arts and crafts and much, much more. 

The Saturday market is particularly popular with many antique and bric-a-brac stalls in South Street which is a highlight for many visitors. With up to 100 stalls to choose from, there really is something for everyone.

Watch a show at the Bridport Arts Centre

Photo credit: Bridport Arts Centre

Bridport Arts Centre is a multi-art venue which hosts a wide variety of national and regional productions in theatre, music and dance. The centre also has an exciting programme of exhibitions throughout the year which attract over 10,000 visitors. 

Visit the website here to see the upcoming programme of live events.

Trip to Palmers Brewery

 
Photo credit: Palmers Brewery

Palmers Brewery is well worth a visit on your trip to Bridport; it has been brewing cask real ales since 1794 and is the last remaining thatched brewery in the UK.

The brewery runs guided tours daily Monday to Friday which last for 2 hours. The expert guides will take you through the historic brewery buildings and cover all aspects of the brewing process. Palmers Brewery tours are currently £16 for adults and £10 for children and need to be booked in advance via their website.

Walk the Golden Cap

Standing at over 190 metres tall, the Golden Cap is the highest point on the South Coast with views as far as Dartmoor in Devon, and along the coast to Portland Bill and Start Point! The flat-topped sandstone hill sits on the cliffs between Charmouth and Bridport. Several fabulous walks on the Golden Cap Estate also take in Stonebarrow Hill and Langdon Hill woodlands. 

Head to the Electric Palace and watch a film 

Photo credit: Electric Palace/Tim Booth

The Electric Palace is a unique 1920s theatre with a varied programme of film, comedy, music, theatre and more. The palace, which is owned by a local family, has recently undergone extensive renovation retaining and enhancing the original features as well as improving the cinema technology and stage equipment.

The auditorium is the largest arts venue in the area with a full calendar of events.

Play golf at Bridport Golf Club

Founded in 1891, Bridport Golf Club is the oldest in Dorset; it is situated at the top of East Cliff and enjoys breathtaking views across the Jurassic Coast and West Bay. For any golfing enthusiasts, the 18-hole course is an unforgettable experience, with one of the holes featuring a 27-metre drop. Bridport Golf Course is also regarded as one of the top 100 golf course holes in the world. 

Head to Seals Cove for indoor fun

Seals Cove is a family-friendly indoor adventure centre that is packed full of endless fun for the whole family! Featuring an indoor climbing centre, soft play, death slide, tunnels and interactive zone, Seals Cove is perfect, particularly if you are struggling for wet weather ideas.

While you visit, enjoy the tasty treats and food at the café that serves locally sourced food all day, and offers a wide choice of hot drinks, alcoholic beverages and child-friendly options.

Spend an afternoon at Furleigh Estate

Furleigh Estate is 85 acres of vineyard, lakes and grazing land where some of the best sparkling wine in the country is made. The vineyard now has 22,000 vines growing on the south-facing slopes which are used to produce Chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. 

The estate runs tours of the vineyard and winery on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from March until the end of October, with winter winery tours running on Fridays from November to the end of March. Tours should be booked in advance here.

Map of things to do in Bridport

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Bridport

If you haven’t booked yourself a holiday to Dorset yet, what are you waiting for? Browse our excellent range of self-catering holiday homes and cottages throughout Bridport and pick out the perfect retreat for you.