The county town of Dorchester is very small and has characterful shops, museums, arcades, busy Wednesday market, Roman remains and several historic buildings which feature in Hardys novels. His birthplace and final home nearby can be visited.The train service to Waterloo is 2 hours. Tourist Information Centre (01305 267992) Trinity Street (Antelope Walk).
Weymouth, just 6 miles south, is a large resort with a sandy beach and wide range of popular activities. The old harbour (fishing trips) is packed with yachts and lined with attractive, mostly old buildings; it leads inland to reed beds with RSPB bird watching. The Tourist Information Centre (01305 785747) is on The Esplanade.
The Isle of Portland is connected to the mainland by Chesil Beach and a bridge and is enjoyed by walkers, anglers, climbers, bird watchers and artists. Famous for its quarried limestone, the peninsular culminates at Portland Bill with its 136 foot lighthouse, built in 1903; nearby is the detached tower of stone known as Pulpit Rock. To the north lies Portland Harbour, one of the best sailing and windsurfing areas in Northern Europe. It is home to The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, host venue for the 2012 Olympic Sailing Events.The shore offers many contrasts: the unique Chesil Beach whose shingle bank encloses the Fleet lagoon (Abbotsbury swans at one end and oyster farm at the other); Weymouth's harbour and sandy beach lead finally to open shingle beaches backed by wild cliffs at the tiny settlements of Osmington Mills and Ringstead.
The inland route of the Coast Path has great views especially from Admiral Hardys Monument. Inland, footpaths abound. Cerne Abbas with its infamous Giant and Piddlehinton on the river Piddle can form the focus of a walk. Also easily accessible are Athelhampton stately home/garden, the Iron Age hill-fort of Maiden Castle and Kingston Maurward College gardens/lake.
The shore offers many contrasts: the unique Chesil Beach whose shingle bank encloses the Fleet lagoon (Abbotsbury swans at one end and oyster farm at the other) and terminates at Portland with its huge harbour, cliffs and coves; Weymouths harbour and sandy beach lead finally to open shingle beaches backed by wild cliffs at the tiny settlements of Osmington Mills and Ringstead.
Villages with one or more Dorset Coastal Cottages:
Affpuddle (cottage: 129): is a village in the Piddle Valley and dates at least from Saxon times and is named in the Domesday book as Affpidela. The church stands on the river bank and dates from the time of Edward IV. Many river and woodland walks start and finish from the village.
Broadmayne (cottages: 252, 355, 519): Easy access to Dorchester and the coast. Broadmayne has a small shop; both villages have pubs plus a network of paths to the Frome Valley and White Horse Hill overlooking the sea.
Charminster (cottages: 290, 443): An old village convenient for Dorchester on the river Frome with a fine church, shop, pubs and nearby golf course.
Coryates (cottage: 3413): Tiny rural hamlet within rolling contryside underneath Admiral's Hardy's Monument.
East Fleet (cottages: 425, 3434): A small hamlet made famous in the smuggling novel Moonfleet, close to the inland lagoon known as The Fleet and Moonfleet Manor Hotel.
Fortuneswell (cottage: 297): Linked to Weymouth via Wyke Regis, Fortuneswell was once an old fishing community with intriguing streets that wind their way up the steep hills of the Island. It has magnificent views that stretch for miles along the Chesil Bank to Lyme Regis and beyond.
Langton Herring A secluded village with a green, play area and good dining pub surrounded by fields. There are lovely walks to the nearby Fleet Lagoon and Chesil?s shingle beach, ideal for surf-cast fishing.
Little Waddon (cottage: 259): A tiny, rural hamlet nestling beneath Bronkham and Black Down Hills and Admiral Hardy's Monument, equidistant from Weymouth, Dorchester and the attractions in Abbotsbury.
Martinstown Near Dorchester but tucked away in the valley of the Winterborne, which meanders through the village with its traditional architecture, shop and pub.
Nottington (cottage: 126) The river Wey meanders through this quiet hamlet situated between Radipole and Upwey. A point of interest is Spa House, a carefully preserved octagonal house designed by Robert Vining built in 1830.
Osmington (cottages: 125, 239, 353, 390, 458, 3412, 3433, 3442): This pretty village, with a family pub, is off the Weymouth road in a valley beneath the inland route of the Coast Path and other wonderful walks. A mile down a country lane is a seaside hamlet with riding stables, famous pub and rocky beach.
Sutton Poyntz (cottages: 233, 350): In the lee of the downs above Weymouth with access to ridge paths, a stream, pond and pub complement this very picturesque village.
Ringstead (cottage: 317): This secluded and unsophisticated beachside hamlet has a seasonal shop and Dorset coastal scenery is all around in the ownership of the National Trust.Maiden Castle
Tincleton (cottage: 118): is a hamlet situated on the River Frome and was recorded in the The Domesday Book where it was valued at twenty shillings. The name 'Tincleton' comes from 'Tin la Ton' or 'Farm in a Valley'.
Upwey : An excellent spot for a holiday, this pretty village on the River Wey has a Wishing Well, tearooms, pubs and water gardens. It is convenient for all the attractions of Weymouth yet has direct access to open countryside.
West Knighton (cottages: 363, 3428): Is a small village on a winding lane with a pub and church with Thomas Hardy connections as he led the renovations in the 1890's.
Whitcombe (cottage: 333): An beautiful, old manorial estate with thatched cottages, a manor house, an unused church and two thatched tithe barns, convenient for Dorchester and Hardy's homes.
