Out
and About
If you are feeling active,
you can try your hand at just about anything in West Dorset. Walkers
can choose from miles of heritage coast path, a programme of over 300
guided coast and countryside walks and events, leisurely pub strolls
or fascinating town trails. There is an excellent range of golf courses
and riding centres as well as plenty of opportunities to fish inland
or off the coast.
For the latest events and information visit: www.westdorset.com
Walking
Walking
gives you the freedom to get off the beaten track and absorb the sights,
sounds and scents of the countryside, to discover attractive villages
with their picturesque cottages, fine old churches and welcoming pubs,
to explore the nooks and crannies of historic towns full of architectural
interest, or simply to admire the views.
Whether you prefer a relaxing ramble or an exhilarating trek, you will
find West Dorset offers the perfect walking country. With miles of paths
and tracks it is easy to take a short break from the noise and bustle
of modern life and enjoy a little exercise at your own pace. Walks include:
• Liberty Trail
A 28 mile route across the hill and vales from Ham Hill to the Dorset
coast of Lyme Regis following the footsteps that Monmouth’s men
took in 1685.
• Wessex Ridgeway
Runs for 137 miles from Marlborough in Wiltshire to Lyme Regis and forms
part of the Great Ridgeway, an ancient highway providing a long distance
path through many of West Dorset’s most beautiful landscapes.
• The South West Coastal Path
• Monarch’s Way
Cycling
West Dorset is almost entirely designated as an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty with a spectacular coastline, and is perfect for exploring
on two wheels. You’ll find sleepy villages, bustling market towns,
river valleys and gentle chalk downlands behind the famous Chesil Beach.
The NCN (National Cycle Network) is for all cyclists whether you’re
a keen cyclist or just looking to have some fun, making the most of
cycling in west Dorset.
NCN Route 2 in West Dorset is between Dorchester and the Devon border
near Lyme Regis, approximately 30 miles. The entire route is manageable
in one day, but has been designed to take in a number of West Dorset’s
historic towns and picturesque villages.
The NCN Route 2 passes CHAMPERNHAYES enabling you to divide up the route
and take detours, or plan your own trips off the main rote, and take
tome discovering the real west Dorset for yourself.
World Heritage Site
The
Jurassic Coast – England’s first natural World Heritage
Site. This unique stretch of coastline has joined the ranks of the Great
Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon as one of the wonders of the Natural
World. The Dorset and East Devon coast has become a World Heritage Site
due to its outstanding geology, which represents 186 million years of
earth history in just 95 miles.
The best place to find fossils is in West Dorset – just remember
that it is safer to look on the beach, not on the cliffs. It is also
worth remembering that the ideal time to find fossils is during the
winter months when the rough seas have washed away soft mud and clays,
making the Jurassic Coast the perfect choice for a Winter break.
The Jurassic Coast is stunningly beautiful, with unparalleled range
of natural features. The variety of beaches, bays and cliffs result
in a constantly changing landscape, with such spectacular features as
the Hooken Landslide, Chesil Beach and Durdle Door.
The coast is well served by the towns and villages, which act as gateways
to the Jurassic site, and you will notice the changing character of
the coast due to the use of local stone. Such famous stones as Beer,
Portland and Purbeck have shaped the character of the towns and villages
and have also been used in the construction of the finest buildings,
Cathedrals and churches throughout the UK and the World.
The
Eden Project
Less than 2 hours drive away, the Eden Project is a global garden for
the 21st Century. In the humid Tropics Biome you can experience the
sights, smells and sheer scale of the rain forest in the world’s
largest greenhouse. Discover the tropical plants found in the products
that you use every day and understand the ways in which they are being
managed for the future.www.edenproject.com
