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Abbotsbury
The charming village of Abbotsbury marks the centre of an area that has been settled for more than 6000 years. Within the present parish are…
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Beaminster
Beaminster is an old settlement, dating back to around the 7th century, when it was known as Bebingmynster, meaning the church of Bebbe. The…
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Blandford Forum
Blandford Forum was a major market town during the later medieval period. This was principally due to the fact that both the main road from…
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Bournemouth
It is possible for the tourist to view Bournemouth’s seven miles of golden sands and surrounding countryside from a hot air balloon. However…
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Bridport
Bridport is a small market town and fishing port, for many years the main producer of ropes in the country. It became a fortified burgh, established…
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Cerne Abbas
The Cerne Abbas Giant is also known as the “Rude Man”, for obvious reasons. It is the largest hill drawing in Britain and one of…
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Christchurch
During the Iron Age, the area between the rivers Avon and Stour were settled and the town of Christchurch was born. From Saxon times, the Great…
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Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle is a village, civil parish and ruined castle with views stretching across the width of the Isle of Purbeck. The castle, which overlooks…
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Dorchester
Dorchester is the county town of Dorset. To anyone who has read and enjoyed the novels of Thomas Hardy it is synonymous with the Wessex novels.…
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Ferndown
The name, Ferndown, is believed to have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “fiergen”, which means wooded hill, and this area,…
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Gillingham
Gillingham, the Leddenton of Thomas Hardy's novels, is situated in the Blackmore Vale, and is the most northerly town in Dorset. The town is…
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Lyme Regis
Situated at the mouth of the river Lym, Lyme Regis is the most westerly town in Dorset. It lies halfway between Exeter, to the west, and Dorchester,…
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Poole
Dorset's largest town and industrial centre is the old port of Poole, which boasts one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The River…
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Portland
Portland is not really an island but is reached over a narrow causeway from Chesil Beach. It is a huge block of limestone, measuring 4.5 miles…
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Purbeck
Purbeck is a district of Dorset that takes its name from the peninsula known locally as the 'Isle of Purbeck'. This sixty square mile chunk…
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Shaftesbury
At over 750 feet above sea level, Shaftesbury is one of the highest towns in England. It was known as “Caer Palladur” in Celtic…
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Sherborne
Sherborne has much to offer visitors and is one of the most beautiful towns in England. Situated on the Dorset and Somerset border it has excellent…
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Sturminster Newton
Sturminster Newton is a pretty Dorset town, in the Stour farmlands, where there has been a market since 1272. It is situated in the beautiful…
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Swanage
The town of Swanage is on the Isle Of Purbeck, a spur of land jutting out into the English Channel. The wide Swanage Bay gives good views to…
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Wareham
There was a Roman settlement at Wareham and the modern town has grown up over this. It is believed that the transport of that time took advantage…
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Weymouth
Weymouth Bay has often been described as England’s Bay of Naples. It has something to offer everyone with golden sands, safe bathing and…
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Wimborne
Wimborne lies on the River Stour. It was an old Saxon settlement and the foundation of the Wimborne Minster dates back to the beginning of the…
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Wool
Wool today is mainly modern and scattered, but there are a few remaining historic buildings. The 17th century gabled Woolbridge Manor House,…
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Yetminster
Yetminster is a lovely village, situated on the River Wriggle and built almost entirely of honey coloured limestone, and is well worth visiting.…
Dorset towns
Bournemouth Pier
Sherborne Abbey
Poole Harbour
Shaftesbury
Weymouth
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