West Dorset

Chesil Beach is both a spectacle and an enigma. A huge shingle bank stretching from Portland almost to the border with Devon

West Bay Beach is located next to a bustling harbour to which extends eastwards and westwards

Weymouth beach is a long, fine sandy beach that has been awarded the Blue Flag award on several occasions

A closer look at St Catherine's Chapel in Abbotsbury.

The chapel sits about 200ft above the village and was constructed entirely from local stone by monks from St Peter's Abbey in the town below

© iStockPhoto.com

Posted by Dorset Guide on Sat, 03/21/2009 - 21:43

The church of St John the Evangelist in Tolpuddle

Although much of the church is later there are parts dating back to the 12th century including a carved memorial to a priest named Phillip in the north transept.

Posted by Dorset Guide on Mon, 04/13/2009 - 10:08

The iconic Royal Hotel on Weymouth's Esplanade.

Built in 1888 the hotel is a stark contrast to the other plain Portland stone buildings that make up the seafront.

Posted by Dorset Guide on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 09:54

Some nice little yellow stone shops on South Street in Bridport

Posted by Dorset Guide on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 11:15

View down South Street, Dorchester's pedestrianised shopping thoroughfare

Posted by Dorset Guide on Fri, 06/05/2009 - 15:37

Office building in Beechwood Square in Poundsbury.

The new town on the outskirts of Dorchester has received mixed responses, particularly from the architectural community.
Personally I think time will tell and am not sure what the alternatives are.

Posted by Dorset Guide on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 13:41

West beach in West Bay. The beach is so named as it is on the western side of the harbour-mouth.

This stretch of pebble beach is somewhat more sheltered than that East beach

Posted by Dorset Guide on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 12:11

The Custom House was built in the late 18th century as a merchant's warehouse with accommodation.

The bow windows were designed this way so carts could pass underneath at street level.

The building was used as the custom house from the early 19th century through to 1985. It is now part of the harbour master's office.

Posted by Dorset Guide on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 16:05

The entrance to Nothe Fort complete with portcullis. The fort was built in 1872 to guard the entrance to Weymouth harbour and the military harbour at Portland. It operated until 1956 when it was closed. It was later bought by Weymouth council and is now run as a military museum.

Posted by Dorset Guide on Tue, 08/10/2010 - 12:13

Built by order of Abbot Vanne between 1458 and 1740, this is the largest building that survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries at Cerne Abbas.

The guest house provided accommodation for travellers. Hospitality was an important part of monastic duty.

Posted by Dorset Guide on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 10:17

Looking down Market Street in Abbotsbury. On the right is the Ilchester arms.

Posted by Dorset Guide on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 16:07