A Travel Guide to Dorset
Introduction
A short holiday break, or leisure break – typically for between 2 and 5 days – in the United Kingdom has become increasingly popular in recent years. The United Kingdom has natural beauty to rival almost any destination in the world – if not entirely predictable weather, to boot – and short holiday breaks can be arranged at short notice, to fit in with a hectic work and family life. Singles, or couples, can enjoy lively nightlife and entertainment, or enjoy a romantic weekend away, while working parents can find plenty to amuse themselves, and their children, and catch up on family bonding.
About Dorset
Dorset is one of the maritime counties of southern England, and its 90 miles of coastline – between Lyme Regis, in the west, and Christchurch, in the east – forms part of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, also known as the "Jurassic Coast". The county offers a selection of the finest sandy beaches to be found in the United Kingdom, and, being on the south coast – and far enough away from Atlantic Ocean to be unaffected, in the main, by Atlantic weather systems – enjoys relatively dry, and often sunny weather. Average daytime temperatures of 16°C, or 17°C, are regularly attained throughout the summer months.
Dorset offers a host of historical, cultural and family attractions, including, example, the Dinosaur Museum, in Dorchester, which features actual fossils and dinosaur skeletons, and the Swan Rescue Sanctuary, in Wimborne, where over 600 free flying swans can be seen, and fed. The Great Dorset Steam Fair – widely recognised as the largest fair, of its kind, in the world – is in its 40th year, and should appeal not only to enthusiasts of steam and vintage vehicles, with attractions, music and entertainment for the whole family. Online discount codes, and vouchers, are available for many of the attractions in Dorset.
How to Get There & Accommodation
Dorset has no motorways, but the major destinations in the county are connected by a network of main roads, and, for rail travellers, services are available from London, Birmingham, and elsewhere. For travellers from slightly further afield, Bournemouth International Airport receives budget flights – operated by EasyJet, and Ryanair, for example – from major, and provincial, airports throughout the United Kingdom.
The most popular holiday destinations – Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, etc. – offer a wide variety of holiday accommodation, including self-catering cottages, apartments and chalets, hotels, guest houses, camping and caravan sites, to suit all tastes and budgets.
|