Charmouth and the Jurassic Coast are world famous for their fossil hunting. Local fossil walks run from the Heritage Centre in Charmouth if you want a guided experience, but it is not essential.

Our favourite location to find fossils is walking along the beach on the east side of Charmouth towards Golden Cap. Go on a falling tide, and you can find pyorite fossils in the shoreline. No need to hammer the cliffs!

Lyme Regis is the local coastal town, and a fantastic place to visit for its seaside charm, shopping, plethora of cafes and restaurants, and seafront and beach. Some of our favourite things to do in Lyme include hiring a Kayak or Paddleboard on the waterfront to explore the shoreline, walk the promenade, visiting the town mill with its array of boutiques and working mill, and mini golf where you can also explore the gardens with fantastic views.

Bridport is the local market town, with a wide range of shops. We particularly enjoy visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday to enjoy the regular market that extends through the town centre.

If you enjoy antiques make sure to explore some the backstreets where there are a wide variety of antique centres and shops in the old warehouses.

West Bay is a small harbour near Bridport, known as the setting for the TV show Broadchurch with its iconic cliffs. Along with lots of food kiosks, a number of cafes and restaurants, West Bay is a activity location, with lots of boat trips (fishing, speed boat, watersports etc), and the harbour itself a great location for fishing and crabbing.

A personal favourite of ours is West Bay Canoes, which starts in West Bay and rows back up the River Brit to Bridport on a guided trip.

A little further a field, but the village of Abbotsbury is host to two great attractions, as well as being a picture postcard village. The Abbotsbury swannery is the worlds only managed swannery of mute swans, and is particularly great to visit when the cygnets are hatching in May through July. The Sub-Tropical gardens near by is an 18th century garden, and is great to explore with a cafe on site as well.

Portland Bill is located at the southernmost tip of the Isle of Portland. It is perhaps best known for its lighthouse, which is painted in distinctive red and white colours. The lighthouse is open to visitors and it is possible to climb the steps during a guided tour. From the top you can enjoy impressive views across the English channel and watch yachts and fishing boats navigate a dangerous stretch of water, known as the Portland Race. There is visit centre, cafe, and cliff top walks to enjoy.

Furleigh estate is an award winning local vineyard, most known for its English Sparkling Wine.

The Estate offers tours of the vineyard and tasting regularly, which can be booked on their website. There is also a shop on site to sample and purchase.

If you enjoy golf, there are some beautiful courses just a stones throw away. Both Lyme Regis and West Bay golf club are cliff top courses offering spectacular views along the Jurassic coast. Both are open to visit and available to book.

Seaton Tramway operates narrow gauge heritage trams between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in East Devon’s glorious Axe Valley, travelling alongside the River Axe estuary through two nature reserves and giving an unrivalled view of the abundant wading bird life on a 3 mile track.