Share this page!

Explore Dorset National Landscape

Autumn is a beautiful time to explore Dorset’s landscapes. Woodland walks glow with autumn colour, coastal paths offer crisp sea air and wildlife is on the move – from rutting deer to migrating birds. Enjoy peaceful trails, seasonal produce, and the quiet charm of nature winding down for winter.

Have a look below for a selection of places to go … or visit our Explore Map for fresh ideas closer to home.

Seasonal picks

Great views

Langdon Hill

Easy going woodland walks and space to make dens make this a good place all year round for a stretch, play and picnic. If you're feeling like a longer walk,…

Langdon Hill

Langdon Hill National Trust Car Park, Chideock, Bridport, UK

Easy woodland walks and play trail make this a good place all year round for a stretch, play and picnic. If you're feeling like a longer walk, follow the paths to Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast.

Good for walking and families, Family with young ones, Culture, Easy access

North Dorset Trailway

Walk, Bike or Ride along this splendid path which follows the line of the old Somerset & Dorset railway line and takes you through some of the picturesque villages of…

The North Dorset Trailway (c) Graham Rains

N Dorset Trailway, Blandford Forum DT11 0QL, UK

Walk, Bike or Ride along this splendid path which follows the line of the old Somerset & Dorset railway line and takes you through some of the picturesque villages of the Blackmore Vale.

History & heritage, Good for walking & families, Friends, Dog walkers

Milton Abbas

Imagine a quintessential storybook village and you'll picture Milton Abbas. This village lies in a wooded valley and is lined by whitewashed cob and thatch cottages.

Good chance of seeing deer, Walks, Wildlife

Arne Nature Reserve

Situated on Poole Harbour, a stunning landscape consisting of dramatic heathland and ancient oak woodland.

Arne Nature Reserve

Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ, UK

Situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it's a stunning landscape which consists of dramatic open heathland and ancient oak woodland.

Great for walks & picnics, Easy access

Allington Hill & Coopers Wood

Wooded hill in Bridport, great for wearing out the kids - or the dog! - picnics and peace.

Great for sealife & geology, Good for walking & families, Wildlife, Great views

Kimmeridge Bay Wild Seas Centre

Gentle walks along the coast or follow the South West Coast Path National Trail for a longer leg stretch and appreciation of the Jurassic Coast.

Great views, Good for walking & families

Pilsdon Pen

Iron age hillfort with panoramic views across the Marshwood Vale

Great views, Good for walking & families

Stonebarrow

Beautiful countryside and stunning coastal views, with great open spaces to picnic and potter. The smugglers trail will keep the kids entertained.

History & heritage, History & heritage, Good for walking & families, Dog walkers

Valley of Stones

This National Nature Reserve has an unusual train of sarsen stones – boulders strewn across the valley, tumbled down from the ridge during the last Ice Age.

Picnic spot

Frampton

Head to the Millennium Green for riverside picnics alongside the River Frome. Wander past the village hall to Harry’s Wood, great for leafy walks and shady picnics.

Frampton

32 Dorchester Rd, Frampton, Dorchester DT2 9NF, UK

Head to the Millennium Green for riverside picnics and duck watching. Wander past the village hall to Harry’s Wood, great for springtime flowers and shady picnics.