Explore Dorset National Landscape
Blow away the cobwebs!
The cold crisp days of winter have arrived. Now is the time to wrap up warm, head out and explore the beauty of the landscape under its new wintery guise.
There’s lots to see and enjoy, from beautiful misty sunrises as the day awakens to deep, dark starry night skies. There’s a raw beauty to the land as trees take on new silhouettes without their leaves and beaches become yours alone to explore without the bustle of summer crowds.
Blow away the cobwebs with these suggestions for some great places to take in some fresh air and enjoy the beauty of the season. Whether you’re seeking some solitude, fancy a hearty hike in the hills or want a gentle ramble with family or friends, we have suggestions for everyone to make the most of this season.

Rides
Valley to Market Food Trail
Follow the historic footsteps of the valley’s farmers taking their produce to Dorchester’s market.

Woods, Walks, Wildlife
Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve

Walks, Walks, Jurassic Coast
West Dorset Bus Stop Walks
A series of walks starting from bus stops along the Jurassic Coaster bus route

Meadows, Walks, Wildlife
Hogchester Meadows
Explore 50 acres of wildflower meadows between mid May to the end July.

History & heritage, Walks, Jurassic Coast
Worth Matravers

Great views
Povington Hill
Lift your spirits with wide sweeping coastal views and some kite flying here

Coast, Great views
Peveril Point & Swanage Downs

Coast, Great views
South Beach, Studland

Amazing coastal walks and wildlife, Good for walking & families, Wildlife
Knoll Beach, Studland

Walks & Wildlife
Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve

Panoramic views
Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint, Creech Hill
Stunning panoramic views across Purbeck to the Jurassic Coast

Great views, Great views, Good for walking & families, Dog walkers
Woolland Hill

Walking, swimming and views
Ringstead Bay
Escape the crowds at this quiet shingle beach on the Jurassic Coast.

History & heritage, Walks, Jurassic Coast
Spyway Dinosaur Footprints

History & heritage, History & heritage, Good for walking & families, Jurassic Coast
Tyneham and Worbarrow Bay

Walks, Jurassic Coast
Lyme Regis and Uplyme

Great for walks, good views
Ringmoor and Turnworth Down

Walks
Kingcombe Meadows and Centre
A hidden gem for gentle walks around the nature reserve, picnics and a cafe with delicious cake!

Walks
Powerstock Common
Gentle walks through the trees and meadows of this Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve.

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

Great views
Colmer's Hill
An iconic hill in West Dorset, recognisable for its conical shape with a tuft of trees at the top.

Good for walking , Walks
Cerne Valley Way

Good for walking , Walks
Frome Valley Trail

Jurassic Coast
West Bay

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

Jurassic Coast
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Learn all about the Jurassic Coast and the popular pastime of fossil hunting!

Great views, Good for walking & families
Stonebarrow

Great views
Langdon Hill

Great views
Coney's Castle

History & Heritage, Walks, History & heritage, Great views
Hambledon and Hod Hills
With stunning views across the Blackmore Vale from these big and small Iron Age hillforts.

Great views
Bind Barrow and Hive Beach

Great views, Good for walking & families, West Dorset
Lambert's Castle
Iron Age hillfort with sweeping views across the Marshwood Vale and out to sea.

Great views, Good for walking & families
Pilsdon Pen
Iron age hillfort with panoramic views across the Marshwood Vale

Great views, Walks
St Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury
A short steep walk gives outstanding views across the Jurassic Coast and South Dorset Ridgeway

History & heritage
Jurassic Coast

History & heritage, fossil hunting, South Dorset Ridgeway, Walks, Great views
Osmington Mills & close by White Horse
A seaside hamlet with a fascinating geology & close by iconic chalk figure cut into the hillside.

Great for history, Good for walking & families
Maiden Castle

Great for sealife & geology, Good for walking & families, Wildlife, Great views
Kimmeridge Bay Wild Seas Centre

Great for geology, Good for walking & families, History & heritage, Great views
Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door

Great for walks, South Dorset Ridgeway
Kingston Russell Stone Circle
4000 year old stone circle, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ancient landscape.

Great for walks, South Dorset Ridgeway
Hell Stone
Ancient long barrow, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ceremonial landscape.

Great for walks, South Dorset Ridgeway
Grey Mare and her Colts

Great views, Jurassic Coast
Golden Cap
The highest point on the south coast and part of the National Trust's Golden Cap estate.

Great for walks, Great views
Eggardon Hill

Great for a day out
Durlston Country Park

Castle heritage & steam train rides, Walks, Great views
Corfe Castle and Purbeck Park

Great for walks and picnics, History & heritage
Cerne Giant and Cerne Abbas village

History & heritage
Bronkham Hill

Brilliant for wildlife, Good for walking & families
Brownsea Island

A hidden gem, Wildlife
Bracketts Coppice

Picnics, stroll or a hike, Great views
Black Down and the Hardy Monument

Amazing coastal views, Good for walking & families
Ballard Down & Old Harry

Good chance of seeing deer, Walks, Wildlife
Arne Nature Reserve

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 walks