Explore Dorset National Landscape
Step into Summer!
If you’re looking to get some fresh air and summer sunshine, we’ve compiled over 60 places to go across the Dorset National Landscape.
Whether you want to see the sea or explore wildlife inland, to let off steam with the kids or prefer a quiet ramble on your own, we hope you’ll find just the place to suit you!
![Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Thorncombe-Woods-Spring-Bluebells-c-Ann-Campbell-825x375.jpg)
Woods, Walks, Wildlife
Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve
![West Dorset Bus Stop Walks](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/View-from-Abbotsbury-Hillfortdreamstimemaximum_131764400-825x375.jpg)
Walks, Walks, Jurassic Coast
West Dorset Bus Stop Walks
A series of walks starting from bus stops along the Jurassic Coaster bus route
![Hogchester Meadows](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hogchester-c.-Nick-Howe-825x375.jpeg)
Meadows, Walks, Wildlife
Hogchester Meadows
Explore 50 acres of wildflower meadows between mid May to the end July.
![Worth Matravers](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Worth_Matravers-Picnic-cDiana_Jarvis-825x375.jpg)
History & heritage, Walks, Jurassic Coast
Worth Matravers
![Povington Hill](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/tynehamfields-825x375.jpg)
Great views
Povington Hill
Lift your spirits with wide sweeping coastal views and some kite flying here
![Peveril Point & Swanage Downs](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Peveril-Point-c-AONB-02-825x375.jpg)
Coast, Great views
Peveril Point & Swanage Downs
![South Beach, Studland](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Studland-Light-c-Dorset-AONB-MARTIN-DOLAN-sm-825x375.jpg)
Coast, Great views
South Beach, Studland
![Knoll Beach, Studland](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Rod_Courtman_Studland-Beach-825x375.jpg)
Amazing coastal walks and wildlife, Good for walking & families, Wildlife
Knoll Beach, Studland
![Purbeck Heaths](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Middlebere-Heath-2-resize-credit-Jon-Bish-825x375.jpg)
Walks & Wildlife
Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve
![Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint, Creech Hill](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/96j.-Lulu_Fountain_GrangeArch1-825x375.jpg)
Panoramic views
Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint, Creech Hill
Stunning panoramic views across Purbeck to the Jurassic Coast
![Woolland Hill](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Looking-North-from-Woolland-Hill_Tony-Gill-small-825x375.jpg)
Great views, Great views, Good for walking & families, Dog walkers
Woolland Hill
![Ringstead Bay](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ringstead-c-Mark-Simons-825x375.jpg)
Walking, swimming and views
Ringstead Bay
Escape the crowds at this quiet shingle beach on the Jurassic Coast.
![Spyway Dinosaur Footprints](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Spyway-2-c.-National-Trust-825x375.jpg)
History & heritage, Walks, Jurassic Coast
Spyway Dinosaur Footprints
![Tyneham and Worbarrow Bay](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/02-Pondfield-Cove-and-Worbarrow-Bay-825x375.jpg)
History & heritage, History & heritage, Good for walking & families, Jurassic Coast
Tyneham and Worbarrow Bay
![Lyme Regis and Uplyme](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rhs_top_915x686_lyme-825x375.jpg)
Walks, Jurassic Coast
Lyme Regis and Uplyme
![Ringmoor and Turnworth Down](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/bluebells-825x375.jpg)
Great for walks, good views
Ringmoor and Turnworth Down
![Kingcombe Meadows and Centre](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kingcombe-c-Mark-Heighes-825x375.jpg)
Walks
Kingcombe Meadows and Centre
A hidden gem for gentle walks around the nature reserve, picnics and a cafe with delicious cake!
![Powerstock Common](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Powerstock-Common-Winter-07_TG-825x375.jpg)
Walks
Powerstock Common
Gentle walks through the trees and meadows of this Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve.
![Milton Abbas](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Sedat-Ozkanca-07507897297-Garlic-Wood-Near-Milton-Abbas-825x375.jpg)
History & heritage, Good for walking & families, Friends, Dog walkers
Milton Abbas
![Colmer’s Hill](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Colmers-Hill-c-Max-Trafford-Dorset-AONB-Photo-Competition-e1631187780940-825x375.jpg)
Great views
Colmer's Hill
An iconic hill in West Dorset, recognisable for its conical shape with a tuft of trees at the top.
![Cerne Valley Way](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/VALLEYS-Rosie_Mathisen_Nether-Cerne-e1594102902771-825x375.jpg)
Good for walking , Walks
Cerne Valley Way
![Frome Valley Trail](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Frome-Valley-1-c-Ian-Rees-825x375.jpg)
Good for walking , Walks
Frome Valley Trail
![West Bay](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mark-Heighes-West-Bay-825x375.jpg)
Jurassic Coast
West Bay
![North Dorset Trailway](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Trailway-flowers-825x375.jpg)
Good for walking and families, Family with young ones, Culture, Easy access
North Dorset Trailway
![Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Charmouth-Heritage-Centre-dreamstimemaximum_138366923-825x375.jpg)
Jurassic Coast
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Learn all about the Jurassic Coast and the popular pastime of fossil hunting!
![Stonebarrow](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stonebarrow-East-to-Golden-Cap-3_TG-Copy-825x375.jpg)
Great views, Good for walking & families
Stonebarrow
![Langdon Hill](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Langdon-Walkers_TG-825x375.jpg)
Great views
Langdon Hill
![Coney’s Castle](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Coneys-Castle-National-Trust-825x375.jpg)
Great views
Coney's Castle
![Hambledon and Hod Hills](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Paul-Haynes-Hambledon-Hill-at-dawn-small-825x375.jpg)
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.
![Bind Barrow and Hive Beach](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Burton-Bradstock-c-Kevin-Freeman-825x375.jpg)
Great views
Bind Barrow and Hive Beach
![Lambert’s Castle](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/View-from-Lamberts-Castle-825x375.jpg)
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.
![Pilsdon Pen](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Pilsdon-cDorset-AONB-Nathalie-Roberts-825x375.jpg)
Great views, Good for walking & families
Pilsdon Pen
Iron age hillfort with panoramic views across the Marshwood Vale
![St Catherine’s Chapel, Abbotsbury](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/St-Catherines-in-the-Clouds-e1556203669321-825x375.jpg)
Great views, Walks
St Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury
A short steep walk gives outstanding views across the Jurassic Coast and South Dorset Ridgeway
![Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Golden-Cap-Martin-Kemp-Dreamstime-2048-825x375.jpg)
History & heritage
Jurassic Coast
![Osmington White Horse](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/11-NOV-4c.-Daniel_Howe_Osmington_Mills-825x375.jpg)
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.
![Maiden Castle](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/graham_herbert_maiden_castle-825x375.jpg)
Great for history, Good for walking & families
Maiden Castle
![Kimmeridge Bay](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Kimmeridge-c-Kerry-Street-825x375.jpg)
Great for sealife & geology, Good for walking & families, Wildlife, Great views
Kimmeridge Bay Wild Seas Centre
![Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Lulworth-dreamstimemaximum_58351158-825x375.jpg)
Great for geology, Good for walking & families, History & heritage, Great views
Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door
![Kingston Russell Stone Circle](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Hampton-View-Towards-Abbotsbury-From-Hampton-Stone-Circle-2048-825x375.jpg)
Great for walks, South Dorset Ridgeway
Kingston Russell Stone Circle
4000 year old stone circle, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ancient landscape.
![Hell Stone](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paul-Haynes-Hellstone-825x375.jpg)
Great for walks, South Dorset Ridgeway
Hell Stone
Ancient long barrow, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ceremonial landscape.
![Grey Mare and her Colts](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Grey-Mare-and-her-Colts-by-Tony-Gill-2048-825x375.jpg)
Great for walks, South Dorset Ridgeway
Grey Mare and her Colts
![Golden Cap](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Golden-Cap-Martin-Kemp-Dreamstime-2048-825x375.jpg)
Great views, Jurassic Coast
Golden Cap
The highest point on the south coast and part of the National Trust's Golden Cap estate.
![Eggardon Hill](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Eggardon-Sunset-c-Tony-Gill-825x375.jpg)
Great for walks, Great views
Eggardon Hill
![Durlston Country Park](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Durlston-dreamstimemaximum_84205949-1-825x375.jpg)
Great for a day out
Durlston Country Park
![Corfe Castle and Purbeck Park (Norden)](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/12-DEC-44a.-Chris_Strong_Corfe_Castle_Illuminated-Dec2019-825x375.jpg)
Castle heritage & steam train rides, Walks, Great views
Corfe Castle and Purbeck Park
![Cerne Giant and Cerne Abbas village](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Cerne-Abbas-Giant-in-Spring-c-Tony-Gill-2-825x375.jpg)
Great for walks and picnics, History & heritage
Cerne Giant and Cerne Abbas village
![Bronkham Hill](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Abbotsbury-Tumulus-Infrared-825x375.jpg)
History & heritage
Bronkham Hill
![Brownsea Island](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RED-SQUIRREL-kevin-cook-2-825x375.jpg)
Brilliant for wildlife, Good for walking & families
Brownsea Island
![Bracketts Coppice](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Bracketts-Coppice-hayfields-©-Neil-Gibson_0-825x375.jpg)
A hidden gem, Wildlife
Bracketts Coppice
![Black Down and the Hardy Monument](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/SOUTH-DORSET-RIDGEWAY-Graham_Herbert_Blackdown_Forest-825x375.jpg)
Picnics, stroll or a hike, Great views
Black Down and the Hardy Monument
![Ballard Down & Old Harry](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/77c.-Lorraine_Finney_Old-Harry-Rock-June-2017-825x375.jpg)
Amazing coastal views, Good for walking & families
Ballard Down & Old Harry
![Arne Nature Reserve](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Dartford-Warbler-at-RSPB-Arne.-Credit-RSPB-825x375.jpg)
Good chance of seeing deer, Walks, Wildlife
Arne Nature Reserve
![Allington Hill & Coopers Wood](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mark-Heighes-Bluebells-825x375.jpg)
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.
![Abbotsbury Hillfort](https://dorset-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/10h-James_Loveridge_Abbotsbury_Hill-825x375.jpg)
Great for walks