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Explore the Dorset National Landscape Map

Dorset National Landscape covers just over 40% of Dorset, stretching from Lyme Regis to Poole Harbour and inland as far as Blandford Forum.
Heritage Open Days 2025
Culture
Inside Out Festival – Consequences
Culture
Nature Buddies Network webinar for Health Care Professionals
Events
Discovery Fest – a vibrant celebration of community, nature & coastal life
Food
Valley to Market Food Trail
Follow the historic footsteps of the valley’s farmers taking their produce to Dorchester’s market.
Food
Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve
A magical pocket of mixed woodland and heath site
Great views
West Dorset Bus Stop Walks
A series of walks starting from bus stops along the Jurassic Coaster bus route
Great views
Hogchester Meadows
Explore 50 acres of wildflower meadows between mid May to the end July.
Great views
Worth Matravers
Picturesque village with stunning views and great walks ...
Great views
Dorset Food & Drink Winter Food Fair
Food
Lewesdon Hill
An alluring National Trust Hillfort, great for den building, picnics and the fiery hues of autumn.
History & heritage
Okeford Hill
Outstanding views over the Blackmore Vale and beyond. A tranquil place to explore.
History & heritage
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.
History & heritage
Povington Hill
Lift your spirits with wide sweeping coastal views and some kite flying here
Great views
Peveril Point & Swanage Downs
Strolls, picnics and tiptop views!
Great views
South Beach, Studland
Good for rockpooling
Great views
Knoll Beach, Studland
Not just a beautiful beach backed by the wilderness of dunes, it's also easy to explore Purbeck's special heathland from here too.
Great views
Purbeck Heaths
The Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve, declared in 2020, is steeped in natural beauty, bursting with wildlife, full of historic picturesque villages and places to visit
Great views
Swyre Head
Staggering views across Purbeck to the Jurassic Coast - well worth the walk.
Great views
Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint, Creech Hill
Stunning panoramic views across Purbeck to the Jurassic Coast
Great views
Walk Dorset’s History
Explore the history of a place using these easy access walk guides that introduce you to what is unique in Dorset's villages and towns.
History & heritage
Bridport Walks
Explore the heritage and green spaces around this bustling market town.
History & heritage
Woolland Hill
Get away from the coastal crowds and enjoy commanding panoramic views over the Blackmore Vale. Beautiful all year round.
Great views
Ringstead Bay
Escape the crowds at this quiet shingle beach on the Jurassic Coast.
Great views
Spyway Dinosaur Footprints
Get up close to a legacy of the prehistoric past .....
Great views
Tyneham and Worbarrow Bay
Tyneham Village - where time stopped in 1943 .....
Great views
Lyme Regis and Uplyme
Walk inland from Lyme Regis towards Uplyme following the path of the River Lim. Find beautiful countryside views and peaceful spots away from the hustle and bustle of the seafront.
Culture
Ringmoor and Turnworth Down
A good bluebell wood in a forgotten part of Dorset. Perfect for a leg stretch and plenty of fresh air.
Great views
Milldown Nature Reserve
A pretty patch of countryside with areas of woodland and species-rich chalk grassland.
Walks
Kingcombe Meadows and Centre
A hidden gem for gentle walks around the nature reserve, picnics and a cafe with delicious cake!
Food
Powerstock Common
Gentle walks through the trees and meadows of this Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve.
Great views
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.
Food
Colmer’s Hill
An iconic hill in West Dorset, recognisable for its conical shape with a tuft of trees at the top.
Great views
Cerne Valley Way
This circular walk takes in the hamlets and villages of Minterne Magna, Cerne Abbas, Nether Cerne, Godmanstone, Forston and Charminster.
Great views
Frome Valley Trail
Starting at Evershot, the second highest village in Dorset, this walk meanders close to the River Frome towards Poole Harbour.
Great views
West Bay
An easy to reach part of the Jurassic coast with great cliffs (head for the pier to see them in full glory), working harbour and Discovery Centre.
Food
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 Blackmore Vale.
Culture
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Learn all about the Jurassic Coast and the popular pastime of fossil hunting!
Food
Stonebarrow
Beautiful countryside and stunning coastal views, with great open spaces to picnic and potter. The smugglers trail will keep the kids entertained.
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, follow the paths to Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast.
Great views
Coney’s Castle
One of the smaller hillforts looked after by the National Trust. A tranquil place to walk, ideal for a short circular walk with views across the Marshwood Vale to the east, and Devon to the west.
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
A short steep walk gives outstanding views across the Jurassic Coast, with the reward of a dip in the sea or cream tea close by.
Food
Lambert’s Castle
Iron Age hillfort with sweeping views across the Marshwood Vale and out to sea.
Great views
Pilsdon Pen
Iron age hillfort with panoramic views across the Marshwood Vale
Great views
St Catherine’s Chapel, Abbotsbury
A short steep walk gives outstanding views across the Jurassic Coast and South Dorset Ridgeway
Great views
Dorset Pedal: Hillforts and the Vale
Start off with seaside and fossils at Charmouth, explore the heights of the ancient hillforts of Coney’s and Lambert’s Castles.
Food
Dorset Pedal: The Frome Valley
Following the River Frome and Sydling Water up and down their respective valleys and through water meadows.
Food
Dorset Pedal: Bridport and Netherbury
Food
Dorset Pedal: Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Ridge
Food
Dorset Pedal: Studland and Wareham Ride
Food
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.
History & heritage
Exploring the South Dorset Ridgeway
Hidden in the hills between Dorchester and Weymouth lies a remarkable landscape just waiting to be discovered.
History & heritage
Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
The Jurassic Coast is England’s only natural World Heritage Site. It stretches 95 miles, from Orcombe Point near Exmouth to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage.
Great views
Osmington White Horse
A seaside hamlet with a fascinating geology & close by iconic chalk figure cut into the hillside.
Great views
Maiden Castle
Iron age hill fort with stunning views across West Dorset
Great views
Kimmeridge Bay
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
Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door
Gentle walks along the coast or follow the South West Coast Path National Trail for a longer stretch and appreciation of the Jurassic Coast.
Great views
Kingston Russell Stone Circle
4000 year old stone circle, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ancient landscape.
Great views
Hell Stone
Ancient long barrow, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ceremonial landscape.
Great views
Hampton Down Stone Circle
Part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ancient landscape, you can see this 4000 year old stone circle while walking on the South Dorset Ridgeway National Trail.
History & heritage
Grey Mare and her Colts
Part of the South Dorset Ridgeway ancient landscape, the barrow was built on the ridge with stunning views to the coastline and beyond.
Great views
Golden Cap
The highest point on the south coast and part of the National Trust's Golden Cap estate.
Great views
Eggardon Hill
Iron age hillfort with stunning views across West Dorset
Great views
Durlston Country Park
Whether you love the coast, meadows or woodland best - Durlston is the place for you! Sit and enjoy the panoramic views or follow one of the trails to get a wonderful nature experience. Fantastic free visitor centre, easy parking, café and events all year round.
Great views
Corfe Castle and Purbeck Park (Norden)
Traditional Purbeck village with iconic ruined castle, flower filled commons, lovely walks and cycle trails.
Culture
Dorset Pedal: Milton Abbas & the Chalk Downs
Food
Cerne Giant and Cerne Abbas village
Standing at 180ft tall, the Cerne Giant is Britain's largest chalk figure and certainly a sight to see!
Culture
Bronkham Hill
The South Dorset Ridgeway has one of the greatest concentrations of Bronze Age funery monuments in southern England and Bronkham Hill is the most spectacular of these.
Culture
Brownsea Island
The perfect day's adventure - this island wildlife sanctuary is easy to get to but feels like another world from the moment you step ashore. This tranquil island in Poole Harbour has spectacular views and is famous for red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting!
Culture
Bridport Museum
A great place to discover how the rope and net making industry shaped the area. Also great for finding out more about the Jurassic Coast and its fossils.
Culture
Bracketts Coppice
A hidden gem in West Dorset. This is home to some of Dorset's best loved species including dormice, otters and woodpeckers.
Great views
Black Down and the Hardy Monument
Whether you want to have picnic, a short stroll or a longer hike, Black Down is the perfect place with outstanding views and LOTS of fresh air.
Great views
Ballard Down & Old Harry
Iconic feature of the Jurassic Coast, this chalk headland boasts giant rock stacks and dramatic cliffs. Wander further along Ballard Down for fantastic views of the Dorset heaths, Poole Harbour and the Jurassic Coast.
Great views
Arne Nature Reserve
Situated on Poole Harbour, a stunning landscape consisting of dramatic heathland and ancient oak woodland.
Great views
Allington Hill & Coopers Wood
Wooded hill in Bridport, great for wearing out the kids - or the dog! - picnics and peace.
Great views
Abbotsbury Hillfort
With stunning views across the Jurassic Coast and Abbotsbury village, this small Iron Age hillfort is well worth a visit.
Great views
Abbotsbury Swannery & Chesil Beach and The Fleet
Sanctuary for mute swans originally established by Benedictine monks in the fourteenth century, an ancient site sheltered by Chesil Beach and The Fleet.
Great views

Places to explore this autumn

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