West Bay

West Bay nestles between Eype to the west and Burton Bradstock to the east. Situated at the western end of Chesil Beach / Chesil Bank, the area forms part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site within Lyme Bay. West Bay is a wonderful seaside location for family holidays, countryside and coastal walks, fossil hunting, fishing/angling trips, scuba diving, paragliding, golfing, river boating and so much more. The East beach was the location for the original opening sequence of "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" starring Leonard Rossiter. West Bay was also the location for the new TV drama "Broadchurch"starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman.

Weymouth

Weymouth and Portland have a history stretching back to the 12th century, with the area playing a part in the Black Death, the settlement of the Americas, the Georgian Era, and World War II.
Whilst fishing and trading in the port has declined in importance since its peak in earlier centuries, tourism has had a strong presence in the town since the 18th century. Weymouth continues to be a popular tourist resort, and the town's successful economy depends on its harbour and the beaches of Weymouth Bay. Weymouth is a gateway town situated approximately half-way along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

Dorchester

Dorchester is a great place to browse and shop. Most of the shops are centrally located, in pedestrianised areas. You’ll find big names and little boutiques.

History is all around you in Dorchester from Iron Age dwellings at Maiden Castle and Poundbury Camp, to the Roman amphitheatre at Maumbury Rings and mosaic-floored town house and chronicles in the Domesday Book.

Dorchester is deep in the heart of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex. Hardy based many of his novels on Dorset and ‘Casterbridge’ is based on Hardy’s home town of Dorchester.

Abbotsbury

On the doorstep of the jurassic coast, Abbotsbury, famous for its swannery and sub-tropical gardens sits behind the banks of the Chesil Beach and below an ancient abbey. This village really is a gem hidden in the hills.
The most ancient artifacts found in Abbotsbury suggest that the village has a history dating back 6000 years, from neolithic man (4500-2000 a.d) through the first kings of england to the present day.
The Swannery and Sub-Tropical Gardens

A colony of mute swans have nested for 600 years at the abbotsbury swan sanctuary. visit the swannery and watch the mammoth task of feeding the hundreds of swans here.

The sub-tropical gardens comprises 20 acres of fields filled with exotic and rare plants from all over the world. It also has a catalogue and nursery for the purchase of some of these beautiful plants.

Lyme Regis

Situated in the South West of Dorset, The West Country, England, UK, Lyme Regis is an historic unspoiled seaside resort and fishing port on the world famous Cobb harbour. Surrounded by beautiful coastlines and countryside, the area has now been awarded World Heritage Site Status; famous for its geology and fossil finds.

Bridport

Bridport is a vibrant and colourful town set amongst the West Dorset hills. Bridport has a long history, once renowned as the centre of the country’s rope and net making industry. Today it is dominated by a Georgian town hall and broad, wide open streets offering views of the countryside beyond.

Bridport is one of West Dorset’s most welcoming towns and is the ideal place to browse and shop.

Bridport makes an ideal centre for strollers, hikers, shoppers, swimmers, fishermen and all who come to enjoy the varied and beautiful West Dorset coastline.

Places and things to see and do

Palmers Brewery, Bridport,
Bridport Museum, Bridport,
The Broadwindsor Craft & Design Centre,Broadwinsor,
Beaminster Museum, Beaminster,
Mapperton House & Gardens, Beaminster,
Mangerton Mill, Bridport,
The surrounding countryside is ideal for walking and cycling. For cycle hire, spares and repairs visit bspoke in South Street.
Bridport's old cinema, the Electric Palace which closed several years ago has now been reopened and as well as showing the latest films also hosts some of the countries top performing artists.

Jurassic Coast

The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site is England's first natural World Heritage Site - it is known as The Jurassic Coast. It covers 95 miles of truly stunning coastline from East Devon to Dorset, with rocks recording 185 million years of the Earth's history.
World Heritage status was achieved because of the site's unique insight into the Earth Sciences as it clearly depicts a geological ‘walk through time' spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Electric Palace

Recently restored and reopened after many years closed Bridport's old cinema is now a major venue for top artists and latest films.

Whats on around Bridport

Click on more information for full details.

Bridport Arts Centre

Bridport's Art Centre caters for all tastes from plays and performing arts to educational themes.