Out and About
If you are feeling active, you can try your
hand at just about anything in West Dorset. Walkers can choose
from miles of heritage coast path, a programme of over 300 guided
coast and countryside walks and events, leisurely pub strolls
or fascinating town trails. There is an excellent range of golf courses
and riding centres as well as plenty of opportunities to fish
inland or off the coast.
For the latest events and information visit: www.westdorset.com
Walking
Walking gives you the freedom to get off the beaten track
and absorb the sights, sounds and scents of the countryside,
to discover attractive villages with their picturesque cottages,
fine old churches and welcoming pubs, to explore the nooks and
crannies of historic towns full of architectural interest, or
simply to admire the views.
Whether you prefer a relaxing ramble or an exhilarating trek,
you will find West Dorset offers the perfect walking country.
With miles of paths and tracks it is easy to take a short break
from the noise and bustle of modern life and enjoy a little exercise
at your own pace. Walks include:
• Liberty Trail
A 28 mile route across the hill and vales from Ham Hill to
the Dorset coast of Lyme Regis following the footsteps that
Monmouth’s men took in 1685.
• Wessex Ridgeway
Runs for 137 miles from Marlborough in Wiltshire to Lyme
Regis and forms part of the Great Ridgeway, an ancient highway
providing a long distance path through many of West Dorset’s
most beautiful landscapes.
• The South West Coastal Path
• Monarch’s Way
Cycling
West Dorset is almost entirely designated as an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty with a spectacular coastline, and is perfect for
exploring on two wheels. You’ll find sleepy villages, bustling
market towns, river valleys and gentle chalk downlands behind
the famous Chesil Beach.
The NCN (National Cycle Network) is for all cyclists whether
you’re a keen cyclist or just looking to have some fun, making
the most of cycling in west Dorset.
NCN Route 2 in West Dorset is between Dorchester and the
Devon border near Lyme Regis, approximately 30 miles. The entire
route is manageable in one day, but has been designed to take
in a number of West Dorset’s historic towns and picturesque villages.
The NCN Route 2 passes Champernhayes enabling you to divide
up the route and take detours, or plan your own trips off the
main rote, and take tome discovering the real west Dorset for
yourself.
World Heritage
Site
The Jurassic Coast – England’s first natural World Heritage
Site. This unique stretch of coastline has joined the ranks of
the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon as one of the wonders
of the Natural World. The Dorset and East Devon coast has become
a World Heritage Site due to its outstanding geology, which represents
186 million years of earth history in just 95 miles.
The best place to find fossils is in West Dorset – just remember
that it is safer to look on the beach, not on the cliffs. It
is also worth remembering that the ideal time to find fossils
is during the winter months when the rough seas have washed away
soft mud and clays, making the Jurassic Coast the perfect choice
for a Winter break.
The Jurassic Coast is stunningly beautiful, with unparalleled
range of natural features. The variety of beaches, bays and cliffs
result in a constantly changing landscape, with such spectacular
features as the Hooken Landslide, Chesil Beach and Durdle Door.
The coast is well served by the towns and villages, which
act as gateways to the Jurassic site, and you will notice the
changing character of the coast due to the use of local stone.
Such famous stones as Beer, Portland and Purbeck have shaped
the character of the towns and villages and have also been used
in the construction of the finest buildings, Cathedrals and churches
throughout the UK and the World.
The Eden Project
Less than 2 hours drive away, the Eden Project is a global
garden for the 21st Century. In the humid Tropics Biome you
can experience the sights, smells and sheer scale of the rain
forest in the world’s largest greenhouse. Discover the tropical
plants found in the products that you use every day and understand
the ways in which they are being managed for the future.www.edenproject.com
