Dorset (Slow Travel) : Local, characterful guides to Britain's Special Places

The thoroughly updated fourth edition of this popular Bradt guide to one of England's most beloved counties.

Written by a Dorset native, this distinctive guide offers far more than the usual tourist highlights. Author Alexandra Richards shares genuine local insights and insider knowledge, revealing the hidden treasures and lesser-known attractions that locals normally keep to themselves. The result is a guide that encourages you to slow down and discover why Dorset truly deserves repeat visits.

Dorset is quintessential rural England: rolling hills, thatched cottages, winding lanes, and stunning stately homes. The enchanting landscapes that inspired Thomas Hardy's 19th-century novels remain largely unchanged, protected by England's highest proportion of conservation areas. The spectacular Jurassic Coast—England's first natural World Heritage Site—features iconic locations like Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, where dramatic cliffs continuously reveal prehistoric fossils. History lovers will discover countless archaeological treasures, including Britain's largest Iron Age hillfort at Maiden Castle.

This fourth edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect recent changes across the county, with expanded coverage of north Dorset villages, new child-friendly activities, and fresh walks. It introduces you to local food and drink producers, artisans, and community projects—from award-winning vodka made from milk to the Great Dorset Chilli Festival. You'll learn about fossil hunting on beaches featured in the film Ammonite, the quirky Lyme Regis rubber duck race, the fascinating Dorset dialect, and much more. Whatever your interests—local food, award-winning wineries, horse riding, beautiful beaches, or coastal hikes—this essential companion guide helps you experience both the obvious highlights and the hidden gems that make Dorset truly special.