Best road trip around Dorset

Head to the South West for a Dorset road trip. You’ll find Blue Flag beaches, beautiful coves, famous landmarks, access to the stunning Jurassic Coast and much more!

A road trip around Dorset will suit all types of holiday maker – there’s loads to keep families entertained and groups of friends busy, while couples can find lots of hidden spots and plenty of acclaimed restaurants for romantic evenings… and all surrounded by spectacular scenery. Check out the best places along the way with our ultimate road trip itinerary below.

Dorset road trip itinerary overview

A road trip through Dorset could be done in a couple of days, but would miss out on so many highlights of this breathtaking county. We recommend eight days for our Dorset road trip, but we’ve added nearby attractions for all our must-sees if you want to take longer.

Total distance : about 135 miles | Recommended days : 8 | Best time to do the route : March – June; September – October | See route on Google Maps

8 places you can’t miss on a Dorset road trip

1. Poole

Set off for your Dorset road trip from Poole, Dorset’s county town. Home to the largest natural harbour in the world after Port Jackson in Sydney, this pretty port town has gorgeous sandy beaches extending three miles along Poole Bay.

Active options include watersports, walking the Poole Harbour Trails and cycling the 50+ miles of local trails including the Castleman Trailway and the Poole Heritage Cycle Route. The cafés, bars and restaurants around town and in Poole Quay give a wide choice of options for something more relaxed.

2. Corfe Castle

14th-century Corfe Castle is one of the most iconic sights of Dorset. Standing high on the Purbeck Hills between Wareham and Swanage, and surrounded by a village of the same name, the castle is now managed by the National Trust. Walk from the car park and visitor centre (about 10 minutes) to the village square and to the castle entrance.

The 14-mile drive from Poole to Corfe Castle passes the riverside market town of Wareham, well worth a stop. If you have time after Corfe Castle, then the seaside villages of Swanage and Studland, as well as the Isle of Purbeck, are all well worth a visit.

3. Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door

Possibly the most famous sight in all of Dorset as well as one of the best known on any UK road trip, spectacular Durdle Door is a huge stone arch jutting into the sea just outside Lulworth. Lulworth Cove is also spectacular – plan for a long day to fully soak up both.

The 12-mile journey from Corfe Castle to Lulworth Cove will take you past the Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve, Lulworth Castle and the stunning Blue Pool lake with a hiking trail. If you can add an extra day onto your trip, this is the time to do it!

4. Dorchester

Any Dorset road trip should include at least a few hours in Dorchester, Dorset’s county town since the early 14th century. It’s known for its association with Thomas Hardy – his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge is based on the town – but there’s plenty to see and do for everyone.

Just as a start, Dorchester has several museums: the Dorset County Museum, The Keep Military Museum, the Tutankhamun Exhibition, the Terracotta Warriors Exhibition, the Dinosaur Museum and the Teddy Bear Museum.

Dorchester is on the banks of the River Frome to the south of the Dorset Downs, both lovely spots to while away a peaceful late afternoon after some hours’ sightseeing in town.

5. Weymouth

Back to the coast for another top highlight of any Dorset road trip: charming Weymouth. It’s one of Dorset’s biggest seaside towns, with a beautiful harbour, an acclaimed beach and an excellent setting right in the middle of the world-famous Jurassic Coast. Just south of Weymouth is Portland Harbour, one of the biggest man-made harbours in the world; south of there is the little Isle of Portland, Dorset’s most southerly point.

Driving from Dorchester to Weymouth passes the ancient Iron Age hillfort of Maiden Castle: climb up here to take in the gorgeous views.

Check our the best Weymouth campsites!

6. West Bay and Bridport

It’s a 22-mile drive from Weymouth to our sixth Dorset road trip stop, West Bay, but allow at least a couple of hours for the journey for a detour to Chesil Beach on the West Dorset Heritage Coast.

Then arrive at West Bay (formerly Bridport Harbour), a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast. There are two beaches here, and the harbourside, piers and promenade of West Bay are perfect for walks and ice cream. The award-winning West Bay Discovery Centre tells the story of the bay and the Jurassic Coast.

As well as Chesil Beach, a recommended stopover on the way to West Bay is Burton Bradstock, a village with a sandy beach and scenic sandstone cliffs. The market town of Bridport, known for its art scene and festivals, is a mile and a half from West Bay.

Bridport is a mile and a half away.

7. Lyme Regis and Charmouth

Dorset has many famous highlights, but Charmouth and Lyme Regis are among its best known around the world. This is the top Jurassic Coast spot for fossil hunting: the beaches and cliffs of Lyme Regis are noted for their fossils, discovered by Mary Anning and others.

Two miles from Lyme Regis is Charmouth, a coastal village overlooking Lyme Bay. Spend a few hours here to go fossil hunting on the cliffs or to visit the fossil ship and the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.

8. Brownsea Island

Although you reach it from Poole and could visit it on Day 1, we’ve saved magical Brownsea Island until last – for a lovely lazy way to round off your road trip. Jointly owned by the National Trust and the Dorset Wildlife Trust, this Poole Harbour nature haven is home to red squirrels, sika deer and many other species among its woodland and heath. Its lagoon waters are an important habitat for birds such as avocets, wildfowl and terns.

The National Trust runs regular events on Brownsea, including Shakespeare performances and red squirrel walks.

Take the scenic route from Charmouth through the central Dorset countryside via Cerne Abbas village, to see the giant chalk figure etched into the hillside nearby. You could also stop off at the market town of Wimborne Minster for a look at its ancient minster with chained library and the 14th-century Wimborne Minster Astronomical Clock.

Hire a van for your Dorset road trip with Camplify

As a popular destination, accommodation is plentiful all over Dorset. Use ourcampervan sites in Dorset guide to get started: we’ve included campsites at all the main highlights! Hire a campervan in Dorset and set off on the ultimate coastal adventure.

Want to extend your Dorset trip? OurEngland road trips guide has full details of a South West England adventure, as well as lots more around the country.

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