Kimmeridge
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5PE
Kimmeridge is about 40 minutes/21 miles drive from the holiday cottage and a fun place for rock pooling in the summer.
Durdle Door is one of the most photographed landmarks along the Jurassic Coast. This rock arch in the sea was formed as a result of the softer rocks being eroded away behind the hard limestones, allowing the sea to punch through them. The name Durdle is derived from an Old English word ‘thirl’ meaning bore or drill. Eventually the arch will collapse to leave a sea stack such as those that can be seen at Ladram Bay in East Devon.
Distance from holiday cottage – 13 miles.
For a wonderful brunch we highly recommend The Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock. The food is delicious and reasonably priced, but tables are on a first come first served basis so arrive early to avoid disappointment and check on opening hours as these vary according to the time of year. We combine a yummy lunch with coastal walk along one of the many nearby footpaths or stroll on the beach.
Hive Beach Cafe
Beach Road
Burton Bradstock
Dorset
DT6 4RF
Distance from holiday cottage – 14 miles
The Nothe Forte and gardens are an excellent family outing, situated just above Weymouth harbour.
Nothe Fort
Barrack Road
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 8UF
01305 766626
Distance from holiday cottage – 4 miles
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is a free Centre with lots of information and advice on fossil hunting along the Jurassic coast.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre,
Lower Sea Lane,
Charmouth,
Dorset. DT6 6LL
Phone: 01297 560772
Distance from holiday cottage – 25 miles
Weymouth has excellent bird watching in many locations see here – Bird Watching in Weymouth, Dorset.
Visit Radipole Lake RSPB Nature Reserve –
Radipole Lake (RSPB) is in the centre of Weymouth and has plenty to offer birdwatchers. There are panoramic views of the reserve from the visitor centre and easy access to the rest of the reserve along firm paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The large reedbed, open water, flood meadow and native shrubs attract a good range of birds all year. Bearded Tits and Cetti’s Warbles can be seen and they are joined, in the summer months, by Reed and Sedge Warblers, in autumn by a variety of migrating birds and, in winter, Bitterns, Pochard, Tufted Ducks and little Egret roosts can be observed.
The RSPB Visitor Centre offers guided walks, special events, advice on bird identification, choosing and using binoculars, field guides and much more.
Radipole Lake Swannery
143 Radipole Lane
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 0TF
01305 781146
Distance from holiday cottage – 3.5 miles
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens – The Garden is a mixture of formal and informal flowers, world famous for it’s Camellia groves and magnolias. Noted in Dorset for its Rhododendron and Hydrangea collections and the charming Victorian Garden.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Bullers Way
Abbotsbury
Nr Weymouth
Dorset
DT3 4LA
Tel – 01305 871387
Distance from holiday cottage – 9 miles
Around 700 yards of shingle beach with uncovered sand once the tide goes out. There are also rock pools at the western end and an offshore reef that is uncovered by the tide. The beach is overlooked by unspoilt farmland and cliffs.
Distance from cottage – 6.5 miles