10. Bird Watching
Because Dorset is blessed with both countryside and coast, you will get the chance to see a huge variety of coastal and migratory species as well as specialties like Dartford Warblers. The cliffs behind the Downhouse Farm excellent landscape to see some of Britains favourite species. Some of our favourites are Peregin Falcons, Woodpeckers, Jays, Owls and if you are lucky even a Red Kite
9. Harry May Fishing Trips
Harry May hosts some fantastic fishing trips off Lyme Regis. He regularly sets off with up to ten passengers each in search of mackerel or more exotic fish. Harry promises a safe journey, hours of fun and the excitement of the catch.
He will even gut or fillet your fish for you so it’s ready to cook. All the equipment is provided plus tuition if needed.
Speak with our staff to book a trip or visit harrymay.com
8. The Orchid Spa
Orchid SPA is a delightful complementary therapies practice with Spa facilities situated in West Bay and Chideock, just 3 miles from the park. They offer Reflexology, Massage Therapies, Holistic Facials and more. If you wish once you have completed your treatment you have the opportunity to use the Spa facilities in full. The perfect way to relax whilst you stay with us. Treatment in the comfort of your holiday lodge may also be available, please contact orchid Spa directly to enquire.
Visit orchid-spa.co.uk/
7. The Bridport Hat Festival,
4th September 2021
Bridport Hat Festival is a celebration of hats, a fundraiser for head-related charities and a giant summer-ending party for the town and its visitors – all run by volunteers. The most creative, quirky, stylish and inventive headwear combines with live music, multiple competitions, demonstrations, talks, displays, shows, a hat auction, games, hatted dogs and much, much more, all ‘topped’ off by a HUGE mass hat-wearing photoshoot in Bucky Doo Square on ‘Haturday’. And all you need is a hat!
6. Star Gazing
A combination of clear night skies and low levels of light pollution make Dorset one of the best places in the country for stargazing. You can often see views of the Milky Way from the seclusion of your own garden at Golden Acre. If you have a camera that allows long exposure you can capture some amazing pictures to remember your trip by!
5. Food and Drink
Dorset is home to some of the best local produce the UK has to offer, with everything from seafood to dairy, to cakes to fruit and veg, you’ll find it all here.
You can visit local farms such as Washingpool Farm and Downhouse Farm
Take a short cookery course at Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage
Or simply enjoy good food at Mark Hix’s Fox Inn, Hungry Mule Catering, The George Inn, Chideock
4. Wine Making
With rolling hills and chalky soils, the English countryside is perfect for producing premium sparkling wine. Such wine is often compared to champagne. Many areas of Britain sharing a similar climate and geography to the Champagne region in France and milder summers are allowing the grapes to ripen more slowly and produce more elegant and complex flavours in the wine.
You can visit local wine producers and book a tour online to see how local English wine is being produced, at Furleigh Estate or Bride Valley Vineyard
3. Fossil Hunting
Dorset is home to one of the most remarkable stretches of coast England has to offer. Most of it is known as the Jurassic Coast; a World Heritage Site which stretches out from Orcombe Point to Studland Bay. This strip of coast is rich with fossils, making it a popular spot for fossil hunting with families and palaeontology enthusiasts alike.
2. The South West Coast Path
With 19th century origins as a coastguard patrol route to restrict smuggling, the modern-day South West Coast Path is England’s longest waymarked footpath. It runs for 630 miles, from Minehead on the edge of Exmoor to the shores of Poole Harbour and offers the ultimate challenge for any long-distance walker.
Not keen on the full 630 miles, many walkers divide the route into smaller stages. Our park provides perfect access to one of the toughest yet most scenic stretches of the walk.
Visit southwestcoastpath.org.uk for more information
1. Historial Sites
Dorset is a county steeped in history, from prehistoric to the modern-day. Maiden Castle is the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe and is situated just 2 miles from Dorchester. The Cerne Abbas Giant is an ancient chalk hill figure which is visible for miles around. No one is sure exactly when the figure was originally cut, but it remains one of Britain’s best-known chalk hill figures and is associated with fertility. There are plenty of other iron age hillforts to discover in the surrounding area and some unique Roman ruins in Dorchester.
