‘You’re going to Devon? No Dorchester!? Where is it you’re going again?’

Dorset—a county in the southeast of England—had been sitting pretty on my bucket list for ages. I genuinely thought it was one of those places everyone had heard of. I mean, come on, Durdle Door? That epic natural arch that’s starred in both Bollywood and Hollywood films? Or the fact that this whole stretch is called the Jurassic Coast? Surely that rings a bell?

No? Well, allow me to introduce you to one of England’s most stunning coastal regions. And if you are already in the know—consider this your go-to 3-day itinerary to make the most of it. Spoiler: there’s a lot more to Dorset than just Durdle Door (but yes, we’re going there too).

Day 1

So, you’ve made it to Dorset—first things first: where are you staying?

The choice is totally yours. Dorset has some charming towns and cities, each with its own vibe. And if you’re more of a nature lover, the countryside has plenty of glamping pods, campsites, and cosy rural stays to choose from.

As for me? I need an actual bed on my days off—so I picked Weymouth.

At first, you might wonder what you’ve stepped into. But then you’re greeted by a sweeping sandy beach, dotted with classic seaside rides and more restaurants than you can count. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, you reach the harbour—that’s when Weymouth truly shines.

Boats and yachts bob in the water, people fish off the sides, and pubs line the waterfront, each one adding to the soundtrack of the town’s pubs (one playing Adele at full volume, another blasting Grease Lightning across the water). It’s chaotic, in the best possible way.

Weymouth also makes a brilliant base—especially if you’re using public transport. There’s a direct train from London and great links to the surrounding areas, perfect for day hikes or coastal exploring.

This was my arrival day, so I had to keep travel time in mind. Since I drove, I was able to squeeze this stop in on the way to the hotel. But don’t worry—I’ll share an alternative route for those coming in by train or wanting to save this experience for another day.

1. Abbotsbury subtropical gardens

This garden offers a truly unique experience, transporting you to a whole different world. As you wander through, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into places like China, Japan, Peru, and countless other corners of the globe, all thanks to the rare plants that have been carefully brought here. Whether you’re a plant enthusiast or not, it’s impossible not to be amazed by the fact that these trees and flowers thrive without the need for a greenhouse. It’s simply stunning.

Rough distances:

By car- about 20 minutes from Weymouth city centre to the door of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

By public transport-

The X53 Jurassic coaster – is a bus which takes roughly 45 minutes from Weymouth city centre to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

2. Nothe Forte

Okay, this is seriously cool (sorry, my millennial side is showing!). But honestly, it’s such a unique piece of history that it almost catches you off guard in a seaside town like this. The best part? It’s just a 15-minute walk from Weymouth’s city centre (though be prepared for a bit of a steep climb).

Let me introduce you to Nothe Fort. Built between 1860 and 1872, it was originally designed to protect Portland and Weymouth Harbour. But what’s really fascinating is its role during WWII and the Cold War.

These are the real cannons that were once used in World War II.

In World War II, it was used as the anti aircraft ammunition depot for the south west. The location of the fort made it a critical component of the WWII costal defence.

The path starts from Lulworth cove..

But my favourite part—one that almost transports you from today’s reality to a bygone era of war—was this section of the museum: the former Nuclear Bunker.

This was a bunker made in secret. Yeppp! A super secret bunker under the fort as a communications and command centre. It had blast proof doors and could be used Incase of a nuclear attack.

This place is super interesting, if for nothing else…the view from the top

To be honest this was a full day for me! and at this point I would suggest grabbing some crab (the local speciality) or some seafood in the area, and resting up for the day! Especially if you’ve had a long trip here!

Day 2

Okay I’m not gonna lie, waking up by the beach is a beautiful experience.

I genuinely found myself wondering if half of life’s problems just melt away if you live by the beach? I suspect this is very true.

So my day genuinely started off with a stroll on the beach. I could not wake myself up in time, but I suspect this would have been a beautiful place for a sunrise, if this is something you would like to do!

1. Durdle door and Lulworth cove

There are two main ways of doing this. And I will show you my original plan and then what my plan ended up being.

(Here is the link for all trails for those of you that have the app Trail to Durdle door )

Hike it! This is the trail on all trails, which I had downloaded, my Apple Watch on the ready. As you can see the hike is pretty steep in places, and a difficult hike, however, the reviews have all said this hike is genuinely beautiful.

Even if you are not planning to hike it, it’s worth a visit, as it is genuinely beautiful.

There’s lots of water sports here, including kayaking, snorkelling and generally a few water sports. Sadly no food or picnic food is allowed on this beach. But there are lots of restaurants here to choose from, and again worth trying some of the crab sandwiches!

This is actually a UNESCO site, and part of the Jurassic coast shoreline. The geology of this area is especially interesting, and one of the things that attracts people to this region (after the stunning views and water sports of course!). It’s also one of the richest places to find fossils! However, it’s best to look and not take if you do find small ones here, as this site has been protected with conservation laws and we don’t want your holiday turning into a nightmare!

Some amazing discoveries have happened in this area including finding some dinosaur fossils in this region, old tree roots (dating back to 145 million years) and even some of the earliest mammals.

But for those of you who want to hunt for a few fossils, here are a few places you can check out on the Jurassic coast to do this.

2. Durdle door

The famous Durdle door, which in itself is not a door but a hole (Durdle translates to hole…so hole door, which can be confusing to anyone around).

Durdle door is the amazing site, also part of the Jurassic coast UNESCO world heritage sites. Once upon a time, this used to a cave, and was eroded into a tunnel until it became what it js now- a limestone archway. It is genuinely beautiful no matter what time of year go in, and definitely one to see. The fact that these rocks are more than 140 million years old is crazy!

Option 2

As amazing as the hike is from Lulworth cove( having done it myself in the past), there is an alternative, especially for those thrill seekers and people who have 0 interest in hiking.

I cannot recommend this enough.

There are a multitude of ways to get to see Durdle door and Lulworth cove by sea, including mini cruises (which are a bit more gentler), self guided boat trips or the one I took which was the Bay Blast trip to Durdle door.

This was a total of 1.5 hours round trip and was genuinely so fun! Just imagine the sun shining, the waters a little choppy but only enough to give you that ‘I’m in a theme park’ experience, the water spraying on your face on a hot day. Honestly it was amazing! Then, not only do you get to see Durdle door, but you get to drive through it. Yes! You go through the archway.

The views were insane, but the experience won’t be forgotten in a hurry!

Here is the website to the place I used.

It was £35 per person for the tour to Durdle door and back- very reasonable in my opinion.

Durdle door tours from weymouth

(I am not sponsored or paid for this!)

3. Corfe Castle

after all of this if you aren’t exhausted there is just one more thing you can do today.

It’s about 20 minutes from Lulworth Cove, so if you have parked here, it’s very close by!

The broken remains of this castle tell such an interesting story, and are beautifully derelict to look at.

The castle was built in the 11th century by none other than William the Conqueror—ring any bells? I always get Horrible Histories flashbacks whenever his name comes up! But Corfe Castle isn’t just old—it’s dramatic. It was deliberately destroyed… and it might’ve survived if it weren’t for one brutal act of betrayal

Myths and Legends of Corfe castle

William the conqueror (the first man in the image above). This was the first castle he built after his triumph in Hastings in 1066. He began changing the architecture – previously castles that had been the motte-and-bailey castles to this huge stone masterpiece. The intent were clear- the Normans were here to stay.

2. King John- remember him? The one from the tales of Robin Hood? The mad king, who kept charging everyone taxes and making the lives of the poor miserable (at least that’s how I remember it from the Disney movies). So he was not only known for his crimes against the poor, but actually anyone that opposed him. In the 1200s, he was known to notoriously lock up 22 French knights who rebelled against him, and locked them up here- and starved to death. Eerie. The point was to send a message – Corfe Castle was to be used as a symbol of fear of the royal authority.

So we have a king who built the castle to dominate the land, John used it to dominate the people.

3.

Now let’s talk about the real heroine of Corfe Castle: Lady Mary Bankes. While her husband was off supporting the king during the English Civil War, Mary was left to hold the fort—literally. And when Parliamentarian troops came knocking (more like battering down the gates), she didn’t flinch. With just a handful of soldiers, servants, and her own kids by her side, she defended Corfe Castle not once, but twice.

We’re talking boiling water poured from the battlements, muskets fired from windows, and sheer willpower holding it all together. For two whole years, she stood her ground—outsmarting, outlasting, and out-braving the enemy. She became known as the “Brave Dame Mary,” and honestly, it’s the kind of feminist energy we love to see in history.

In the end, the castle didn’t fall to cannons—it fell to betrayal. A supposed ally turned on her and let Cromwell’s troops in. The castle was blown up, but Mary’s legacy? Still standing tall. A true feminine hero, even back then!

Park up and have a wander. The town around here is genuinely so cute! The tea and coffee shops, the sweet shops, they even have a little model town to have a look at it. It is genuinely so charming, and worth a wander.

day 3

Now this one is completely optional.

You can either spend your day relaxing by the harbour, and checking out the swannery.

There are also lots of activities:

• Fishing
• They do taster sessions for learning to drive a boat
• Jet skiing
• Kayaking

There isn’t a lack of activities to do.

However, if your sense of adventure hasn’t been fulfilled, and you’re driving on your way home…

Although not technically in Dorset, there is a stop off that you can make.

STONEHENGE

I’ll admit, this visit was more expensive than I anticipated—entry is £35—but seeing Stonehenge in person was genuinely worth it.

There’s something awe-inspiring about standing before a monument that’s over 4,500 years old. The scale, the mystery, the sheer endurance of it—it’s hard not to be impressed.

There’s so much more to say about this place than I can fit into a single post, but it’s truly one of those experiences that stays with you.

In the end…

Three days in Dorset honestly flew by, but they were packed with stories, sea air, and scenery that completely stole my heart. From wandering through ancient ruins to soaking in those dramatic coastal views, this trip was the perfect blend of adventure and reflection. Dorset surprised me—not just with its beauty, but with the sense of calm it gave me. If you’re after a getaway that feeds your curiosity and your soul, this corner of England is well worth the journey