The "South Wessex" of Thomas Hardy's novels, the county of Dorset remains one of Southern England's most attractive. It has delightful coastal and inland scenery and many of its quiet lanes and stone-built villages seem almost untouched by time.

West Dorset's towns provide a contrast in experiences...from bustling shopping precincts in Dorchester, to mellow-stoned buildings housing handcrafted goods in Sherborne - there is truly something for everyone.

There are also over 150 villages in West Dorset, each with its own history, mystery, character and charm. Villages like Abbotsbury, with its Swannery and bracing views across Chesil Beach, plus Evershot, Nettlecombe and Cerne Abbas, famed for its ruined Abbey and chalk giant. At the heart of villages like these you’ll find Norman churches, sandstone cottages, tempting tea rooms, good pub food, small stores selling local produce, and a warm welcome everywhere.