Dorset is an area of outstanding natural beauty, the coastline has been awarded World Heritage Status by UNESCO for its unique geological history and sites such as Portland, Lulworth Cove and Chesil Beach. The coast from Studland Bay to East Devon is often referred to as the Jurassic Coast due to the erosion which has exposed 185 million years of Earth’s history and uncovered countless fossils and dinosaur bones.

There are numerous quaint villages of thatched cottages, traditional pubs and tearooms which give the county it’s character, one of the most famous being Cerne Abbas with its 180 foot figure carved into the chalk hillside. Gold Hill in Shaftesbury is also well known as the location for the Hovis adverts in the 1980s and today is popular with historians and artists.

Dorchester is the county town packed with history, museums and places to visit but it is Weymouth and Bournemouth which are the most popular holiday resorts. Poole has become a cosmopolitan town with some of the most expensive properties in the country overlooking the stunning natural harbour. Swanage and Lyme Regis are both traditional seaside resorts with sandy beaches and good facilities for a family short break. The area is particularly popular for water sports and in 2012 Weymouth will host the sailing events for the London Olympics.