Where would you recommend to stay in Dorset?

[Ali5]

Thinking of doing a self catering short break (if there is such a thing in the school holidays) in Dorset. Never been before but heard it's lovely.
Any recommends for nice locations or even specific places to stay?
Oh, and I can't do camping! Hit my 30s and swore I'd never do it again.

I think where we live (close to Wimborne) is great. You're close to the beach & the New Forest and there is so much to do.

Swanage, Lyme Regis, Weymouth area. I don't much like Weymouth itself but the surrounding region is gorgeous. Although having said that, Weymouth has lovely beach and sea is safe for young ones.

Dorset is my absolute favourite place ever ! Agree with portonovo - we stayed at fab place nr Bridport called Rudge Farm - lovely self catering cottages in truly idyllic surroundings...
Weymouth itself not my cup of tea but harbour and beach are nice

agree with portonovo. Swanage if you want small but perfectly formed - weymouth is bigger, more going on.

It has got to be Lyme Regis! We had a fab holiday there last year. The beach is lovely and so are all the little shops and cafes. There is even a small dinosaur museum. We loved it! Try www.lymebayholidays.co.uk They seem to have most of the self catering accomodation in Lyme Regis.

Thank you! Really appreciate the info. Hoping for a nice quiet day at work tomorrow so I can find out more about all these places!

I love Lulworth area and think it is brill location as not too far to go to East or West Dorset and loads of nice places and things to do fairly near by.

We rented this apartment in West Bay for a week last month and would definitely recommend it.

ooooh, all those dubious new buildings going up in my Mums home town!!! West Bay is fab, will be stying there with cousins in Aug. There's a torchlight procession, carnival, funfair and the famous Melplash Show all in the last week or so of August. I LOVE it there.
www.westbay.co.uk
See you there!

Burton Bradstock. My aunt lives there. It's so nice.

Weymouth is dubious in places but you can't beat fish and chips on the beach on a summer evening.
I was going to say the same as hickory.

Sandbanks or Studland

Studland, kimmeridge, durdel door (sp?) corfe castle and surrounds.

I lived in Wimborne for a number of years, it's great but away from beaches and queues are awful on roads to beaches.

Swanage is quite grockley iirc.