weymouth or Swanage ? Or anywhere else by sea in dorset for that matter...

[louise66]

We are hoping to visit Dorset at end Aug/ 1st wk sept. I felt weymouth to be best family option with so much to do but am finding it very hard to locate any reasonably priced accommodation there that's not already booked up. Just wondered what Swanage was like or any other similar places. Thanks in desperation, louise

[cupcakesinthesnow]

Sorry, just saw you booked cottage in West Lulworth so near Lulwrth castle as well. Lulworth is beautiful and a place on my shortlist of places to move to

[cupcakesinthesnow]

Swanage. I grew up in Dorchester and Weyouth has a bit of a reputation for being rough which has become worse over the years. Swanage is nearer to so many more beaches like Durdle Door, Man O War Bay, Lulworth or go to the Poole beaches (where I live at moment) like Sandbanks, Branksome,ALum Chine. Swanage also near to Corfe Castle, Blue Poole, Kimmeridge Bay(great for fossil hunting).

[OrmIrian]

Love both. Beach at Studland is nicest though. Useless for surfing though. Lovely part of the world.

[Notquitegrownup]

Lulworth is definitely one of our favourite spots. Beware of sunburn on the beach as it is so sheltered, you can catch the rays even when it is quite cool.

Don't forget to go to Farmer Palmers just outside Poole as part of your holiday. Definitely a must. (We love Abbotsbury Swannery as well)

Enjoy!

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Ooohh which one? Any tips that you want about the place let me know.

[louise66]

Thanks everyone for suggestions..we've actually just booked a cottage in west lulworth so we're near enough bang in the middle between weymouth and swanage, Louise

[lottysmum]

I love them both...very different Weymouth is your typical Seaside resort...you can stay there and not use a car.....Swanage is more quaint...you may need a car more...both great for kids.

Dreamcottages are the biggest agency in the area and very good we have rented from them several times...also stayed on the Waterside Estate ...which we loved too...great for kids.

[jaz2]

We spent a lovely week in Weymouth last year, and chose the self-catering accomodation from Dream Cottages - the house was superb, and not that expensive: there are lots of nice smallish houses on their books for round the old brewery area: very central. We were lucky with the weather, but I guess anywhere is a bit depressing if it rains.

[slayerette]

Lovely chocolate shop in Swanage...

[Notquitegrownup]

Another vote for Swanage here too - it has everything Weymouth has (except for the aquarium) but is smaller. Lots of places around to visit, especially if the weather is good.

[slayerette]

Good to know it's a great site. Bit of a shame about the noise potential but hey! - I have earplugs and I intend to use them!

[duckyfuzz]

slayerette it is a fab site, great showers etc well stocked shop and on site pub doing reasonable typical pub grub, because of this its v popular, therefore not the quietest site I've been to!

[twinsetandpearls]

The bathrooms are the best we have ever seen on a campsite and the walking was fantastic. I thought you meant you owned a campsite at fleet.

[slayerette]

That's where we've booked! It looks gorgeous on the website - nice to know you enjoyed it.

[duckyfuzz]

yes east fleet farm, lovely site but a bit too noisy for my liking, we got the bus from there to the beach most days, simple pleasures, great fun

[twinsetandpearls]

sea barn farm

[slayerette]

Twinset, our campsite is at Fleet. Glad you can recommend the area. What was the name of your site?

[twinsetandpearls]

Was it at Fleet ducky? We camped there last year quite late on - October I think and it was lovely.

[BexieID]

We spent a few wet and windy hours in Swansea last August. We had come off the train and had a wee walk along the coast. I'm pretty sure we spent the day there as a child. I plan to spend a day in Weymouth this year, as it has a sea life centre there. Portland is nice, spent the day there summer 07.

[IlanaK]

We went to Weymouth last year and loved it. There was so much to do and we had no car (took the train from London) and could walk everywhere. We stayed in a nice place: www.baylodge.co.uk/ It was a bit out of date (the decor)in that flowery sort of way but a nice standard and very clean. Good location too.

[duckyfuzz]

we camped near weymouth a couple of years ago and DTs still talk about the holiday - it was v simple, beach fun, day trips, ice creams etc, lovely (weymouth is not my cup of tea tbh, but the beach is v child friendly, if a little scary!)

[ChippyMinton]

But Swanage has a fabulous chippy

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

Weymouth smells of chips.

(Sorry, it had to be said...)

[ChippyMinton]

Lyme Regis?

[slayerette]

We camped near Swanage last year - it was lovely.