Dorset - recommendations

[furrycat]

We're thinking of going to Dorset this year - we're looking for somewhere in a town/ village, ideally within walking distance of a nice beach. Anyone any suggetions for areas/ specific cottages?

Ta muchly

We love swanage really lovely. Quite a busy seaside resort but nice, not tacky. Quite pricey to say there though so we stay in a nice little carvan park called lookout park in Wareham, and drive or get the steam train to the beach.

i live near bournemouth. i especially love the area around swanage/wareham/weymouth. we've even been there for our little holidays. ulwell sounds ok, though i've never been there. durdle door is near the beach - but can get very windy and don't camp near the rooks or crows. ukcampsites has reviews for this area. sea view and osmington are ok. to be honest, i've never found a really wow campsite in that area. but its a fab place

sorry furrycat i got confused and thought i was on camping thread! agree swanage good bet. weymouth is quite large - good to visit and has nice sandy beach. or you could try somewhere inland like dorchester thats on a main road. or bridport

go somewhere near but not in lyme...charmouth for eg. can go fossiling, the pork roast sandwich shop is amazing, lots to see and do.

dorset coastal cottages are very good.

isle of purbeck/swanage/studland bay - gorgeous.

agree that studland is fab.

if you want dingley dell magic then a little inland of bridport is fabulous...netherbury for example.

unless you like very remote/country places you could consider poole/bournemouth/christchurch. there are loads of good beaches, shoppings good, cinema/leisure centres for rainy days, plus new forest and moors valley country park if you get bored of beach. plus you can get the car ferry across pool harbour to studland. air show is very good in august. alice in wonderland near bournmeouth airport if your children are youngish. lots of quays - muddeford, poole, christchurch - ie lots of places to visit as well as good beaches. zoo and funfair place near southampton

Thanks v much for your comments everyone! Think maybe Swanage or Poole...

Swanage, Swanage, Swanage, Swanage. Fantastic unspoilt traditional resort, lovely beach, safe bathing, Fortes ice-cream. A steam railway to Corfe Castle and its... ...umm... castle. Cliff top walks. Walks round the headland past Old Harry's Rocks to Studland. Recreate your favourite scenes from "Nuts in May". The sea is warm, the weather always sunny.

When you get bored take a boat trip / open-top bus to Bournemouth.

There is a static caravan park on the road in from Studland, and another one near Herston Halt station on the steam railway, if a cottage comes in too dear. Also the YHA is very family orientated in the school holidays (it is generally used for school trips in term time).

Definitely Swanage.

Thanks Grumpy... have booked Swanage! (Not all of it, clearly)