From West Bay there are many delightful walks, over the East cliff, along the famous Chesil beach, where there are breathtaking views towards Abbotsbury, (famous for the Swannery and gardens), or to the west towards Lyme Regis where you will find the Golden Cap (goal of many walkers), the highest point on the south coast. In 2001 Dorset and East Devon was chartered as the Jurassic Coast, England’s first World Heritage site. This status was achieved due to the area’s geological history. The abundance of fossils from the Jurassic and Triassic periods which can be found on the beaches shows this. Covering 95 miles of coastline, West Bay gives a great base to tour the various sites which are part of Dorset’s famous World Heritage status.
West Bay – The Home of Broadchurch
The award winning ITV crime thriller that everyone’s talking about. Broadchurch was filmed in West Bay where the hotel is located. A less than two minute walk and you’ll be on the very beach the programme was filmed on. Come and visit the picturesque setting for this gripping thriller.
Click for a map of Broadchurch filming locations around West Bay.
Bridport
The market town of Bridport is only a mile away, with the Electric Palace Cinema and Arts Centre among some of the venues for quality entertainment there’s always plenty to see and do. See www.bridportradio.co.uk for what’s on and where to go.
Far From the Madding Crowd – A Great Literary Classic
With the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’, based on Thomas Hardy’s classic novel, Dorset County Museum in Dorchester is combining its unique collection of original Thomas Hardy artefacts alongside costumes from this eagerly awaited movie.
A short drive away you will find unspoilt villages like Evershot, Nettlecombe, Cerne Abbas with their thatched cottages and ancient churches, explore stately homes, magnificent gardens, castles, ancient monuments and museums. This is Thomas Hardy Country. With great country pubs and wonderful scenery it’s great rambling country.
What’s on and where to go
To find out the latest & upcoming events in Dorset along with a long list of local attractions & activities please visit Dorset’s tourist information guide, or Bridport and West Bay (official local website), or Bridport Radio.
Golf Courses
- Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club
- Lyme Regis Golf Club
- Wolfedale Golf Course
- Came Down Golf Club
- Weymouth Golf Club
- The Dorset Golf & Country Club
- Wareham Golf Club
- Chedington Court Golf Club
- Lyons Gate Golf Club
- Sherborne Golf Club
- Sturminster Marshall Golf Club
- The Ashley Wood Golf Club
Other Local Attractions Include:
| Fleet Air Arm museum - Royal Navy Air Station, historic aircraft including Concorde 002. | Click here |
| Sherborne Castle - built by Sir Walter Raleigh 1594. | Click here |
| Forde Abbey - founded by Cistercian Monks 900 years ago. | Click here |
| Compton Acres - probably the finest gardens in Europe. | Click here |
| Corfe Castle - one of the most impressive ruins in England. | Click here |
| Bovington Tank museum - showing the whole history of tank warfare | Click here |
| Monkey World - Ape rescue Centre | Click here |
| Kingston Lacey - Country house and estate near Wimborne Minster | Click here |
| Hardy's cottage & monument | Click here |
| Abbotsbury Swannery & Subtropical gardens | Click here |
| Athelhampton house - 15th Century House | Click here |
| Kingston Maurwood - Gardens & Animal Park | Click here |
| Portland castle | Click here |
West Dorset Gallery
