Dorset is a perfect place to go for a long weekend. The turquoise blue waters, the rolling green hills and some of the best beaches in the UK make for an incredible destination. With Bank Holidays coming up, I wanted to come up with a short itinerary for you guys. We often spend 3 days in Dorset as my in-laws live in the area, so we know how to make the most of it.
For this, I’m basing you in the Dorchester area. I think that this gives you a good vantage point and is nice and central. It is not by the sea, but you get to enjoy the gorgeous Dorset countryside. Plus, you’ll be making plenty of trips there anyway! I am also going to assume that you have a car to make this work!
3 Days in Dorset | A Short Itinerary
Day 1 – Morning
Arrive in Dorset early in the morning and drop your bags at the hotel. As we have family in the area, we rarely stay at hotels here. However, there are plenty of excellent places to choose from, including The King’s Arms (home to an incredible afternoon tea) and The Casterbridge.
To begin your 3 days in Dorset, explore the charming town of Dorchester. Walk through this charming historic town and explore the local shops. There are a few shops to look around, including independent and chains, but the main sights are the buildings and museums. The Dorset Museum & Art Gallery is definitely worth a visit, as are the Borough Gardens on a sunny day. Just outside of the town is the iron-age fort Maiden Castle. This is one of the biggest iron age forts in Europe and is great for a short day trip.
Day 1 – Afternoon
After some lunch in Dorchester, get into the car and drive to Weymouth. This bustling seaside town is a must-see when you are in Dorset. If you haven’t had lunch already, grab some fish and chips and enjoy them looking out over the English Channel.
Aside from the front and the beach, you could also go to the Weymouth SeaLife Adventure Park or the RSPB Weymouth Wetlands. If you are feeling adventurous, you could also take a boat out to see and experience a thrilling sea safari, or even do a spot of fishing. If you are in Weymouth from March through to November, you can also see the Sandworld Sculpture Festival. It is quite niche, but I’ve never seen anything like it before. You could also head over to the Isle of Portland to climb up Portland Tower.
In the evening, head back to Dorchester and grab some dinner. There are plenty of options here, including some chains (Zizzis, Wagamamas and Côte to name a few), along with some independents.
Day 2 – Morning
Wake up early and get ready for a day of exploring the famous Jurassic Coast. Your first stop is arguably the most famous of all the towns here; Lyme Regis. This place gets very busy during the summer months and I’d advise getting here as early as possible. There is a decent amount of parking in the town, but again, the sooner you arrive, the better!
Walk on into the town centre and explore the shops. One of the most unique places is the famous fossil shop, featuring fossils found along the coast. There are also small boutiques here, selling everything from clothes, jewellery and seaside memorabilia. A morning coffee by the sea is a must. We like going to the Whole Hog. It is in a great location and does some excellent coffee.
Whilst you are in Lyme Regis, make sure that you walk along the Marine Parade. You get some gorgeous views of the coastline and can even try your hand at fossil hunting. For lunch, head back into town and grab a pasty to enjoy by the sea. Just watch out for the gulls!
Day 2 – Afternoon
Now halfway through your 3 days in Dorset, leave Lyme Regis (unless you want to stay at the beach!) and head over to the town of Sherborne. Before you go though, another option beforehand is the town of Bridport. It is a cute little market town, with a brass band that plays every weekend. Definitely worth seeing if you want to.
Sherborne is about 45 minutes away from Lyme Regis, where you will get to experience the natural landscape of Dorset. There are also some cute villages and towns that you could stop off along the way if you want to.
I recently wrote a guide to Sherborne as there is plenty to see here. The boutiques in particular are nice to look around, plus there are some fantastic restaurants and cafes (you could have dinner here!). You must go to Sherborne Castle though. The gardens in particular are incredible and you get breathtaking views of the old castle nearby.
After you have seen everything, head back to Dorchester and enjoy a drink at one of the pubs or the hotel.
Day 3 – Morning
On the final day in Dorset, you’ll be seeing some of the most iconic views in this area. The first stop is the famous Durdle Door. This is easily one of the most picturesque places in the UK and, to be honest, one of the best beaches. Enjoy a walk down the path to the beach and take in the view. I think this is a perfect location for a morning walk, especially on a sunny day in the summer.
Once you have taken in the views of Durdle Door, it is just a short journey to Lulworth. Head down to the famous Lulworth Cove to take in yet more of the stunning views of the sea. If you haven’t already, enjoy some breakfast and a coffee whilst taking in the seaside. I would stay here for as long as you like; it really is one of the best beaches in the UK.
Nearby the cove is Lulworth Castle. It is a great tourist attraction and the surrounding estates are good for exploring. The rose garden is a particular highlight and the castle is certainly worth going into. Once you have explored the grounds and had a spot of lunch, head back into the car for the final destination.
Day 3 – Afternoon
Your last stop on your 3 days in Dorset itinerary is the famous Corfe Castle. The now-ruin has an incredibly vast history, going back 1,000 years. Since then, Kings and Queens have visited the castle, some of which never made it out alive. Nowadays though there is little left following the destruction in the Civil War. The old foundations still remain, including most of the gate.
Walk around the impressive grounds and learn more about the rich history here. Once you have seen enough, explore the nearby village with the same name. There are some cute shops and cafes here to see. All of the buildings are constructed from the local purbeck limestone, so you get a really unique colour palette that comes through here. You also can see their impressive model village!
3 Days in Dorset – Final Thoughts
There is just so much to see in Dorset and I’ve tried to include as much as I can. Whilst I’ve based you in Dorchester, you could definitely stay by the coast (either Lyme Regis or Lulworth) and just go up to Dorchester and Sherborne for a day. Whichever way you do it, I hope that you found this useful and do get in touch if you have any questions!
Other posts that may help you:
- Cornwall Road Trip | Staycation Series
- Days Out in Southern England
- The Prettiest Villages in the Cotswolds
- 3 days in Devon | A Short Itinerary
Thank you for reading and I hope that my post has been useful and have helped to inspire an adventure to Dorset!
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
