West Dorset - Bridport Area
Bridport is an attractive Georgian town famous for ropemaking, near the mouth of the River Brit. Though small it has all facilities including supermarkets and abundant pubs (Palmers Brewery run tours). There is a museum, restored art deco cinema with brasserie and bar plus a lively street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tourist Information Centre (01308 424901): 32 South Street. Beaminster, 6 miles inland, offers craft galleries, specialist food shops, restaurants and pubs in pretty Ham stone buildings. Cradled in a downland bowl; it is surrounded by wondrous high ground walking.
Almost all of West Dorset is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Idyllic streams like the Asker, Brit and Bride meander through rolling farmland and traditional villages. On the high ground, ancient footpaths link Iron Age hill-forts. Worth visiting: Eggardon Hill Fort and Powerstock; Abbotsbury with its museum, Swannery and Gardens; the gardens and parks of Mapperton, Minterne and Melbury.
After the spectacular 618 ft Golden Cap above Seatown, the Jurassic Coast Path continues on high cliffs with sea views eastward to Portland and westward all the way to Devon. After Eype, it descends to the charming little harbour at West Bay near Bridport then over cliffs again to Burton Bradstock (beach access). Beyond are marsh areas - habitat for many birds. West Bexington has beach access and a hotel with bar/restaurant after which the Path proceeds virtually on the shore to Abbotsbury. The beach is mainly shingle, occasionally sand and forms a continuous sweep from Chesil Bank to Seatown. The nearest sandy beaches are at Lyme Regis/Charmouth or Weymouth.
Villages with one or more Dorset Coastal Cottage:
Askerswell (cottages: 215, 268, 322, 420, 3420): The former a village with a pub, the latter a rural hamlet. Both set in spectacular hilly countryside with wonderful views and good walking especially to Eggardon Hill-Fort and the lovely Bride Valley.
Beaminster (cottages: 112, 244, 246, 278, 301, 344, 377, 3401, 3403, 3423):Larger than a village, yet not large enough to warrant a main road. The shops are an arresting mix of arts, crafts, antiques, old fashioned victuallers, deli, French patisserie, three pubs, restaurants and hotel. The winner of 2009 Masterchef has now opened his new restaurant in Beaminster Square called the Wild Garlic. http://www.thewildgarlic.co.uk
Broadwindsor (cottage: 348): Set in the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this large village has a craft centre, shop, pub plus wonderful walking in a spectacular range of hills topped by Iron Age forts.
Burton Bradstock (cottages: 242, 251, 255, 256, 287, 378, 3424) A large but exceptionally pretty village on the river Bride where it cuts through Jurassic coastal cliffs to provide access to the sea. It has a shop, two pubs, a recreation ground and a cafe on the nearby beach.
Eype (cottages: 253, 288) : A beautiful village, set just inland from the World Heritage Jurassic Coast with a good pub, hotel, views of Golden Cap and beach access.
Litton Cheney (cottages: 340, 423): A long, winding village with a pub tucked under tumuli-strewn downs in the lovely Bride valley. A maze of paths connects the surrounding rural villages.
Loders/Uploders (cottages: 115, 227, 281, 293, 3419): Rural villages with good pubs, situated south of Eggardon Hill Fort. Superb walks along the River Asker.
Long Bredy (cottage: 516) is located in a small valley and was mentioned in the Domesday Book and has a stone circle known as the 'Grey Mare and her colts'. St Peters Church hides amoungst the trees.
