The county of Dorset is located in the southwest of England and is often said to combine the “best of both worlds”: beautiful sandy beaches and lively coastal resorts on the one hand and unspoiled rural areas with a fascinating history on the other. It is therefore not surprising that Dorset is one of the leading counties in England in terms of the number of overnight stays by tourists.
The history of Dorset begins around 8,000 BC with the settlement of Middle Stone Age hunters. For thousands of years, the high limestone hills in the region were mainly settled, partly to take advantage of the elevated position for protection against possible attacks. The Romans, however, moved their settlements to the valleys. In the Dorchester area in particular, many Roman artifacts representing this era can still be found today.
The geology of the Dorset region is behind the diversity of the landscape. Firstly, there are numerous limestone and chalk formations throughout the county. Between these elevations are many agricultural valleys and floodplains. In the south-east of Dorset, a mixture of clay, sand and gravel provides the breeding ground for heathland, which is home to native reptiles and other species.
The Dorset coast is one of the most visited and most explored coastal regions in the world. Its formation dates back to the Triassic period, some 200 to 250 million years ago. In addition to fossil finds from this period, geological features such as Lulworth Cove, a bay that is considered a natural wonder due to its shape, or Durdle Door, a natural limestone rock bridge, make the coast so unique.
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Introduction Best Places in Dorset 0:00
16. Sherborne 2:47
15. Wareham 5:40
14. Dorchester 7:38
13. Lyme Regis 9:44
12. Kingston Lacy 12:41
11. Weymouth 14:20
10. Isle of Portland 16:53
9. Jurassic Coast 19:15
8. Old Harry Rocks 22:01
7. Corfe Castle 24:03
6. Poole 26:00
5. Christchurch 29:34
4. Mudeford 32:19
3. Hengistbury Head 33:59
2. Bournemouth 35:45
1. Shaftesbury 38:18