My doorstep is a diamond. Review on Dorset

If Kent is the garden of England, then Dorset is the ornamental birdbath in the centre!

This county has so much to tell, but I will merely get a chance to give you a summary of her beauty and mystique.

A county famous for many things, but visited by so few. A good thing in its way, as the roads of Dorset are so narrow in places, you can only get one car at a time down them.

Here is a brief episode taken from a journey I made last Sunday.

As we pulled into the car park, a well-sunned local handed me the parking voucher.

“tha dl be £3 sah”

A hefty fee for parking, I thought, but on closer inspection it could be redeemed for drink or food at the nearby Smugglers Inn.

We left the car and walked to the edge of the cliff. It was not stony, but a rolling green cliff, leading to a small cove-like beach, with few people to spoil the tranquil atmosphere.

A short walk down a steep embankment and you were outside the Smugglers. The sound of water brought pleasure to my ears, with her musical cascade as she ran through the centre of the garden, down a small waterfall and on join the vast seas of the English Channel.

We decided to have the drinks after we completed what was meant to be, a short walk.

The south coast path ran around the Inn, and up a grassy slope towards a copse. The sign read “Beware the Bull” they must have knew that Aberdeen Angus was coming today!

Our speed increased until we were safe in the woods, over the wooden stile, with the sound of hoofs a distant reminder.

The birds were singing in harmony, the sun, hot, hotter than I had known it this year, and thin beads of perspiration were forming on my brow already.

As we rounded the twisty path, out of the copse and onto a slim path along the cliff top, the scenery was breathtaking.

Looking starboard, or to the right for you land lubbers, was the dominant and eerie Portland Rock. Standing proudly over Weymouth and Dorset, like a giant hand ready to grab any ship that sailed too close. Following inland, Weymouth, the tourist trap and ferry port. Her golden beach was intensified by the rays of the sun, brining to life the character of a holiday resort, and making a bowing statement to all who could see.

The high cliffs again set fire to the coastline, with their plush greenery, as if they were peacocks strutting around with feathers and plumage displayed.

To the Port side, (left) we were greeted with steep cliffs, and a path that intimidated the heartiest of Sunday walkers. The tallest point being White Nothe, which I guess is olde English for White Nose. No guesses were needed to why she was called so, as the towering white rocks were the major player in this landscape.

3 hours later, we returned to the Smugglers, and I stared into the golden aura of a cider shandy, possibly the most refreshing one I had ever drunk!

I cut this short, as it would be a ramble of my ramble, if you get what I mean.

This is just one of the many, many walks and sights there are in Dorset.

Here are some facts

Dorset is the only county in England that does not have a Motorway.

Sparingly populated, and the capital being Dorchester.

Bournemouth and Poole are literally joined together and you could drive for almost an hour from one side to the other.

Corfe castle, a ruined castle stands on a hill overlooking the National Trust owned village. Walking around here is like taking a step back in time.

There is a steam railway that goes to Swanage, another famous seaside resort.

There are villages with such names as;

Shiterton

Piddle Hinton

Tincleton

Tolpuddle

Puddletown

Shiterton still wins it, especially as the river Piddle runs nearby it!!

You have the best of both worlds, as the New Forrest runs through east Dorset, making camping and caravanning a popular pastime.

To the west of Dorset lie Lyme Regis and Charminster, two of the finest fossil hunting beaches in the world.

In Lyme Regis you have 2 fossil shop/museums, where some archaeological masterpieces are displayed.

The kids would love to wander around the beaches of Charminster, looking for fossils while you all relax and enjoy the peace.

In the village of Moreton you will find the grave of Laurence of Arabia, who died in a motorcycle accident a short distance away at cloud hill.

You can pick strawberries at local farms, and dine in the many pubs and Inns located in tranquil villages.

Attractions include Monkey World, a rescue centre for apes and monkeys from all over the world.

You can see Charlie the baby orang-utan, and the many baby chimps, constantly causing mayhem.

Poole Pottery, where you can make your own pottery items and paint them etc.

Bovington Tank Museum, next to Bovington army camp, and also special viewing points to watch the real tank exercises.

Tyneham, the village vacated during World War 2, and never re-occupied.

You can only get to this eerie village when the gates are open, through the tank exercise areas.

Kimmeridge bay, another fossil hunting place.

There are so many, I could write a book so easily.

The jist of this is really to come and see and enjoy one of the few unspoilt county’s left in England.

Angus