| Starting in the east with the natural harbour of | | | | Weymouth to Bridport. Pebbles are graded from east |
| Christchurch and the fascinating Mudeford Spit the | | | | to west - the largest at the eastern end. Fishermen |
| coast passes through Bournemouth, one of the | | | | coming ashore in fog are said to have been able to |
| country's most popular resorts to Poole and one of | | | | tell where they were from the size of the pebbles. |
| the largest natural harbours in the world. It boasts | | | | Perhaps not the best beach for bathers, it is |
| five islands, including Brownsea Island - famous for its | | | | nevertheless a sight to behold and worth a visit. |
| red squirrel sanctuary and as the birthplace of the | | | | Those searching for the hotel featured in the novel |
| Scouting movement, fabulous scenery, wonderful | | | | On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan might be |
| wildlife and exhilarating watersports. Poole's premier | | | | disappointed to know that it does not exist. |
| beach is three miles of golden sand along the | | | | The pretty town of Lyme Regis is known as the |
| Sandbanks peninsula in Poole Bay and is regularly | | | | Pearl of Dorset probably best known for The Cobb, |
| rated among the top beaches in the country in | | | | a long harbour wall full of character and history. A |
| surveys. | | | | narrow maze of streets and shops wind their way |
| Onto Purbeck Island - in reality a peninsula guarded | | | | down to the ancient port with its spectacular sea |
| by the spectacular ruins of Corfe Castle - the | | | | views and safe, sandy beach. The Cobb has been a |
| fabulous beaches of Studland Bay looking over to Old | | | | haven for shipping from the time it was built and |
| Harry's Rock and the resort of Swanage. A visit to | | | | made famous, more recently, as the location of the |
| Lulworth Cove is a must. It is an almost perfectly | | | | film The French Lieutenant's Woman. Starring Meryl |
| circular bay with pebble shores flanked by high cliffs. | | | | Streep and Jeremy Irons the book was written by |
| A short, albeit energetic walk, along the coastal path | | | | the late, resident local author John Fowles. The |
| leads to the natural limestone arch called Durdle Door, | | | | beaches between Lyme Regis and neighbouring |
| one of the most photographed and famous parts of | | | | Charmouth are world famous for their fossils. This |
| Dorset's coastline and two small, busy shingle | | | | stretch of the coast has become known as the |
| beaches separated by the rock formation. | | | | Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site, with excellent |
| Weymouth is a mix of seaside resort and fishing | | | | fossil-hunting opportunities for those holidaying along |
| port, beyond which lies the remarkable Chesil Bank, a | | | | the Dorset coast. |
| unique shingle beach that stretches 15 miles from | | | | |