Explore

DORSET

Beaches

In addition to Hive Beach itself, the local coastline is home to many beautiful beaches that are well worth exploring.

  • Hive Beach, just 150 metres from the bungalow, is part of the stunning Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, renowned for its dramatic sandstone cliffs and fantastic views. It's also home to the well-regarded Hive Beach Cafe, offering fresh local seafood right on the beachfront.

    Please be aware that this is a deep shelving beach with strong currents and high waves at times. Please keep away from the base of the cliffs as they are unstable and rock falls can happen at any time.

  • West Bay, near Bridport, is a vibrant harbour village, famously featured in the TV series "Broadchurch". We enjoy the 2 mile walk along the cliff path to get there, which takes about 45 minutes, or it is just a short drive away. It offers a bustling harbour with fishing boats, charming kiosks selling fresh seafood, and both shingle and sandy beaches to enjoy.

    As with Hive Beach, please keep away from the base of the cliffs.

  • Weymouth Beach, with its vast expanse of golden sand and shallow, safe waters, is a firm favourite for sandcastle building and paddling. It’s about half an hour’s drive from Burton Bradstock to the east along the pretty coast road.

  • Charmouth Beach (a 20 minute drive) is globally renowned for its abundance of fossils, particularly ammonites and belemnites, which are frequently uncovered from its cliffs and foreshore, especially after stormy weather. The beach itself is a mix of pebbles and sand, offering a delightful and often quieter seaside experience on the Jurassic Coast.

    Please do not look for fossils in the cliffs themselves as they are unstable.

  • Lyme Regis is a picturesque coastal town rich in fossil discoveries, largely thanks to the pioneering work of Mary Anning, and features the iconic Cobb harbour wall, familiar from literature and film. It’s a 30 minute drive and most car parks are about a 10 minute walk from the beach - be prepared for an uphill walk on the way back!

    Look out for The Whole Hog which serves amazing hog roast sandwiches, coffee and doughnuts from a ‘whole in the wall’!

Walking

Dorset is perfect for scenic walks of all kinds, whether you prefer long, leisurely rambles or shorter, refreshing strolls. Here are some of our favourites!

  • In our family, one of the first activities on arriving at the bungalow would always be a walk up Bind Barrow (the hill just to the east of Hive Beach) and to climb on top of the pillbox (as children we called it the ‘matchbox’ as that’s what it looks like from the bungalow!)

    To the west of the bungalow, you can walk to Freshwater Bay along the cliff path and then follow the path in the direction of river back to Burton Bradstock. This walk takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  • The SW coast path is easily accessible from the field in front of the bungalow. The path provides breathtaking panoramic views across Lyme Bay, where on a clear day, you can see as far as Portland Bill and even Start Point in Devon.

    Please take care on the cliff paths and keep your dog on a lead.

  • Golden Cap (a family favourite) is the highest point on the south coast. The climb from Seatown is strenuous but the views are well worth the effort. There is also an easier route from Langdon Hill car park. For a longer walk, you can continue along the coast path to Charmouth (about 4 miles in total from Seatown) and take the bus back, or leave a car at both ends.

  • The pretty village of Abbotsbury is a 10-15 mile drive along the beautiful coast road to the east of Burton Bradstock. You can enjoy a walk up to St Catherine’s Chapel for great views.

    A longer and slightly more challenging circular walk (about 6 miles) can be found here.

  • Maiden Castle, near Dorchester, is one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe. The most striking feature of Maiden Castle is its immense, multiple ramparts and ditches. Walking along these ancient earthworks gives you a real sense of the scale and engineering prowess of its builders. The large, flat interior of the hillfort once housed hundreds of residents, but is now a peaceful grassland where sheep graze. From the top of the hillfort, you can enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding Dorset countryside.

Things to do

There are plenty of activities and attractions to enjoy in the area, perfect for families, couples or friends.

  • Vurlands Animal Farm: Only a 5 minute drive away, this family-run animal farm with play areas and a cafe makes a great day out with the family.

    Abbotsbury Swannery: A truly unique experience, this is the world's only managed colony of nesting mute swans. In spring (May-June), you can walk among hundreds of nesting swans and even witness cygnets hatching. There are daily hand-feeding sessions, a willow maze, and a play area, making it very family-friendly. You can get a ‘passport ticket’ to visit both the Swannery and the Sub-tropical Gardens.

    Sea Life Centre Weymouth: With over 1,000 marine creatures, 15 different zones, and opportunities for feeding sessions, it's a popular attraction for families. It is situated in the Lodmoor Country Park which includes other family attractions.

  • Nothe Fort: Explore this historic Victorian fort with its maze of underground tunnels, fascinating museum displays, and impressive gun emplacements. It offers stunning 360-degree views of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour, and often has family-friendly trails.

    St Catherine's Chapel: For those who enjoy a bit of a walk and stunning views, hike up to St Catherine's Chapel near Abbotsbury. This barrel-vaulted 14th-century chapel offers panoramic vistas over Abbotsbury village, Chesil Beach, and the Fleet Lagoon, and is steeped in local folklore.

    Corfe Castle: About an hour’s drive away, Corfe Castle is a dramatic ruined castle in the village of the same name, perched atop a hill. Built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it played a significant role in English history, including being besieged during the English Civil War and subsequently "slighted" (intentionally damaged) by Parliamentarian forces to prevent its further use as a stronghold. Today, its impressive ruins are managed by the National Trust (free entry for NT members) and offer stunning views and a glimpse into a thousand years of history.

  • You can take boat trips from West Bay, Weymouth or Lyme Regis.

    The Lyme Bay Rib Charter from West Bay is a great way to see the stunning Jurassic Coast.

    The Weymouth Rib Charter has several different trips including a visit to the famous Durdle Door.

  • Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens: Explore 20 acres of magnificent gardens, home to rare and exotic plants from around the world thriving in the mild coastal climate. There are winding paths, beautiful displays of camellias and hydrangeas, and a charming tea house. You can get a ‘passport ticket’ to visit both the Subtropical Gardens and the Swannery.

The Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock

Eating out

Here are some of our favourite places to eat in the area.

  • Situated right on the beach, this multi-award-winning restaurant specializes in delicious freshly caught fish and shellfish in a relaxed, beachy atmosphere. They also serve breakfasts and have a large selection of drinks - find out more here.

  • An award-winning, 300-year-old thatched pub in the heart of the village, focusing on simple, high-quality local produce. They have log fires in winter and a suntrap beer garden for summer, and are dog and child friendly - find out more here.

    Booking in advance is usually essential - you can book online from their website. Closed on Mondays.

  • Specialises in seafood but also offers other pub classics.

    Best to book in advance - you can book on their website. Find out more here.

  • This is one of the ‘sister’ restaurants to the Hive Beach Cafe. It has a pizza menu as well as serving breakfasts and lunches. Generally a bit cheaper than Hive Beach Cafe - find out more here.

  • There are many fish and chip shops in the harbour area of West Bay - this one is a short walk away from the harbour but is well worth it! There is a small seating area, or get a takeaway and eat it on the beach, keeping a careful watch out for the seagulls! They will also deliver to Burton Bradstock. Find out more here.

  • Great for brunch and burger-style suppers, with a children’s menu.
    Find out more here

  • A family-owned Mediterranean restaurant in Bridport known for cooking delicious, fresh, local food in their open kitchen. They are happy to adjust dishes for dietary needs and offer gluten-free options - find out more here.

  • The Parlour is a family-run Italian-influenced restaurant and pizzeria located at Bredy Farm. The restaurant is known for its traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas, home-cooked Italian dishes, and Sunday roasts. The restaurant is situated in a disused milking parlour on the farm and has a reputation for great food and a relaxed, homely atmosphere - find out more here.

  • Previously an immensely popular food shack in West Bay, Rachel’s has now moved to Litton Cheney and serves great seafood at lunchtime. Booking essential - find out more here.

Shopping

Whether you’re shopping for a family meal, looking for delicious local produce, or just browsing, there are plenty of options.

  • The Post Office in Burton Bradstock (next to the Three Horseshoes) sells groceries.

    There is also a convenience store next to the garage on the corner.

  • The nearest medium/large supermarket is Morrisons in Bridport. There is also a Waitrose, a Co-op and a Lidl in Bridport.

    Dorchester has a Tesco easily accessed from the A35.

    Weymouth has a number of supermarkets including Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Lidl.

  • Modbury Farm Shop is a great place to find local and organic produce. They offer their own grass-fed beef and lamb, free-range pork, and raw, unpasteurized Jersey cow's milk. The shop also stocks locally sourced, organic, and seasonal vegetables, freshly baked bread (including sourdough and gluten-free options), local cheeses, and other specialty products. You can order from their website and collect.

    Felicity’s Farm Shop is a family-run business located on the A35 in Morcombelake. The cafe has outdoor seating with great views over the bay.

    Moore’s Biscuits have a shop on the site of their factory in Bridport.

    The Symondsbury Estate has some lovely little shops and a great café.

  • Bridport market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings is fun to browse with a coffee in hand