Swanage Live Cam

This beach has beautiful views to the Purbecks and accross the road to Poole Harbour. There is a swim zone section the usual KidsZone protection and RNLI for safety in the water. This beach is renowned for its sailing, windsurfing, jet-ski and kite-surfing, and is quoted as one of the top ten venues to learn to windsurf and Kite-surf in the world. The most popular place for windsurfing is the area inland towards the harbour where the water is only waist high. This is also a good place to fish.

In line with the popularity of the venue there are four local windsurfing shops, three of which currently run equipment hire and lessons in the area.

The Sandbanks Hotel has a stunning position with Sands Brasserie restaurant and seating right down to the beach. Just across from here is Jazzy's café and bar. This tends to be the trendy meeting place for the young people but is equally popular with families and has a continental feel.

There is a train station at Poole and a good Wilts and Dorset bus service, number 152 from Poole daily until late September. From Bournemouth the 150 runs every hour daily until mid-September. Yellow buses open-topped service runs through on its way to Sandbanks.

Poole Park Gardens spread along a 55 acre lake. Jungle playground, indoor ball pool and slides for the children up to 12, licenced cafe bar and mini railway. There are ducks, and geese and a train journeying through the park. Kingston Lacey House, near Wimborne. A 17th century house owned by the National Trust. Open March 22 to November 2 - house closed Monday and Tuesday, open Bank Holidays.

Ringstead Bay, Weymouth

Ringstead Bay is a shingle beach around five miles East of Weymouth. The parking here can work out expensive, but there is free parking just up from the beach at Southdown. There is also a car park belonging to the National Trust at the top of the cliff, but with a steep walk to the beach.

This bay has around 700 yards of shingle beach and some sand once the tied goes out. There are rock pools and an offshore reef that is uncovered by the tide. The beach is a great place to search for fossils and coral and is overlooked by unspoilt farmland and cliffs. The views are wonderful to Weymouth and Portland and the access is fairly easy. Swimming is safe and there is plenty of grassland for picnics or ball games. Twenty minutes East of the bay is a nudist beach.

Seatown Beach - Nr Chideock

Seatown is a steep shingle beach set in a bay, about one mile off the A35 at Chideock. There is parking for around 100 cars. The beach is clean, quiet and secluded, but it does shelve steeply and care must be taken as there are no lifeguards, although there are two buoys.

Probably the most important activity for the enthusiast is that Seatown is regarded as one of Dorset's prime fossil-hunting spots. For the elderly or the young the access is good making this beach an ideal choice. In the shingle at the foot of the impressive cliffs you can find small ammonites, and in the fallen rocks fossils can be found.

Walking in Dorset

West Dorset is a walker's paradise, with over 300 marked routes to choose from. Whether you favour glistening sea views and coastal scenery, or unspoilt outlooks across the county's beautiful countryside, all tastes are catered for. For a gentle stroll, why not discover one of the area's numerous pub walks, and take the opportunity to sample some delicious local produce. For more information on walking trails in the area, please visit one of our Tourist Information Centres.

West Dorset also boasts accommodation that has received an additional accolade for the facilities offered to walkers. View a list of accommodation classed as 'Walkers Welcome'. Here are a few West Dorset walks to whet your rambling appetite:

The Liberty Trail: The Liberty Trail follows the 28 mile historic route from Ham Hill, Somerset (one of the largest Iron Age hill forts in Europe) to the striking seaside town of Lyme Regis in Dorset. The trail recreates the journey of villagers from Somerset and Dorset who walked to Lyme Regis in 1685 to show their support for the Monmouth Rebellion. The walk encompasses many sites of cultural interest, from the ancient monastery at Forde Abbey to the Cobb at Lyme Regis; a harbour famous not only as a historical landmark, but also for its inclusion in literary works such as Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', and John Fowles' 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'.

The South West Coast Path: Stretching over 630 miles, this walk is not for the faint-hearted, although of course you could undertake just a small section of it if you wish. Beginning at Minehead in Seatown & Golden CapSomerset, the route takes you all the way to Poole Harbour in Dorset, via beautiful open countryside and coastline, much of it now designated as being of World Heritage status. Look out for some of the area's most impressive coastal landmarks along the way, including Golden Cap (the highest point along the South coast), and Chesil Beach (a unique 17 mile pebble barrier stretching from West Bay to Portland).

The Macmillan Way: A route designed to raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Relief Fund, the 290 mile Macmillan Way follows much of the old limestone belt from Boston in Lincolnshire, to theSherborne picturesque village of Abbotsbury in Dorset. Entering Dorset just above the historic town of Sherborne, the walk provides the ideal opportunity to admire all aspects of West Dorset's splendour, from stunning and unspoilt open countryside to fascinating towns and villages.

The Wessex Ridgeway: This walk begins in Marlborough in Wiltshire, and sets its course for the 136 mile trek southwards to the coastal town of Lyme Regis, Dorset. En route you can discover some of Dorset's most impressive hill forts, including Pilsdon Pen, the highest hill in Dorset, and you can become acquainted with the Cerne Giant, a towering chalk figure engraved high on the hill over the pretty village of Cerne Abbas.

The Jubilee Trail: Starting at the ancient monastery of Forde Abbey, the walk winds it way through 90 miles of quiet villages and unspoilt rural landscapes to Bokerley Dyke, on the north-eastern border of the county. The trail offers extensive views of Dorset's beautiful countryside, and takes in some of the regions most charming parishes and picturesque churches.

The Monarch's Way: From Worcester, the trail heads for the South coast, connecting with West Dorset's Jurassic coastline at Charmouth, and then continuing west to Shoreham, where Charles II successfully managed to leave the country.

A wholesome, homely, country town

The views from here are remarkable - to the west, Golden Cap (goal of many an enthusiastic walker); to the east, the grey of restless Fuller's Earth, slipping to the shore. Bridport itself is founded on the cardinals of West, East and South Streets. South Street was Bridportwhere Saxon dwellings stood; East and West Street became, in the 13th century, the focus for the rope and net-working industry which brought wealth and the long, narrow rope-walks.

The centre of Bridport is now dominated by the Georgian Town Hall, built in 1786 as the Market House, complete with butchers stalls. The mediaeval Chantry House also attracts much curiosity for its appearance and its history. Bridport is a hospitable place, welcoming walkers, swimmers, fishermen and all who enjoy Dorset's varied and beautiful coastline. Nick Berry sampled the delights of West Bay during 1998, when the BBC were filming their television series 'Harbour Lights'.

West Dorset has been a silent and often unsung star of many an outstanding major film and TV production. What brings the movie moguls to the area? - much the same reasons as most folk. They come in search of original settings, unspoilt countryside, sweeping landscapes, inspiring seascapes, majestic houses, rural lanes, rustic cottages and picturesque towns and villages. Places like Lyme Regis, Dorchester and Evershot appear often on the location-seekers short list, as do handsome properties such as Forde Abbey, Athelhampton House and Sherborne School. They (and we) are well rewarded with visually breathtaking and memorable settings.