Dorset is rich in heritage; the historical roots go deep, beyond Anglo Saxon and Roman influences, earlier even than Iron Age!

West Dorset is a unique part of the country, with a magnificent coastline of some 25 miles made up entirely of rocks formed some 1160 million years ago. Designated a UK World Heritage Site due to its Jurassic heritage and particularly famous for the historic discovery of the world's first ichthyosaur and with an abundance of fossils, the coastline ensures some fantastic fossil hunting opportunities.

Film-makers, TV researchers, poets and authors have all been captivated by the outstanding beauty of the landscape and coastline and the county was home to a number of well-known authors, including Jane Austen; adaptations of her famous classic love stories have been filmed in various locations in the county over the years, including Emma and Persuasion. Lyme Regis was the home of author John Fowles and the movie adaptation of his classic novel 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' was filmed in the local area and on the Cobb harbour where a cloaked Meryl Streep famously stood and Jeremy Irons also starred. However, it is Thomas Hardy that we most associate with the county; his novels were based in fictional Wessex with its county town of Casterbridge being the real county town of Dorchester and scenes from such well-known novels as “Far from the Madding Crowd” can easily be identified.

The West Dorset landscape is made up of undulating wooded countryside and the flat expanse of the Blackmore Vale. The impressive Iron Age hill fort of Maiden Castle on the outskirts of Dorchester became occupied circa 4,000BC, and the defences visible today date from around 800BC. The highest hill fort in Dorset - Pilsdon Pen was excavated in the 1960s, and found to contain late Iron Age huts and the beautiful views from its summit encompass many miles.

The inland scenery is equally inviting and has some of the finest country homes and gardens in the south. The area is rich in archaeological remains, along with unspoilt rural villages set in lovely countryside, with ancient hedgerows and winding country lanes this is perfect walking territory where one can spend many hours exploring the maze of footpaths, cycle routes, coastal and woodland trails and bridleways. In the east there are extensive heath lands, whilst the chalk downs in the centre of Dorset is criss-crossed by rivers and streams. This region is well known for the famous figure looming high over the picturesque village of Cerne Abbas - the Cerne Giant, a 180ft high male figure cut into the chalk hillside, believed to be an ancient symbol of spirituality. An alternative theory is that the giant is representative of the Roman god Hercules, who was often depicted naked with a club in his right hand.

Discover seaside towns and villages including the picturesque, yet bustling resorts of West Bay where the views are quite remarkable along with Charmouth and Lyme Regis which offer the widest range of holiday activities: paddling in the sea, fishing trips, windsurfing, strolls along the proms to mention just a few! Some areas permit dogs on beaches all year round.

Dorset Attractions:

Abbotsbury Swannery: Dorset’s world famous sanctuary. 01305 871858. www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk

Athelhampton House and Gardens, Nr Dorchester. One of the finest 15th Century Manor houses in England. 01305 848363. www.athelhampton.co.uk

GoApe, Nr Ringwood: Take to the trees and experience an exhilarating adventure on a course of rope bridges. 0845 6439236. www.goape.co.uk

Bournemouth Aviation Museum. 01202 580858. www.aviation-museum.co.uk

Dorset County Museum, Dorchester: 01305 262735. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester: An award winning dinosaur museum, a treat for children. 01305 269880. www.thedinosaurmuseum.com

Lulworth Castle Park: Walk in the footsteps of Kings and Queens! 0845 4501054. www.lulworth.com

Adventure Wonderland, Bournemouth: An award winning park offers a full days fun whatever the weather. 01202 483444. www.adventurewonderland.co.uk

Sherborne Castle. A famous castle built by Sir Walter Raleigh. 01935 813182. www.sherbornecastle.com

Swanage Railway. Travel on Dorset’s steam railway and make the most of the Jurassic Coast. 01929 425800. www.swanagerailway.co.uk

Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary. 01305 788255. www.sealifeeurope.com