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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Dorset's prettiest villages to visit according to readers
Many of these have beautiful scenery, amazing cultural experiences and historical points of interest to take in. Some may even have the benefit of a beach or woodland to explore, alongside some amazing food and drink options. With the overwhelming amount of choice, it might be tough to pin down what the prettiest village in Dorset is. Therefore, we decided to ask Daily Echo readers what they believed to be the village that best fit that description. Dorset's prettiest villages according to readers A small number of comments were left on the Facebook post asking what people believed to be Dorset's prettiest villages. As a result, there wasn't a village mentioned more than once, giving a variety of answers. One of those was Milton Abbas in central Dorset, which is around 11 miles northeast of Dorchester. It is described as a "chocolate-box cottage hideaway" that is "nestled in beautiful countryside", according to Visit Dorset. Milton Abbas is highlighted as an "archetypal English village", which is a "photographer's delight" thanks to its whitewashed cob and thatch cottages. There is also a deep historical connection to the village as the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown worked on the design of Milton Abbas with architect William Chambers. Meanwhile, one reader went a bit more generic and discussed the peninsula of Purbeck as offering many examples. They wrote: "Anything in the Purbecks, when we went to Kimmeridge, there were some beauties we passed through, real chocolate box stuff." Kimmeridge itself is described as a "charming", "quiet" and "unspoilt" spot by Visit Dorset. Set back from its bay, which has been home to intriguing fossil finds, it is also made up of "picture-perfect Purbeck stone and thatch cottages" which line the roads. Another spot brought up for its gorgeous nature is Littlebredy, which stands at the head of the Bride Valley. It has some of the "best inland scenery to be seen in the country", according to Visit Dorset. Cars are not allowed through part of the village, which creates a peaceful ambience. Notable features include the "decorative and thatched" cottages as well as the village church. A village around two miles from Corfe Castle was brought up by a reader in Kingston. It is mainly built using Purbeck stone and has a 13th-century church and inn, Virtual Swanage says. Part of its appeal is its views out towards Corfe Castle, its charming cottages and well-regarded village pub. Finally, a spot mentioned by a reader was Fontmell Magna, which can be found in the north of the county. Recommended reading: This tiny village and civil parish has a population of 640, according to the 2021 Census, and is part of the Blackmore Vale area, meaning it is surrounded by countryside. There are 45 structures within the area that have been listed by Historic England for their architectural or historical interest. While there aren't a huge number of things to do in the village, it does have a well-regarded pub in The Fontmell.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Daily Record
Stunning seaside town overrun with 'moronic' yobs suffers major blow
One of the UK's most iconic seaside resorts has been hit with a major blow after being stripped of a prestigious title. Weymouth Bay, a stunning three-mile beach, situated in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, is a popular tourist destination, attracting around two million tourist each year. Its historic and pleasant town centre has always been a big hit with visitors, but its pièce de résistance has always been it golden sandy beach. Describing the town, the area's official tourist board Visit Dorset said: "Weymouth's sheltered bay, gradual sloping seabed and exquisite waters offer swimmers, bathers and water sports enthusiasts idyllic and safe conditions to suit every taste. "The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting championships and a wide range of events for all to enjoy." However, after the Environment Agency downgraded the Weymouth's water quality from 'excellent' to 'good' in 2024, the area lost its Blue Flag status, according to the Mirror. Earlier this year, Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council's Environment and Services Committee, described the review as 'disappointing'. The council is reportedly working with agencies to tackle its dip in water quality to 'improve the situation'. Despite being robbed of the accolade, Weymouth Beach was given a Seaside Award - which aims to recognise 'quality and diversity' and focuses more on well-managed, clean beaches as opposed to factors like water quality. "We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents," Weymouth Town Council's Town Clerk Jane Biscombe said, according to the BBC. However, losing its Blue Flag gong isn't the only problem plaguing the region. As previously reported, swathes of business owners and residents claim their home is being ruined by 'moronic' anti-social behaviour, and the constant stink of drugs. "It's definitely got worse," argues Lee Waugh, 57, a military veteran who has lived in Weymouth since his teenage years. "The levels of the problems seem to be higher. For example, we need tables out the front to showcase our clothes and bring people into the shop, but opportunists steal them. It's a catch 22. It's a problem in town – groups can cause mayhem." Lee also spoke of the issue of smell, saying that the drugs in the area are now extremely obvious and off-putting due to the infamous smell once lit. "There's a lot of weed – you can smell it," he added. "People don't even hide it through town, they're walking up and down the street with it." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Janet and David Dye, 67 and 71, are from Basildon, Essex, but frequently visit their son who lives in the town. They too have noticed a decline in the town's reputation, and argue weed is the 'main problem'. "If you are drinking a bottle of beer in the street, the police should stop you and tell you to tip it out – that's supposed to be the law," David said. "But a lot of the time they won't, until someone complains that they're drunk." The Mirror contacted Dorset Police back in April this year to ask what was being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Weymouth. It pointed to its Safer Street Partnership, an initiative backed by several organisations including Dorset Council Community Safety Team, which tries to not only identify those causing disruption on the streets, but to help rehabilitate them. "Over the last five years reported anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 40 per cent," stated Sam Goom, Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team. "The Safer Street Partnership is an integral part of that success. "Our collaborative effort to tackle street-based ASB has made a huge difference – our partners work extremely hard to find long-term solutions. They are a great bunch, and I am thankful for their continued commitment. There is always more to do but definite progress is being made."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK seaside resort plagued with yobs suffers major blow over 'stunning' beach
A famous UK seaside resort grappling with anti-social behaviour and constant smells of drugs has seen its high-acclaimed beach lose out on a prestigious award this year The faultless reputation of one of the UK's most iconic seaside resorts has taken a tumble after its three-mile beach was stripped of a prestigious award. Situated in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, and surrounded by lush Dorset countryside - Weymouth attracts a staggering two million day trippers every single year. Steeped in history and boasting a charming town centre, the resort's pièce de résistance has often been its golden sand beach. "Weymouth's sheltered bay, gradual sloping seabed and exquisite waters offer swimmers, bathers and water sports enthusiasts idyllic and safe conditions to suit every taste," hailed Visit Dorset, the area's official tourist board. "The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting championships and a wide range of events for all to enjoy." Weymouth Central Beach, which has often been regarded as one of the best slices of coast in Europe, was even frequented by King George III in the late 1700s. But, after its water quality was downgraded from 'excellent' to 'good' by the Environment Agency at the end of 2024, Weymouth has waved goodbye to its Blue Flag status. Earlier this year, Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council's Environment and Services Committee, described the review as 'disappointing'. The council is reportedly working with agencies to tackle its dip in water quality to 'improve the situation'. Despite being robbed of the accolade, Weymouth Beach was given a Seaside Award - which aims to recognise 'quality and diversity' and focuses more on well-managed, clean beaches as opposed to factors like water quality. "We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents," Weymouth Town Council's Town Clerk Jane Biscombe said, according to the BBC. However, losing its Blue Flag gong isn't the only problem plaguing the region. As previously reported, swathes of business owners and residents claim their home is being ruined by 'moronic' anti-social behaviour, and the constant stink of drugs. "It's definitely got worse," argues Lee Waugh, 57, a military veteran who has lived in Weymouth since his teenage years. "The levels of the problems seem to be higher. For example, we need tables out the front to showcase our clothes and bring people into the shop, but opportunists steal them. It's a catch 22. It's a problem in town – groups can cause mayhem." Lee also spoke of the issue of smell, saying that the drugs in the area are now extremely obvious and off-putting due to the infamous smell once lit. "There's a lot of weed – you can smell it," he added. "People don't even hide it through town, they're walking up and down the street with it." Janet and David Dye, 67 and 71, are from Basildon, Essex, but frequently visit their son who lives in the town. They too have noticed a decline in the town's reputation, and argue weed is the 'main problem'. "If you are drinking a bottle of beer in the street, the police should stop you and tell you to tip it out – that's supposed to be the law," David said. "But a lot of the time they won't, until someone complains that they're drunk." The Mirror contacted Dorset Police back in April this year to ask what was being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Weymouth. It pointed to its Safer Street Partnership, an initiative backed by several organisations including Dorset Council Community Safety Team, which tries to not only identify those causing disruption on the streets, but to help rehabilitate them. "Over the last five years reported anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 40 per cent," stated Sam Goom, Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team. "The Safer Street Partnership is an integral part of that success. "Our collaborative effort to tackle street-based ASB has made a huge difference – our partners work extremely hard to find long-term solutions. They are a great bunch, and I am thankful for their continued commitment. There is always more to do but definite progress is being made."
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK's largest beach is huge 18-miles long and tourists say 'it's so empty'
Despite being located on one of the most popular coastal regions in the UK, it's not uncommon to have this huge 18-mile beach to yourself. But, there is one small catch This stunning slice of the UK coast looks like something out of a film - and has somehow avoided the tourist radar. Finding a decent beach in dreary England can sometimes feel like an impossible feat - with far too many becoming a sewage dumping ground for water companies. Then, when you find a beautiful shore with golden sand and crystal-clear water - they become insufferably busy with droves of tourists the second the sun comes out. If you're not keen on rubbing shoulders with a complete stranger while trying to soak up some rays, you have to check out Chesil Beach. This 18-mile long shore stretches from West Bay to Portland, and is often touted as one of Dorset's most iconic landmarks. However, there is a little bit of a catch. "Contrary to Weymouth's golden sands, Chesil is not your typical British beach lined with stripy deckchairs and pastel painted beach-huts but wild, rugged and at the mercy of Mother Nature," explained Visit Dorset. "Forming part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, the sweeping, shingle ridge stretching for miles into the distance is a sight to behold, in fact, the view of Chesil Beach from the coast road above Abbotsbury has been voted by Country Life Magazine as Britain's 3rd best view." So, if you're willing to head to the beach with a good pair of shoes (going barefoot won't end well), you may get Chesil Beach entirely to yourself. On Tripadvisor, the natural wonder is filled with five-star reviews, with many travellers vowing to return. "The beach stretches so far that it's absolutely huge," one Brit raved. "Whilst there were other people there, at times it was so quiet and peaceful it felt empty. All you could hear were the waves on the shore and the light breeze whistling." Another agreed, commenting: "I didn't have any expectations in advance and it was stunning. A huge bank of stones, like a giant sand dune, that stretches as far as the eye can see with the sea on either side," while a third wrote: "We walked up and along Chesil Beach on a very windy day. The sea was crashing down on the stones and it looked magnificent. The banks of stones go on and on out of sight and what a journey all those years ago." Chesil Beach is some 139 miles from London, meaning you'll have to prepare yourself for a three-hour and 38-minute drive to get there. However, direct trains from the Big Smoke to Weymouth slash the journey time down to two hours and fifty minutes. If you're flexible with dates, you can bag single adult fares for as little as £16. From Weymouth, you'll be able to get a 16-minute taxi ride down to the beach, or can hike along the coast and take in the breathtaking views of the West Dorset Heritage Coast. However, this 10-mile walk will take around three-and-a-half hours.
