Location, Location, Location...

Bridport, a busy  market town, with a colourful history and a thriving art scene, is the perfect base for a Dorset break. One mile inland from the fishing harbour at West Bay, it is one of West Dorset's most attractive towns, with over 500 listed buildings, a traditional shopping centre, and some of the widest streets in England (a product of the medieval “cordage” trade, which still survives, the broad streets were designed for the twisting and dyeing of ropes and nets). 

The region, which provided the setting for Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage television  series, is quintessential English countryside, right on the Jurassic Coast, a stretch of cliffs and beaches, now designated a World Heritage site. Bridport is also within driving distance of the chalk downs at Cerne Abbas, the harbour at Lyme Regis, the beach at Burton Bradstock, Abbotsbury Swannery, and Chesil Beach. For the energetic, it's within walking distance of the Lyme Bay beaches and National Trust coastline at West Bay, Eype, Seatown and Charmouth. Bridport's 17th century streets and lively market (Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the year), is right on the doorstep.