| in a palatial building on a public square, this stately, art-filled inn is a mile from dorchester west railway station, 2 miles from the dinosaur museum and 3 miles from the ancient maiden castle. . full english breakfast is included. a bar features plush leather seating and a terrace. charming rooms with georgian-era decor include free wi-fi, flat-screen tvs, and tea and coffeemaking equipment. some feature wood-panelled walls and/or 4-poster beds. there's a casual restaurant offering traditional british fare and a weekly carvery
Bristol Airport 1 hr 35
Ringstead Bay (25 min)
Picturesque beachfront area featuring footpaths, clifftops & grassy surrounding farmland. Weymouth Harbour (19 min)
Vibrant boating marina with shower facilities, a nearby sand beach & an annual seafood festival. Cerne Abbas Giant (18 min)
Mysterious, club wielding, naked male figure, of indeterminable age, cut into a chalk hillside. SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth (17 min)
Family-friendly exhibits with a variety of sea creatures (most offer play areas & group packages). Dorset County Museum (5 min)
Collections of Iron Age artifacts from Maiden Castle, local fossils and Thomas Hardy's effects. Abbotsbury Swannery (22 min)
Sanctuary for 600 mute swans on the site of an 11th-century monastery, plus kids' play and a maze. Hardys Cottage (12 min)
Quaint cottage & birthplace of English author Thomas Hardy, with a visitor centre and a garden. Lulworth Cove (29 min)
This distinctive, rounded bay formed by sea erosion features arced waves & limestone folding. Weymouth Beach (18 min)
Curving, sheltered beach popular for sun bathing & swimming & once frequented by King George III. Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (19 min)
18th-century garden with rare plants and notable magnolia and camellia blooms, plus a restaurant. Isle of Portland (31 min)
Beyond its cafes & pubs, this island features numerous scenic walking paths & views of the Channel. Maiden Castle (7 min)
Expansive Iron Age hillfort with multiple ramparts built in the 1st century BC, plus views & paths. Durdle Door (28 min)
This natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast is one of Dorset's most photographed landmarks. Nothe Fort (22 min)
Open museum in a Victorian coastal fort with labyrinthine tunnels, plus film and diorama displays. Chesil Beach (24 min)
Steep shingle beach, popular with anglers & walkers, with many cafes along its 18-mile length. | 
