Fossils
With easily found fossils, stunning coastal scenery and
extraordinary geology, a walk along the Jurassic coast is like
a 185 million year journey through time. Highlights include
Portland and Chesil Beach, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and the
fossil hunters Mecca of Charmouth and Lyme Regis.
Sweet Be’mi’ster, that bist a-bound
By green and woody hills all round
Wi’ hedges, reachen up between
A thousand vields o’ zummer green.
William Barnes |
Hardy Country
Just a few miles inland from the sea takes you into the heart of
Thomas Hardy’s Wessex - and home to the Bridge House Hotel - Beaminster
- where Angel Clare’s father was vicar of the village, referred to
as Emminster in ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles.’ And it’s where Tess
walked 15 miles from Flintcoombe-Ash to Emminster on a frosty winter’s
Sunday desperately seeking support after Angel had left her.
Hardy’s land is Dorset where he lived for most of his life and was
the inspiration for much of his work. From the hotel you can take
in Bridport (Port Bredy), Dorchester (Casterbridge), Stinsford (Mellstock),
Puddletown (Weatherbury), Cerne Abbas (Abbot’s Cernal) and, of course
Hardy’s birthplace at Higher Bockhampton (Upper Mellstock).
Beaminster
The hotel is situated just 50 yards from
Beaminster square on the Bridport to Crewkerne road. Here a
wealth of small, independent shops, pubs and cafes make it
lively and interesting and a great place just to wander, browse
and enjoy the traditional, Dorset, hamstone buildings.
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Homes & Gardens
West Dorset also boasts a wealth of historic
houses and places to visit all within easy reach of the hotel. Just
a mile away is Mapperton House, with it’s unique valley garden, that
surrounds the Jacobean manor house. Athelhampton House is one of
England’s finest Medieval homes. To the north-west of Beaminster is
Forde Abbey - the most complete Cistercian monastic building to survive
as a home in Britain. And at Sherborne, visit its two castles, magnificent
abbey and beautiful Medieval town..
Nature
For the nature lover, nearby Abbotsbury is a must with its world famous
swannery where the young hatch from mid-May to end of June, and its
sub-tropical gardens and childrens’ farm.
And for those who would like a true taste of Dorset,
there’s the Moore’s Biscuit Bakery at Morcombelake or a tour of Palmer’s
of Bridport, Britain’s oldest thatched brewery. |
