7 secret places to visit in Dorset

Are you planning a visit to Dorset and eager to escape the tourist trails for the path less travelled? We’ve selected 7 secret places to visit in Dorset that showcase this region’s incredible natural scenery, highlight its ancient past and ensure you’ll never look at Dorset in quite the same way again.

Corscombe Standing Stones

If you love ancient and mysterious monuments, you should definitely pay a visit to the Corscombe Standing Stones located near the village of Corscombe . The stones are likely the remains of a chambered long barrow (a type of burial monument). There are ten stones, some of which are standing and some of which lie prone, and they are divided into three groups.

Chapman’s Pool

If secluded and beautiful coves sound like your ideal retreat then Chapman’s Pool won’t disappoint. This picturesque spot is situated on the Isle of Purbeck and can only be accessed either via a coastal footpath or by boat. Reaching the beach is not easy but if you enjoy quiet sandy strolls with no crowds to detract from the striking scenery around you then it’s definitely worth the effort.

Tyneham Village

For an attraction of an entirely different nature on the Isle of Purbeck, explorers can make their way to the deserted Tyneham Village. Villagers were required to leave in 1943 so that the area could be used for military training and to this day it remains unoccupied. There are exhibitions within the village church and school which provide insight into the village and its former residents. For visitors who fancy stretching their legs a bit farther, the beautiful Worbarrow Bay which forms part of the Jurassic Coast is about a mile from the village. It is important to note that the village is not accessible every day but details of opening times can be found here.

Winspit

Surrounded by stunning coastal landscapes and offering enticing explorations, Winspit offers a day out with a difference. This disused quarry is located on the Isle of Purbeck and functioned as a quarry up until WWII when it was used as a military defence site. Doctor Who fans may recognise it from the story "The Underwater Menace" but even without such a claim to fame this intriguing quarry would still be worth exploring. Parts of the quarry are blocked off as they are too dangerous for public access and also to protect bats that live within them. However, other areas of the quarry can be explored, though visitors should take care when doing so.

Coney’s Castle

Coney’s Castle near the village of Marshwood is an unusual Iron Age hill fort because two separate areas are enclosed within its ramparts. There are several possible reasons for this. One is that it was part of the original design, whereas other reasons may be that the fort was smaller and then subsequently enlarged or alternatively it was a larger fort that was made smaller. The surrounding landscapes are great for walking and the nearby Lambert’s Castle hill fort is a further attraction for explorers who wish to extend their trip and take in both forts.

St Edwold's Church

It may be small – in fact it is one of England’s smallest churches – but St Edwold's Church has no shortage of character. Located in the village of Stockwood, this 15th century Grade 1 listed building measures just 9.1 metres by 3.9 metres and enjoys an equally lovely setting within a wooded valley.

Arne

Anyone who wants to step off the beaten path and discover a hidden gem with an abundance of wildlife should make their way to the village of Arne. After enjoying a leisurely exploration of the village, the adjacent RSPB Arne Nature Reserve offers striking heathland and woodland that is home to many species of bird as well as butterflies, dragonflies and reptiles and is a gorgeous place to forget about the outside world and simply wander around the fantastic landscapes.

Off the beaten track and hard to beat for superb secret sightseeing

These attractions may be overlooked by the masses but that only adds to their charm, enabling visitors to see a different side to Dorset that is far removed from the tourist traps which draw the large crowds. From remnants of a distant past to a modern-day wildlife sanctuary, these secret spots will delight anyone who is keen to discover Dorset’s hidden gems.