Day 4 saw us trying again for Shaftesbury, and we’re so glad we swapped the day because.. no bins or cars!! Meaning Momma got her first photos of Gold Hill with nothing in the way.. not even any other people! In hindsight, we should have got Santa a loaf and a bike to properly recreate the iconic advert.
There also plenty of other things to do in Shaftesbury – we had a wander around the free museum, explored the remains of the abbey, browsed a few charity shops, and of course stopped for the all-important coffee and cake.
As it’s bluebell season, and Dorset is known to have some fabulous displays, we decided to track one down. Luckily, Duncliffe Wood is just a short drive away, and it didn’t disappoint. There were carpets of bluebells everywhere, and we hardly saw anyone else whilst we were there. It’s an ancient woodland, with gentle trails leading you through some of the best patches. Is there anything more magical than a bluebell wood 💙
We couldn’t visit Dorset without driving through somewhere with an unusual name.. what do you think to our choice 😉
One of Dorset’s more popular attractions that we’d never visited before is The Blue Pool. Famous for its ever-changing colours, the water shifts between shades of blue and green depending on the light. It’s such a calm, quiet spot that’s perfect for slowing things down for an hour or two. It also has the UK’s longest rope bridge, which adds a playful touch to an otherwise tranquil setting. The entrance fee is slightly on the pricier side at £9.75pp, but we thought it was worth the money.
As it was a beautiful evening, we headed back to Knoll Beach to enjoy it rain-free. We could see over to the Isle of Wight, with a really clear view of Old Harry too. There’s something about being on the beach in the evening—walking along the sand, listening to the waves—that makes it the perfect way to (almost) end the day.
We rounded things off with a lovely meal at The Fox Inn, where Santa enjoyed a giant scotch egg and a few bevs.
The final morning saw us packing up and leaving our lovely Airbnb behind. We would love to return again and explore more of the immediate surrounding areas! After grabbing a coffee for the road, we headed over to Kimmeridge Bay to start out final coastal circular of the trip.
/The original plan was to explore Kimmeridge and then drive to Tyneham Village, but after realising we could walk there along the coastal path, we quickly changed plans—and we’re so glad we did. The views the entire way were stunning. The route passes through a MOD firing range, so it’s essential to check it’s open before setting off, and to stick to the marked yellow routes at all times.
Tyneham is an abandoned village from WWII that you can wander around, with old cottages, a church, and even a school still standing. Walking around the empty buildings and reading the stories of the families who once lived there makes it feel both peaceful and quite moving. There’s also a small food van—perfect timing for a halfway treat (the tiffin was especially good!).
The final stretch before the walk back to the car was to Worbarrow Bay and it’s easily one of the most beautiful beaches we visited. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs, it feels much more remote and untouched than some of the busier spots along the coast.
After a quick wander along Kimmeridge beach, it was back to the car for the long drive home—which, thankfully, was completely uneventful (a rarity!).Dorset really is a beautiful place to visit, and we’d highly recommend making Corfe Castle your base for exploring the Jurassic Coast.
The Travelling Ginger 