IT is fair to say that Dorset is a beautiful and unique place to live.
Given its mixture of rural and developed landscapes, there are many beautiful villages near major towns and areas.
Some of these areas have stunning sea views, walking distance to beaches, a staircase or just offer awe-inspiring countryside walks.
Here are the most scenic villages in Dorset.
Burton Bradstock
The scenic coastal village near Bridport is one of the places you surely need to explore.
It’s famous for its iconic sandstone cliffs marking the start of Chesil Beach as well as the gorgeous Hive Beach.
The Hive Beach Café is also a great place to unwind after a long walk or to have an alfresco meal, with stunning views of the Dorset coast.
Not only does the village enjoy scenic sea views, but it also has traditional tearooms and an excellent seafood restaurant to visit.
The village can be accessed via the B3157 Coast Road or via the A35.
West Lulworth
With surrounding beaches, awe-inspiring views and friendly locals, West Lulworth is one of the places you definitely should visit.
The scenery around the Lulworth area is stunning, boasting some of the most dramatic geological features along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
West Lulworth is a traditional Dorset fishing village with thatched cottages dating back over 400 years and pretty, former coastguard houses – it is steeped in history and used to be a smugglers haunt.
The Castle Inn is said to be one of the oldest pubs in Dorset, dating from the 16th century.
Tyneham
The only abandoned village on this list, Tyneham is a beautiful village from a bygone time.
The village is based in East Lulworth, near Wareham and lies between the two ridges of the Purbeck Hills.
Tyneham can be accessed off the B3070 where motorists must then follow the signs for the village on the rural road.
The village had a post office, church, school, farmhouses, a rectory and cottages. The entire 3,003-acre site on the Tyneham estate was owned by the Bond family for more than 300 years.
Tyneham village and surrounding hamlets were cleared before Christmas 1943 to allow Allied forces to prepare for the D-Day landings.
Despite the promises of Winston Churchill, the residents never returned to the village and surrounding areas.
Since then, Tyneham village has been the source of fascination for several decades and has become a popular tourist spot.
The rural village has become almost like a museum where tourists can visit the church, school, and derelict properties and learn about its past and villagers.
At Tyneham Farm, some of the outbuildings have been restored and there is a picnic area to enjoy.
Corfe Castle
This breath-takingly beautiful village nestled around the castle of the same name is one of the most iconic villages in the county.
The castle itself was built by William the Conqueror and dates back to the 11th century commanding a significant spot on the Purbeck hills, it’s an altogether unique and mesmerising backdrop for the village.
Enid Blyton holidayed in the area and some of the local places feature in her books – Corfe Castle was the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in the Famous Five.
Abbotsbury
Packed full of quintessential English charm and character, Abbotsbury is one of the most popular villages in Dorset.
It’s a village that many travellers will be aware of given the Coast Road runs through the area.
The picture-postcard village is home to the famous Swannery and St Catherine’s Chapel which boasts tremendous views along Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast.
This is true Thomas Hardy country with Abbotsbury the inspiration behind many of his books. It was also the filming location for a number of period productions including 'Far from the Madding Crowd' starring Carey Mulligan.
Frampton
Based off the A37 and approximately five miles away Dorchester is the village of Frampton.
With the River Frome, a village church and village hall, it is a typical picturesque English village.
It also has a lovely river walk nearby and the surrounding area has been popular with wedding receptions and photo shoots.
Okeford Fitzpaine
Nestled in the beautiful Blackmore Vale is the village of Okeford Fitzpaine.
A stroll through the village sees a church, a Methodist chapel, many thatched cottages, a popular pub and a convenience store.
The parish has dozens of structures listed by Historic England for their historic or architectural interest, namely its green telephone box and a table tomb in St Andrews churchyard.
Okeford Fitzapaine also has its own museum, which documents the area’s history, its early 19th-century fire engine and a World War II air-raid siren issued to the village post office.
Milton Abbas
The village of Milton Abbas is famous for its identical thatched cottages and is believed to be the first planned town or village in Britain.
It was built in the 18th century by Joseph Damer, Lord Milton. The old town of Milton used to stretch from the Abbey walls to the north end of the present lake and had around 100 houses.
Damer didn't like the noise and smell of the town so close to his mansion (now Milton Abbey School) so he demolished the old town, moving the inhabitants to a new village out of sight in the next valley (Milton Abbas).
Capability Brown designed the remaining landscape including the lake.
Not only is the village a stunning part of Dorset, but it also has spectacular green stairs which lead up to Saxon chapel St Catherine's at Milton Abbey, Milton Abbas.
The grass staircase is thought to be one of only two in this country.
Although you can't go up the steps, the best view of them is from the Abbey grounds looking up towards the chapel, which dates back to 1190.
- Read more - The amazing grass staircase at Milton Abbas
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