Dorset is a county on the south coast of England. It shares borders with Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Dorset is rural and picturesque, with rolling green hills and pretty market towns. It is also blessed with beautiful, unspoilt coastline. These qualities, allied with a delightfully laid-back pace of life, top attractions, first-rate hotels, and many excellent restaurants and country inns, make Dorset a popular destination. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of habitation in Dorset from as far back as the Mesolithic period, and many artefacts have been found in the region dating from the Bronze Age.

However, it was the Romans who established civilisation in the county. Dorchester – Durnovaria – was established early in the occupation of the British Isles, the Romans having landed, according to some historians, at nearby Poole Harbour. After the Romans were overrun by the Saxons, Dorset became part of the Kingdom of Wessex; the first recorded use of the name Dorset – Dorseteschire – was made in AD940. Dorset’s history from the Norman Conquest onwards became increasingly turbulent. The many strongholds that were built in the county in this period, such as at Corfe and Sherborne, are evidence of the need to fortify the area. Corfe Castle was largely ruined by Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War, and is one of many ruins in the county.

Dorset’s scenery is pleasing and varied, with beautiful downland and rolling hills interspersed with meandering rivers and picturesque vales and plains. Dorset’s coastline is perhaps the jewel in the crown; much of the Jurassic Coast has been declared a World Heritage Site in recognition of its great scientific importance and splendid beauty. The unique and sometimes bizarre landforms along its length are a real joy – secluded coves, arches and of course the many wonderful beaches make the Dorset coast a popular place to visit. Dorset also has more than its share of seaside resorts. Such was the region’s popularity during the Victorian era that resorts such as Bournemouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth and Swanage sprung up with typically ornate architecture, and the area is still a remarkably popular holiday destination today.