Nestled in the heart of the United Kingdom is a county of charm, splendour, and natural beauty – Dorset. From the distinct Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the quiet rural countryside, the embodiment of the English pastoral dream, Dorset serves an invitation for city-exhausted souls to breathe in the fresh air and return to nature. Yet, among various other experiences, two that stand out the most are opportunities for long walks and the glory of its open skies, perfect for stargazing enthusiasts.
Dorset's walks offer the perfect blend of tranquil settings and picturesque views, coupled with the enjoyment of exercise freeing the mind of everyday stress. Its walking routes, or the ‘Rights of Way,’ span across a whopping four thousand kilometres length, covering a diversity that one can only imagine – pastoral lands, woodland paths, coastal routes, and historic sites.
The renowned Jurassic coast walk is awe-inspiring. Spanning 95 miles between Exmouth in East Devon and Studland Bay in Dorset, it offers a journey through 185 million years of Earth's history. Upon this path, one is greeted with nature's miracles – fossilized remains of ancient creatures, unique coastal rock formations like the Durdle Door and The Cobb, and the startling view of the English Channel.
For those captivated by idyllic pastoral scenes, the Cerne Abbas walk unfolds the tranquil Dorset countryside like a verdant canvas. Circa 5 miles long, it takes one through pasture lands, hills and valleys and to Cerne Abbas, a village straight out of a rustic English fairy-tale. Overlooking this village is the historic Cerne Giant, a mysterious hillside chalk figure created centuries ago. It features prominently in Dorset’s folklore.
Yet, the awe-inspiring moments are not confined to daylight in Dorset. outdoor adventures in dorset Often considered as one of the finest stargazing spots due to its vast, clear skies, Dorset provides a perfect location for celestial admirers. Be it amateur astronomers or anyone fascinated by the cosmos, the calm open skies decorated with twinkling stars offer everyone an alluring retreat into the night.
Notably, the Dark Sky Discovery Site in the Re-More area is a must-visit. This site holds an 'Orion' category status, indicating such clear skies that one can perfectly see the constellation Orion and potentially nebulae, with the naked eye. It's not uncommon here to observe shooting stars, or meteor showers, or the milky way galaxy's spiral arm on a moonless night.
Alternatively, the Durlston Country Park's Great Globe area, one of the best stargazing places near the jurassic coast, is an amateur astronomer's paradise. This area hosts numerous events throughout the year where fellow stargazers gather for star parties, meteor shower watch parties, and other astronomical events.
No doubt, the daylight allure of Dorset rests in its scenic trails, the relics of a bygone era, and the amazing coastal and countryside landscapes. The charm of Dorset during the night though is rooted in its open skies, offering an extraordinarily clear view of the cosmos — a sight to behold for stargazers. Whether a nature lover or a city-dweller yearning for peace, Dorset's outdoor charm lures every visitor into a simple yet enchanting life.
A trip to Dorset, with its quixotic blend of long walks under the clear blue sky during the day and stargazing under dark open skies during the night, provides an exceptional 'back to nature' experience. It is no wonder then that people who visit Dorset once, find themselves drawn to this pastoral paradise time and again, lured by its timeless appeal and tranquillity.
Dorset's walks offer the perfect blend of tranquil settings and picturesque views, coupled with the enjoyment of exercise freeing the mind of everyday stress. Its walking routes, or the ‘Rights of Way,’ span across a whopping four thousand kilometres length, covering a diversity that one can only imagine – pastoral lands, woodland paths, coastal routes, and historic sites.
The renowned Jurassic coast walk is awe-inspiring. Spanning 95 miles between Exmouth in East Devon and Studland Bay in Dorset, it offers a journey through 185 million years of Earth's history. Upon this path, one is greeted with nature's miracles – fossilized remains of ancient creatures, unique coastal rock formations like the Durdle Door and The Cobb, and the startling view of the English Channel.
For those captivated by idyllic pastoral scenes, the Cerne Abbas walk unfolds the tranquil Dorset countryside like a verdant canvas. Circa 5 miles long, it takes one through pasture lands, hills and valleys and to Cerne Abbas, a village straight out of a rustic English fairy-tale. Overlooking this village is the historic Cerne Giant, a mysterious hillside chalk figure created centuries ago. It features prominently in Dorset’s folklore.
Yet, the awe-inspiring moments are not confined to daylight in Dorset. outdoor adventures in dorset Often considered as one of the finest stargazing spots due to its vast, clear skies, Dorset provides a perfect location for celestial admirers. Be it amateur astronomers or anyone fascinated by the cosmos, the calm open skies decorated with twinkling stars offer everyone an alluring retreat into the night.
Notably, the Dark Sky Discovery Site in the Re-More area is a must-visit. This site holds an 'Orion' category status, indicating such clear skies that one can perfectly see the constellation Orion and potentially nebulae, with the naked eye. It's not uncommon here to observe shooting stars, or meteor showers, or the milky way galaxy's spiral arm on a moonless night.
Alternatively, the Durlston Country Park's Great Globe area, one of the best stargazing places near the jurassic coast, is an amateur astronomer's paradise. This area hosts numerous events throughout the year where fellow stargazers gather for star parties, meteor shower watch parties, and other astronomical events.
No doubt, the daylight allure of Dorset rests in its scenic trails, the relics of a bygone era, and the amazing coastal and countryside landscapes. The charm of Dorset during the night though is rooted in its open skies, offering an extraordinarily clear view of the cosmos — a sight to behold for stargazers. Whether a nature lover or a city-dweller yearning for peace, Dorset's outdoor charm lures every visitor into a simple yet enchanting life.
A trip to Dorset, with its quixotic blend of long walks under the clear blue sky during the day and stargazing under dark open skies during the night, provides an exceptional 'back to nature' experience. It is no wonder then that people who visit Dorset once, find themselves drawn to this pastoral paradise time and again, lured by its timeless appeal and tranquillity.