Enid Blyton in Dorset

Enid Blyton’s children’s books might not be the most politically correct in the world, but it’s unlikely that those of us who read them were really affected in any negative way J On the contrary, many people remember fondly her stories of elves and pixies, The Secret Seven, and the Famous Five’s summer holiday adventures in the countryside.

Many of Enid Blyton’s stories are set in Dorset and she spent many holidays here, frequently staying at Purbeck. With her husband, she purchased a farm at Sturminster Newton (which features in the story Five on Finniston Farm) plus the old Isle of Purbeck Golf Club (which features in Five Have a Mystery to Solve). Whispering Islandis said to be inspired by Brownsea Island, and Enid Blyton’s Kirren Castle is widely acknowledged to be inspired by Dorset’s Corfe Castle.

Take a walk in the Dorset countryside, or a ride on a steam train, or cycle down one of Dorset’s leafy lanes and through its quaint villages, and it’s not hard imagine you’re in an Enid Blyton story in search of lost treasure, or hot on the trail of top-secret papers

Whether you’re looking for adventures, a romantic getaway, a reviving break by the sea, a birthday surprise or anniversary treat, a base for a walking holiday, or family-friendly accommodation; Chesil Beach Lodge really is a perfect place to stay. Please visit our website to find out more about our eco-friendly bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

And don’t forget we’re open all year round, so to book self-catering accommodation in Dorset for Christmas, please contact us: a warm welcome, sea views and a luxurious cosy apartment awaits you.

West Dorset: things to do in the evenings

Chesil Beach Lodge isn’t only perfect as a base for a wide variety of interesting and inspiring day-time activities; there’s a lot going on in the evenings too. Our local area has a wonderful array of restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas and seasonal activities to choose from, and here’s our pick of just a few:

The Electric Palace in Bridport: always a full programme of theatre, live music, comedy and cinema.

The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis: a traditional seaside theatre offering a great range of events including live music, local and professional drama, and musical productions.

Riverside Restaurant, Bridport: views of the river, countryside and beyond to the sea; with a menu offering the freshest and best fish and shellfish from local waters and the surrounding area.

The Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock: homemade food with locally sourced ingredients, plus a wide range of Palmer’s real ales, lagers, ciders and wines.

Regent Cinema, Broad Street, Lyme Regis.

Plaza Cinema, Dorchester.

Bowling at Lakeside Superbowl, Weymouth.

Discover gruesome and grisly goings-on on a Ghost Walk around Bridport, or on the Lyme Regis Ghost Tour, and the Haunted Harbour Tour and Smuggling Tour in Weymouth.

On a more festive note (and we apologize for mentioning Christmas already!) for those of you planning a stay in December, there are Christmas festivals and late-night shopping in Bridport, and Dorchester.

Now that we’ve brought up the subject of Christmas, we’d like to remind you that we’re open all year round so please contact us to book accommodation in Dorset for Christmas. Our self-catering apartments are perfect for a cosy, fun-filled Christmas, and Dorset is a wonderful place to spend Christmas with your family and friends.

Dorset’s topography: something for everyone

Many people visit Dorset for its beautiful countryside and scenery, and we’re certainly blessed to have both countryside and coastline on our doorstep.

It’s no surprise that so many artists and authors have found such inspiration in Dorset and its people; and the wonderful variety of landscapes, and heritage and wildlife locations, means there’s always something different to see and always plenty of adventures and activities to choose from.

Dorset has approximately 140 kilometres of coastline offering a great choice of sandy beaches, plus of course the wonderfully unspoilt and pebbled expanse of Chesil Bank; as well as spectacular cliffs, the South West Coast Path, and many opportunities for aquatic sports and activities.

Over 40% of Dorset’s countryside has been formally designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, meaning that great lengths are gone to to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the different areas. Locations and landscapes covered by the designation include:

• Woods and coppices such as Bracketts Coppice, Little Giant Wood, Girdlers Coppice and Piddles Wood.


• Kingcombe Meadows


• Muckleford Chalk Pit


• Powerstock Common Reserves


• Lodmoor Nature Reserve


• Hartland Moor


• Cranborne Chase


• Poole Harbour


• Brownsea Island


• Lulworth Cove


• Lulworth Castle, Maiden Castle, the Cerne Giant, Forde Abbey, and the Kingston Russell Stones

If you’re considering visiting any of these wonderful landscapes this autumn, please contact us to book sustainable accommodation in Dorset. We know the local area well, and we are always happy to help you plan excursions and activities.

What’s on in Dorset: October

So, what happened to Autumn? J This mini ‘heatwave’ is a little out of character for September and October, but for many people in Dorset it’s a very welcome bonus at the end of the summer, and a perfect opportunity to get out and about and enjoy the warm sun and blue skies.

As always at the beginning of the month, we’re sharing a few of our suggestions for recommended activities and events in Dorset in October.

5th October – a performance by BBC award winning fiddle player and singer Tom McConville, and unique acoustic guitarist David Newey, at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.

7th to 9th October -Traditional Tunisian Souk Market, Saxon Square, Christchurch.10am to 5pm (with belly dancing on Saturday, between 2.30pm and 3pm). Enjoy a North African shopping experience and visit stalls selling unusual and interesting items such as Tunisian hand-made pots, carpets, ceramics, leather goods, glass, wicker baskets, spices and herbs and traditional and authentic foods.

7th to 9th October – Swanage Blues and Roots Festival. Free Admission to 50 gigs in 20 indoor venues. Open Mic daily, Electric Jam Sessions and Buskers.

8th October - Apple Day, Community Orchard, Bridport. Apple Day is a national celebration of orchards and apples and to celebrate the day Community Orchard will be the setting for apple games and activities for children, apple products to buy, a cake stall, cider and apple juice to taste and buy, as well as rural craft demonstrations, music, dancing and singing.

10th October - National Theatre Live - The Kitchen, The Electric Palace, Bridport. “Arnold Wesker’s extraordinary play premiered at the Royal Court in 1959 and has since been performed in over 30 countries. The Kitchen puts the workplace centre stage in a blackly funny and furious examination of life lived at breakneck speed, when work threatens to define who we are.”

15th to 16th October - Eat Dorset Food Fair, Parnham House, Beaminster. More than 50 local producers from Dorset and the surrounding counties gathered together to promote and sell a wonderfully diverse and highly regarded range of produce. Children’s activities include breadmaking, chocolate making and cake decorating.

16th and 30th October – Mountain Biking in Dorset. Organized by The Cumulus Crew: experienced mountain bikers with a wealth of technical knowledge as well as biking skills. Cycle and enjoy the countryside, or let the Crew put you through your paces and explore unusual tracks and trial various bike skills on tricky terrain.

20th to 23rd October - Sherborne International Film Festival. “Non English-speaking films are often overlooked and yet there are exceptional film directors and actors who transcend the accepted conventions of the English-speaking world and who can bring us fresh insights and startling discoveries that will enrich our senses.” The Sherborne International Film Festival brings some of these films into our midst: “to entertain, to inform and perhaps to astonish us!”

22nd to 30th October – Halloween Half Term Fun at Abbotsbury Children’s Farm.

22nd to 30th October - Spooky Stories at Portland Castle. Enjoy spooky Halloween tales and fun activities at Portland Castle during half-term week. “With 'fangtastic' Halloween games and devilish prizes to be won!”

25th and 27th October - Halloween Ghost Walks, Bridport. Candle lit walks on Bridport’s streets visiting spooky haunted locations. Walks start from Bucky Doo Square, South Street t 7.30pm. Adults £5; children (over 8 years old only) £2.50.

As always, the activities and events above are just a small sample from the many that Dorset has to offer. If you plan to visit Dorset for an autumn break, don’t forget to book accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. You can be sure of a warm friendly welcome, excellent service, and superb accommodation with amazing views. We look forward to hearing from you.