Hot air ballooning in Dorset

Dorset’s spectacular coastline and beautiful countryside offers not only the chance for amazing walks and days out, but also some truly amazing views over sea and countryside.

Take a trip to Golden Cap (the highest point on the Jurassic Coast); the Iron Age hill fort at Eggardon; Pilsdon Pen which is only 30 metres short of being a mountain and has views over the Marshwood Vale landscape; or Ballard Down with its views over the Dorset Heaths, Poole Harbour and Old Harry Rocks - and you’ll see just what we mean.

To get a bird’s eye view of some of Dorset’s wonderful viewpoints and scenery why not try something a little different and take a trip in a hot air balloon?

Aerosaurus Balloons offers balloon flights from Sherborne and Shaftesbury, flying within the Crewkerne / Bruton / Warminster / Blandford area. The flight from Sherborne takes you over medieval buildings, the Abbey, the famous historic Sherborne Castle built by Sir Walter Raleigh, views of unspoilt heathland, the river Store and the Blackmore Vale.

The flights from Shaftesbury offer views of Shaftesbury’s famous steep cobbled Gold Hill (used in the Hovis bread advertisements), rolling countryside, the breathtaking Blackmore Vale, the Fovant Badges and across to the West Wiltshire Downs.

On both flights you can often see Weston Super Mare and The Severn Bridge to the north, Poole and Bournemouth to the southeast and Chesil Beach and Lyme Bay to the south.

Whether you choose to explore Dorset’s wonderful views on foot or by balloon, Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located. A warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset awaits you this summer, so why not contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

Seven family days out for half term

If you’re looking for something to do over this coming half term, here are a few suggestions from the many activities that Dorset has to offer – whatever the weather.

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, near Poole, Dorset: a fun-filled day whatever the weather with a mix indoor and outdoor play and hands-on activities.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest 10 miles north of Bournemouth. “At Moors Valley there is something for everyone…whether you want to enjoy a peaceful walk or cycle ride through the Forest, experience a ride on an authentic narrow-gauge steam train or even Go Ape on a high wire forest adventure swinging through the tree tops.”

Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester. “The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is Dorchester's unmissable family museum with Edward Bear and his family of people-sized bears in Teddy Bear House. From the earliest antique teddy bears, to today's TV favourites, they are all waiting to greet you in this enchanting Teddy Bear Museum. Open seven days a week.”

Brownsea Island Nature Reserve has diverse habitats & wildlife, including a red squirrel population.  The reserve is leased from the National Trust and situated in Poole Harbour with a large sheltered lagoon; particularly important for overwintering & summer breeding birds.  Spend the day exploring its flooded woodland, lakes, reed bed & pine woods. Open daily 10am till 5pm.


Corfe Castle model village and gardens - Corfe Castle itself was destroyed by Cromwell’s troops during the Civil War but at Corfe Castle Model Village you can step back in time to the year 1646 and see the castle and ancient village faithfully restored at 1/20th scale.

Swanage Railway  an award-winning standard gauge preserved steam railway. Visitors can experience a unique journey through six miles of beautiful scenery passing the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle.


Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Wareham, Dorset, assists governments around the world to stop the smuggling of primates from the wild. Refugees of this illegal trade, as well as those that have suffered abuse or neglect, are rehabilitated into natural living groups. You can see gibbons, chimpanzees, orang-utans, woolly monkeys, marmosets, tamarins, and many more.

Dorset is a fabulous place for a half-term holiday, with lots of activities and days out to choose from. To book your family-friendly and eco-friendly half-term holiday in Dorset, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming your family to Chesil Beach Lodge.

Jurassic Coast Earth Festival

The Jurassic Coast Earth Festival 2012 promises to be an exciting and inspiring celebration of England’s only natural World Heritage Site – the 95 miles of truly stunning coastline between Exmouth and Swanage. 

From May to September there’s a wide range of fascinating and inspiring events to take part in “that fuse science with art to give us a new way of seeing where we fit into the history of time”.

Here’s just a taste of what’s on offer…

Have a Go at stone masonry at the Lulworth Heritage Centre. Work with Anna Bowen to design and carve your own work of art from a small piece of Jurassic stone. Attend one of four half-day sessions, all tools provided. Open to all the family; minimum age 10.

Dawn Chorus Breakfast at Axe Estuary Wetlands - a guided walk around the nature reserve to hear the melodic and sometimes haunting sounds of our spring songsters.

Jurassic Coast family fun days - three days of free family activities at the Salt House in West Bay. You can work on a large scale piece of art with a community artist, and enjoy lots of craft activities to discover more about your natural environment.

Focus on Fossils photography workshop - Ben Osborne (Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007) will brief you before taking you along the Jurassic Coast at Lyme to photograph the stunning cliffs and limestone pavements embedded with large ammonites.

Rock Around the Coast - a series of walks offering an exceptional opportunity to learn about the unique geology, spectacular landforms, diverse wildlife and rich history of the Jurassic Coast, and the people that work to preserve and promote it.

26 and 7 Bones – Sue Palmer and Sally Watkins investigate how a range of people, working along the Jurassic seaboard use their hands and feet to engage or connect with their immediate surroundings and the broader landscape. These include: a blacksmith, hedge-layer, herbalist, coastguard, archaeologist, free-diver, foot surgeon, sculptor, embroiderer and runner.

Landance - a large scale participatory project working with individuals and youth and community groups in West Dorset, and culminating in spectacular contemporary dance performances at the iron age hill fort at Eggardon Hill.

Haven’s Big Green Weekend at Sandy Bay, Exmouth - celebrate wildlife, the natural environment and all things ‘Eco’ with a range of green activities brought to you by representatives from the local Wildlife Trust and other organisations. Events include guided wildlife walks, stalls showcasing local produce and arts and crafts. You can also find out how to have a greener holiday, and take part in fossil rubbing orienteering!

For more details, and for the full programme of events, please see the Earth Festival website.

Here at Chesil Beach Lodge we offer a choice of delightful and sustainable bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast, and within easy travelling distance of many fantastic Earth Festival events.

Please contact us for more details, or to book accommodation.

A local attraction: Nothe Fort

Built between 1860 and 1872, Nothe Fort is one of Britain’s finest Victorian forts. Located at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour it offers visitors spectacular views over the picturesque harbour and the Jurassic Coast.
The fort is built on three levels and has a labyrinth of underground passageways that are filled with displays, enormous guns, and cinema areas that chart the history of the fort. Although the fort has a long history it did not play an active role against an enemy until World War 2 when Britain faced the dangers of attack from the air.
On alternate Sundays throughout the year visitors to the fort can also see the Nothe Fort Artillery in full artillery uniforms and watch their musketry and firing skills.

According to legend the fort has a resident ghost and in 2007 the fort was voted one of the spookiest locations in the UK. So don’t forget to keep a look out for the ghost of the whistling gunner while you’re finding your way around the labyrinth of passage ways – even staff members sometimes refuse to go to some areas of the fort on their own!

A visit to the fort is a great day out for all the family. Ramps and lifts have been installed for those with mobility problems. The site has a shop, WW2 canteen, the newly refurbished Gun Deck Restaurant, and picnic areas with wonderful views. Dogs are welcome providing they are kept on a lead and supervised at all times.
Summer opening times: open daily from 31st March to 31st October, 10:30am to 5:30pm.

Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located as a base to explore Dorset’s fascinating history and heritage. Our accommodation has spectacular sea views from every room and we can guarantee you a very warm welcome. Please contact us to book accommodation in Dorset – we very much look forward to seeing you here.

What’s on in Dorset: May

Welcome to a rather wet and windy May! We hope April wasn’t too much of a wash-out for you. It’s hard to believe that much of England has been given official drought status over the past few weeks.

We’ll be posting some suggestions for half-term activities later in the month and until then here’s our usual pick of what’s on in May in Dorset.

4th to 6th May The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival - in a full programme of activities you’ll be able to meet scientists from the Natural History Museum, sieve for sharks’ teeth (and keep what you find!); see the giant mechanised Jurrasic sea lizard that’s touring Dorset this summer, and join Onboard for a highly entertaining ‘flight’ with Jurassic Airlines along the Dorset and East Devon coastline and through hyperspace to other spectacular World Heritage Sites. The Fossil Festival programme offers much more so we highly recommend looking at the programme of events on their website.

4th to 7th May - Flower Festival at St. Mary’s Church, Beaminster, to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Telephone 01308 862876 or email a.barham1957@btinternet.com for more information.

4th to 8th May Sherborne Abbey Music Festival presents another wonderful series of musical events this year, including artists Lesley Garrett and Emma Johnson appearing together in a specially devised programme for the soprano voice. You can also see the Tallis Scholars, Bath Camerata and Francesco Attesti.

6th May - Dorset Knob Throwing and Frome Valley Food Festival at Cattistock, near Dorchester, 10am-4pm. Adults £2 Under 12s Free. Lots of family fun and entertainment with demonstrations and contests.

12th May Dorchester Arts presents Blues / American with Bill Sheffield and Dave Saunders. This live concert contains elements of many genres: blues, folk, country and gospel – “honest, gutsy, passionate, an evening orchestrated by Bill promises to be an unforgettable musical experience”.

25th to 27th May - Lyme Regis Jazz, Blues and Beer Festival promises great music, terrific food and friendly people.  “So if you haven’t been before, make 2012 the year you boogie on down to Dorset for friendly hospitality and a relaxing, foot tapping (and maybe even some dancing!) weekend.

26th May to 10th June Dorset Art Weeks: a chance to view and purchase some wonderful examples of sculptures, furniture and woodcrafts, paintings and drawings, jewellery, and photography.

If you plan to visit our beautiful county for your next holiday, please book your accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. We have a range of luxurious bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation available for bookings, and we look forward to welcoming you and your family to Dorset.