Dorset is a county of great beauty, a land of contrast and breathtaking scenery. Its coastline extends some 140 kilometers from Lyme Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east, and offers a selection of the finest sandy beaches to be found in the British Isles.
Dorset is frequently described as 'The Best of Both Worlds', for behind the varied coastline lies a county rich in archaeology, unspoilt rural villages and a countryside which contains rich,varied and rare habitat types. From before Roman times, Dorset has been a jewel in England's crown, and the evidence of forefathers is plentiful.
It's this county which was home to authors such as Jane Austen, William Barnes, and Thomas Hardy. The latter is probably Dorset's most famous son, immortalized the County town of Dorchester as 'Casterbridge'. His novels still attract thousands of visitors each year keen to see the real life settings for 'Far from the Madding Crowd', the 'Return of the Native', and of course 'The Mayor of Casterbridge'.