Dorset is the UK's Jewel in the Crown

Dorset is still considered Britain's crown jewel destination, as it offers holidaymakers so much beauty and diversity thanks to its forests, meadows and the dramatic Jurrassic coastline. It's coastline alone covers 140 kilometers of shore offering sweeping beaches, heady white cliffs, ambrosia downs, fossil rich havens and countless nature reserves.

It stretches from Lyme Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east and is dotted with some beach destinations that easily rival the best of those on the Continent. Some of the most popular include Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Lyme Regis, Swanage and Weymouth.

Apart from being archaeologically famous for its Jurrassic history, this award winning World Heritage Coast is filled with incredible contrasting natural beauty and historic coastal villages and towns. Since well before the Roman era Dorset has been revered for its idyllic and beautifully varied landscape. Its epic coastline begins in Poole's stunning natural harbour, one of the biggest in the world. It passes through Purbeck's pristine nature reserves, idyllic countryside and fascinating marine parks that teem with wildlife. All this is overlooked by Weymouth, one of Britain's most loved beachside resorts. It continues west taking in the nature reserve of Chesil Bank, a 30km long beach that stretches from Weymouth to Bridport on Portland's beautiful peninsular. Then it hits Abbotsbury Swannery, an artist's, photographer's and filmmaker's paradise; and last but not least it ends at the gorgeous resorts of West Bay and Lyme Regis.

Dorset's resorts are just as varied as its topography, for example there is the grand and established Weymouth that buzzes with happy families enjoying all the bells and whistles on offer. Here the busy harbour and huge expanse of golden sand is lined with promenades and esplanades offering an endless choice of entertainment, attractions, shops and eateries. Weymouth also happens to be surrounded by a number of other incredibly beautiful destinations, including Purbeck's various nature reserves to the east, Portland to the south and Chesil Beach nature reserve to the west.

But if you're looking for a compact, quaint and quintessentially English resort then elegant Lyme Regis will not fail to delight you and your family. Not only is the surrounding countryside and coastal area filled with colour and contrasts, but the town's cultural activities and social scene is really vibrant too.

Next-door West Bay offers an up-market hippy chic affair but the beach holds a unique natural and wild allure that many adore. It has something to do with its great wall of golden cliffs and the fact that West Bay beach has escaped the commercial development that many others have laid victim to. And because it is only a few steps away from Lyme Regis's bustling holiday scene, there is always plenty of action for those who want 'proper entertainment'.

Dorset owes its charm to the many historic towns and villages, especially the maritime ports of Poole and Bournemouth, spectacular as much for their architecture, culture and history as for their impressive waterscapes. Bournemouth's Pier and Pavilion is matched by Poole's Art Centre and natural harbour, which is still being contested as the largest in the world. Within this harbour also lies Brownsea Island, a nature lover’s paradise. Both Poole and Bournemouth have fabulous sparkling marinas and waterfronts that throng with cafes and bars, and if you like a little cosmopolitan vibe with your beach holiday then these two grand towns offer plenty of fun making them ideal for large groups. There is such variety in cultural and leisure activities thanks to theaters, exhibitions, museums, historic sites and entertainment complexes, all at the visitor's disposal.

But the smaller coastal towns are just as worthy of a visit, especially Christchurch and Swanage, two grand traditional seaside destinations set within breathtaking scenery and fringed with some lovely lengthy beaches. For instance, Swanage, a Victorian gem with an idyllic award-winning bay that lies within the protective arms of two headlands along the Purbeck Heritage Coast. This is the perfect base from which to explore some of Dorset's most picturesque beaches including the famous and romantic Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and the four-mile long beach at Studland National Nature Reserve some of which are dog friendly and offer a great range of pets welcome Dorset cottages. But these are just some of the beaches that adorn this un-miss able chunk of Dorset's dramatic, rugged shores. Christchurch also offers another set of must sea water fronts, starting with its very own natural harbour which benefits from the confluence of two rivers, the Stour and the Avon. This makes for such a varied and lush landscape, accented by Christchurch's stylish period architecture.

Last, but by no means least is Portland, a kind of 'isle' or peninsular, dubbed as the 'Explorer's Island' or the 'Adventure's Island' due to its Olympic hosting, historic and legendary folklore and its roster of water sports on offer. Nature buffs also crowd to this isle for its spectacular geology and rare wildlife watching opportunities.

There are so many more destinations that should be mentioned here including Charmouth, the Isle of Purbeck, Broadmayne and Langton Herring, each with their very own fascinating character and curious combination of natural and manmade attractions, not to mention all the many opportunities to engage in exciting memorable outdoor activities, watersports and boating tours. The Dorset coast is definitely somewhere that everyone should experience at some point, especially considering the many beach cottages in Dorset available for rent ranging from large group beach houses to apartments for couples on the beachfront.