Summer has arrived at long last! But just like in 2020, if you’re hoping to get away for a few days, it’s looking like being a UK-based affair once more.  

Lockdowns and ongoing travel bans have all but ended any hopes of an exotic trip abroad, but here at WSG, we see this as a wonderful opportunity to visit some of the wonderful places the British Isles have to offer.

Dorset is one of the most idyllic places to visit in the UK, and for good reason. Famed for its fossil-filled Jurassic Coast, beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, there’s no wonder so many of us are flocking to one of the finest beauty spots in the country to catch a few summer rays and lap up some homegrown culture.  

We’ve picked out some of our favourite spots to visit in a county that serves up a feast of sights and sounds, plus some amazing food to enjoy along the way.   

Here’s why we reckon Dorset is the place to be for summer 2021!

Durdle Door:

The south-west of the UK is bursting with so many historical and natural sights, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start!

But without a doubt, Durdle Door located on the Jurassic Coat near Lulworth is not to be missed. You might have seen this natural limestone arch on picture perfect postcards and travel blog thumbnails, and it’s pretty easy to see why!

One of the most photographed spots in the surrounding area, this natural wonder is open to the public and makes for some fantastic Instagram opportunities. Try visiting at sunset to really capture the mood if you’re looking for that perfect snap, but popping down at any time of day is enough to take you breath away.      

The arch is thought around 140 million years old - standing at 120 metres high, it offers a unique sight that has even been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. 

Summer is a wonderful time of year to view this ancient spectacle, so don’t pass up the opportunity whilst you’re down here. It’s even been used in several music videos in the past, including Billy Ocean’s ‘Loverboy’ and Cliff Richard’s ‘Saviour’s Day’. 

Rick Stein's Sandbanks Restaurant:

Whilst spending all this time by the sea, it seems crazy not to tuck into some truly special seafood to mark the occasion!

Famed for his superb food and engaging on-screen personality, TV celebrity chef and restaurateur Rick Stein owns a fair few award-winning eateries around the south-east, one of his most recent ventures being Sandbanks Restaurant.

Open since 2015, this idyllic seafood restaurant offers a whole host of tastebud tinglers, from Roasted Monkfish Tail to Cornish Lobster, Pan-Fried Hake and Wild Turbot. The word fresh really doesn’t do this place justice!

Credit - @ricksteinrestaurants (Instagram)

Even if seafood isn’t your thing, how does Sri Lankan Cashew Nut Curry sound? Or surely you can’t go wrong with a classic 10oz Ribeye Steak? They even offer a takeaway service, with divine selections such as fish and chips (celebrity chef style!), Indonesian seafood curry and a scrumptious range of homemade desserts. Where do I sign up?!

If it’s panoramic views of Poole Harbour you’re after, along with superb service and award-winning food, Sandbanks is the place to be when planning a special meal out in Dorset.

They’re currently open every day for both indoor and outdoor dining. Just make sure you’ve got the NHS track & trace app downloaded to check in, and also note that they’re not currently accepting cash payments due to COVID safety measures. Bon appetit!     

Credit - @ricksteinrestaurants (Instagram)

The Conker Spirit Distillery:

You’d better make time for a tipple or two whilst you’re down here as well! “When in Rome”, as they say… Ok, so swap the Italian capital for South West England, but the principle remains that you shouldn’t feel guilty about treating yourself to some seriously good booze whilst you’re on holiday.

Gin fanatics, look alive! Launched in 2014, The Conker Spirit distillery is the first gin distillery in Dorset, and they’ve gained quite the loyal following (18.6k on Instagram, if you’re counting). Check out their Instagram page right here to have a gander at some of their fabulous concoctions.

Credit - @conkerspirit (Instagram)

What’s more, this summer they’re offering tours of the distillery for the first time ever. You’ll need to book online if we’ve got you tempted, but you’ll have to move fast as spaces are being snapped up as we speak. Tours cost £60.00 per head, with a maximum of twelve people allowed per group (as per government COVID guidelines).

These guys put pretty much about everything into their products, from the foraging to the distilling, the bottling to the labelling. If you’re a lover of homegrown produce that tastes amazing, The Conker Spirit will be right up your street.

One of their products even made it on to the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen cookery programme back in September of last year. Their Gin & Juice cocktail can was described as one of their favourite drinks of lockdown – you check out the video right here. Now that’s the spirit - cheers!     

Their online shop also has its fair share of gin-tastic offerings, as you’d expect. They even sell their own self-produced hand-sanitiser, so if you fancy some designer hand gel, you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Credit - @conkerspirit (Instagram)

Check Out Our Hackney Chairs!

Finally, we’ll wrap things up with a touch of shameless self-promotion…

Back in March, a five-star country inn located in the gorgeous Dorset-based village of Charlton Horethorne shared the love for our buffalo leather and metal Hackney Dining Chairs. So much so, in fact, that they decked out their entire dining room with them! The Kings Arms Country Hotel couldn’t help but shout about our luxury offerings, (who can blame them?) as you can see in the images below.

Credit - @thekingsarmscharltonhorethorne (Instagram)

Credit - @thekingsarmscharltonhorethorne (Instagram)

If you’re looking for a luxurious place to rest your head and fuel up during your trip, look no further. They’re open and available for bookings, so check them out if you fancy somewhere special to call home whilst you’re down here. We can certainly recommend their choice in furniture too!  

Dorset is just one of many superb locations that the UK has to offer, so making the most of our current travel restrictions and finding a wealth of hidden gems scattered across our isles is certainly in vogue right now.

Supporting British businesses is also a great way of giving something back after such a hard time we’ve all faced during the various lockdowns of the past fifteen months.

These are just a few highlights we’ve chosen to promote, but there’s a whole host of fantastic places out there, just waiting for you to unearth their magic this summer.

We hope that you’ve found this travel blog useful, and we’ll see you all soon, Saints.

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