Dorchester
As the county town of Dorset, Dorchester has a wide range of shops, cafes and restaurants to explore – many of which are independently owned, however, you are sure to find a few high-street brands across Dorchester’s many streets! What’s more, Dorchester is only a 45-minute drive away from Swanage – however, if you don’t feel like driving there are also plenty of fantastic bus links to Dorchester too!
Things To Do In Dorchester
From browsing the shops to sipping on a refreshing coffee in one of the local cafes – there are plenty of things to see and do in Dorchester! On dreaded rainy days, visitors can make the most of their day trip by watching a film in one of the two cinemas in Dorchester (either the Odeon or the locally owned Plaza Cinema). Alternatively, why don’t you time your visit to Dorchester with a performance at The Corn Exchange? The Corn Exchange hosts a wide selection of shows, performances and events throughout the year – so it’s definitely worth checking out what’s on prior to your visit!
Shopping in Dorchester
Dorchester is home to a multitude of fantastic businesses – providing an excellent opportunity for a shopping trip! With a fantastic mix of both independent and chain shops, you are sure to find the perfect memento to remember your holiday in Dorset!
For a sweet present for a loved one, we highly recommend popping into Cranbornes for a delightful selection of gifts, cards, jewellery, cuddly toys and accessories for both men, women and children! If you’re looking to stock up on your groceries for your caravan or holiday home, Dorchester also has plenty of supermarkets including Waitrose, Co-Op and Tesco as well as local delis and grocers including The Fridge and Mina’s Deli.

Historic Towns in Dorset
Dorchester has plenty of links to Dorset’s rich tapestry of Roman and Celtic heritage! If you’re looking to learn more about Dorchester’s history, you can always visit The Shire Hall Museum and The Dorset Museum to browse a selection of fantastic artefacts including dinosaur bones, fossils, Roman coins, skeletons and so much more! If it’s a pleasant day outside, we recommend that you take a walk through Dorchester and spend a moment looking at all the Roman influences throughout this Dorset Town! Such historic monuments in Dorchester include the Dorchester Roman Town House, Maiden Castle and Maumbury Rings!
Restaurants and Cafes in Dorchester
Dorchester has a wide selection of restaurants and cafes to choose from! No matter whether you’re looking for a perfect spot to enjoy a family meal, or you’re looking for a restaurant with vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options – you’re sure to find the perfect bite to eat in Dorchester! You’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafes dotted throughout the town, however, we recommend heading to Brewery Square which is truly Dorchester’s hub for restaurants! Here you will find plenty of large restaurants including, Wagamamas, Lucciano’s, Hubbox, Côte, DRGNFLY, and Pizzaexpress as well as a few cocktail, wine and cider bars.
Flickr – Photo Credit (cattan2011)
Family-Friendly Holiday Park in Swanage
Ulwell Holiday Park is ideally placed in the countryside of Swanage, which provides guests with convenient access to and from local towns and attractions – such as Dorchester! Our family-friendly and dog-friendly campsite has a wide selection of accommodation options to choose from, including luxury holiday homes, caravan and motorhome pitches, camping pitches and even a rustic glamping pod!
To secure your camping holiday in Swanage, you can book your accommodation at Ulwell Holiday Park online or by calling our friendly reception team at 01929 422823.