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All you need to know
Bridport is well known for its lively cafés, bars and restaurants serving exceptional local produce, and for its picturesque harbour and beaches at West Bay.
The attractive Georgian market town of Bridport, set in the heart of Dorset’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is renowned for its abundance of independent shops and art galleries, thriving cafés, bars and restaurants serving exceptional locally produced food and drink, and its lively music, art and literary scene.
Whether you enjoy spending your holiday browsing market stalls and quirky shops, indulging in a mouth-watering cream tea, or people-watching over a leisurely coffee - this charming town won’t disappoint.
Less than 2 miles away lies Bridport’s picturesque harbour, West Bay, which offers access to the world-famous Jurassic Coast. Here, you’ll find an assortment of pubs and restaurants, two excellent sandy beaches, a marina, and of course breathtaking coastal views.
If you’re feeling active, West Bay is perfect for a spot of fishing, walking, bathing and rock pooling. Or if you’d rather take it easy, unwind over tea and cake in one of the harbour’s delightful tea rooms. West Bay is also the setting for the popular ITV drama Broadchurch, where you will recognise many landmarks from the show.
Bridport and West Bay are ideally positioned for exploring the stunning Jurassic coastline. Why not try your luck at fossil hunting to see if you can uncover an ancient relic or two, or take a stroll along the glorious South West Coast Path to blow away the cobwebs and take in the magnificent views.
Nearby popular attractions include the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and the Lyme Regis Aquarium, and if you fancy a day at the beach, you'll be spoilt for choice on this pretty stretch of Dorset coastline. Some of our favourite family-friendly options include both West Bay beaches, Cobb beach in Lyme Regis, Charmouth beach and Weymouth beach.
A holiday cottage in either Bridport or West Bay provides the perfect base from which to enjoy the delights of a vibrant market town, whilst staying close to the coast to easily indulge in your favourite seaside activities - making for a most memorable Dorset holiday.
Home to the Colfox family, the Symondsbury estate is set in beautiful Dorset countryside within a few miles of the Jurassic Coast, a world heritage site with unspoilt beaches and fabulous coastal walks. Here you'll find the Symondsbury Kitchen, the perfect spot for a bite to eat, the Symondsbury store which stocks a range of interesting local produce, a Home & Garden store, and various other boutique shops. There are also events held on the estate throughout the year including live music, open farm Sundays, workshops and more. Check the website for details.
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This is a lovely spot to stop for a bite and a drink with free parking. There is an excellent selection of local produce on sale plus homeware and fashion. You can ascend Colmers Hill nearby which is a wonderful vantage point for this beautiful area.
October 2021
A lovely place to visit, nice boutiques and little shops. Well worth a visit.
April 2023
So good went back twice. Pub also very dog friendly.
September 2023
Very pretty courtyard now developed into unique shops and cafe, serving fresh and delicious food. Just go slowly along the pot-holed driveway!
October 2023
Be blown away by a range of multi award-winning boat trips from West Bay. From exciting, fast paced trips to sightseeing cruises, private hire and watersports options, there are trips to suit all tastes and budgets
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Three of us did the 15 minute rib blaster and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were well looked after and it was thrilling and safe at the same time. Highly recommended.
August 2021
Good food and friendly staff at the Blue Ball, Sidford I,ts a bit further out but worth it?
April 2022
We had a fabulous time on the rib ride. Staff were friendly and helpful, explaining safety procedures well and making the ride really exciting. Would recommend.
September 2022
Bridport is the oldest golf club in Dorset, celebrating their 125th anniversary in 2016 but enjoying modern facilities catering to the 21st century golfer. Located on the Jurassic coastline, the views stretch across Lyme Bay and along Chesil Beach to Portland. The 6213 yard, cliff top links style golf course is a challenging but fair test for all abilities and can be played on all year round.
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The West Bay Discovery Centre offers a fascinating insight into the area’s history with interactive displays charting the area’s journey from its shipbuilding past, through centuries of the local fishing industry to the development of tourism today. The centre also provides up to date information on what’s on in West Bay and Bridport, along with gifts and souvenirs to buy. Check the website for further details and opening times.
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Good displays of the litter problems, very good for children to understand
September 2021
Great little museum - lots of interesting local information presented in very accessible formats. Free, but donation appreciated.
October 2023
A 17th century water mill, artist’s studios, craft centre, tea room and museum set in a peaceful valley on the river Manger with beautiful riverside walks nearby. ‘Maria’s Pantry’ serves breakfast, light lunches, cream teas and homemade cakes in beautiful surroundings overlooking the mill pond.
Mangerton Mill, Mangerton Lane, Bridport DT6 3SG (T: 01308 485224)
Lovely quaint place for lunch or afternoon tea. Need to order afternoon tea 24 hours beforehand. Old water mill with a few studios to visit
May 2021
Very pretty, did riverside walk as weather was beautiful. Highly recommend
October 2021
Really lovely place to visit. Excellent cream tea!
August 2023
Beautiful location and setting for a walk around the grounds. Cakes expectional.
September 2023
There has been an inn on this site since the 13th century but it has been bought right up to date by Wetherspoons with a modern interior, extensive menu, licenced outdoor area and TV screens showing live news and sporting events.
The Greyhound 2 East St, Bridport DT6 3LF (T: 01308 421905)
Lovely Friday pub
January 2019
Visit Bellas for freshly baked baguettes, quiches and salads and a fabulous choice of cakes displayed in the window.
Bellas 7 South Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NR (T: 01308 424343)
In a great location in the centre of town with a smart interior, beer garden and plenty of seating, The Market House has something for everyone on the menu. Coffees, cakes, breakfasts are on offer for the early birds and the full menu is served from midday complimented by an extensive range of drinks
The Market House 17 West St, Bridport DT6 3QN (T: 01308 459669)
We visited here for Sunday roast,didn't think food was that good,roast potatoes were as if they had been reheated meat was fatty,we all left most of our food,my husband had gammon egg and chips which looked nicer than we had until he found 2 hairs ,needless to say we wouldn't go back,they were told and they did knock the gammon egg and chips off the bill. There are many good reviews so we probably were just unfortunate.
July 2017
Market House provides excellent food in pleasant surroundings. The scampi is to die for .....succulent and plenty of it . Fish pie is also delicious
May 2018
Lovely welcome, brilliant food. Perfect!
November 2021
We had a fabulous carvery meal there.
May 2022
Very friendly staff, excellent lunchtime food. Dog friendly, with a very nice garden.
July 2022
A surprisingly spacious pub stretching back from the street to a pretty courtyard area. Expect good quality food, a well-stocked bar and a friendly atmosphere, especially on the Friday and Saturday live music nights.
The Ropemakers 36 West St, Bridport DT6 3QP (T: 01308 421255)
Lovely dog friendly pub where we enjoyed a lovely meal.
May 2018
Good mdeat raffkle but over priced beer.
August 2018
We ate at The Ropemakers one evening - it was excellent quality and a fair price, staff were very friendly and helpful and there was live music which was excellent. On another occasion when we visited for just a drink there was live music again which was just as good - the genre was very different each time but equally enjoyable and it created a great atmosphere.
September 2018
A very interesting public house with lots of character.
February 2019
Nice food, good atmosphere
November 2019
Interesting pub with a good atmosphere and great live music on the Friday I was there. Can't rate food as we didn't eat there.
January 2020
friendly atmosphere, locals welcoming, good bands
August 2021
Excellent Palmers pub with good choice of food.
June 2023
Good atmosphere here especially on a live music night
August 2023
A proper pub. Good food and local beers. Warm welcome.
November 2023
A real gem of a restaurant, great for families and groups, serving tapas-style delicious East Asian cuisine using British produce. Limited seating so worth booking ahead.
Dorshi Bartholomews Hall, 6 Chancery Ln, Bridport DT6 3PX (T: 01308 423221)
Delicious food and cocktails! Highly recommend
September 2021
Under the golden glow of the majestic sandstone cliffs and the Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the south coast, West Bay Beach (made famous by the popular drama series Broadchurch) is in the south of the historic market town of Bridport. At the western end of Chesil Beach, the area forms part of the Dorset Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site within Lyme Bay and is a wonderful location for family holidays. Bridport Town is a short bus ride away or a very pleasant 20-minute walk. The beach itself is shingle, sand and pebbles with steep shelving, a slipway and a harbour. There’s an auxiliary coastguard and lifeguards at your service, toilets, disabled toilets and a beachside refreshment kiosk. Nearby activities include kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, swimming surfing and jet skiing. There are also car parks close by and while dogs are banned from May to September, they are allowed out of the summer season.
we loved West Bay very much did not eat at any of the restuarants there apart from the George Hotel (one night) as Gluten Free options were either poor choices or non existant.
July 2017
Lovely place to wonder around. Great relaxing beach to stroll along brilliant view of the cliffs. Easy parking. Fish and chips from the Seasider chippie went there twice in the week. really tasty.
August 2018
Lovely walk, bit strenuous climbing up Golden Cap, buts it’s worth it ! However there is an easier route too.
September 2018
Lovely to stroll along the top of the dune which is compacted, easy to walk on and accessible from either the pier or the road beside the Visitor Centre. Wonderful views.
October 2023
A fine shingle beach with sand at the water’s edge, East Cliff Beach is a beautiful place to spend the day with the family on summer holidays in Dorset. There’s lifeguard cover from July to September in the summer holidays on East Beach itself, but that doesn’t really cover East Cliff Beach, so just be careful when and where you swim and stay away from the cliff base to avoid falling stones. There’s a long stay car park behind East Beach and a smaller short stay car park just before entering the harbour area in front of the Bridport Arms Hotel. Toilets are located at the main West Bay Road car park and baby changing facilities are provided as well. Dogs are permitted on the beach all year round, but it is a clean zone that’s regularly patrolled by wardens imposing fines, so don’t forget to clean up after your pets!
I really enjoyed this side looking at interesting stone formations. The beach 'shelving' has to be looked out for if you are paddling and it is better to wait until very low tide so that you can see where bits rise and fall.
April 2018
We walked from Lyme Regis to Charmouth across this beach at low tide. MUST be low tide. It was a super walk, a bit challenging in places as we had climb over rocks. The dog absolutely loved it.
October 2018
A small pebble beach close to the historic market town of Bridport, Eype Beach is a steep shelved beach (Eype means ‘steep place’) with beautiful views of the West Dorset coast. Dogs are permitted all year round and refreshments are available at Lower Eype. The beach is part of one of the most beautiful little villages in the area, where buildings can be traced back to the late 18th century. Consisting of Lower Eype and Higher Eype, it’s the lower part of the village that has access to the beach, which also boasts the magnificent Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the south coast at 191-metres above sea level. The beach is favoured by swimmers and fishing fans as well as avid fossil hunters, and there is parking nearby for a few cars as well as toilets and a pub.
Very narrow single track access road with limited passing places. Would not recommend purely due to access difficulties.
June 2017
Narrow access. Park at the top for free and walk down to the church and carry on down via a path.
September 2023
A National Trust beach in Burton Bradstock, Hive Beach is part of an estate that forms one of the main gateways to the Jurassic Coast and the South West Coast Path. Around it are beautiful cliff top walks, and surrounded by the sandstone cliffs, Hive Beach perfect for visiting families. Made of shingle, it forms part of the larger Chesil Beach and is on a World Heritage Site that has the largest shingle ridge in the world. The nearby Burton Cliff is an example of extraordinary geology in the area, which appears to glow bright gold in the sunlight. Perfect for picnics, the beach has a car park and toilets nearby, linked to the Hove Beach Café which specializes in serving fish. From 1st June to the end of September there are restrictions for dogs on the beach, but they are welcome on at least part of it all year round.
Beautiful, calm & perfect for dog walks
April 2018
Beautiful beach, great for dog walking and connects with the South Coast Path.
September 2018
Absolutely stunning - it's a must do 30 minute walk along the beach.
August 2021
A National Trust beach, Cogden is a little known, secluded sand and shingle beach that comes complete with a members’ car park. It has a wonderful sense of feeling remote but being surprisingly easy to access – the bus even stops there! There aren’t any facilities, but it’s a beautiful setting, and in truth, the lack of goings on is part of its charm. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round and it’s a haven for walkers looking to explore the area with the National Trust’s two mile/one-hour circular walk passing through it from flower-filled farmland, past ground nesting birds and along this striking section of the Jurassic Coast, known for having the largest shingle ridge in the world.
There's a lovely 2 mile circular walk through the fields from the NT car park - through late spring and early summer orchids are to be found
May 2017
Fabulous quiet dog friendly beach
August 2023