Bredy Farm

Working dairy farms don't usually welcome casual visitors, but Bredy Farm near Bridport has carved out a reputation among walkers for its excellent footpath network. The public rights of way here thread through proper countryside - rolling pastures where cattle graze and hedgerows burst with blackberries come autumn.

Families staying at nearby West Bay Holiday Park or Freshwater Beach will find this a lovely contrast to the coast. The farm sits in the Bride Valley, and the footpaths offer gentle walks suitable for pushchairs on the lower routes, though some of the hill climbs get properly steep. Kids enjoy spotting the farm animals, though don't expect any organised activities - this is countryside in the raw.

Best tackled in the morning when the light catches the valley just right. The paths can get muddy after rain, so boots are essential. Allow a couple of hours if you're planning to walk the full circuit that takes you up onto the higher ground with views back towards the coast.

It's not a destination in itself, but makes a cracking addition to a Dorset holiday based around Bridport. Combine it with the beaches at West Bay for a proper taste of what this part of the county offers - working farmland meeting dramatic coastline.