Bridport

Saturday mornings here mean one thing: the famous markets that have drawn traders since the 13th century. Bridport remains proper old-school Dorset - rope-making capital of England for centuries, where the hemp trade built those wide Georgian streets you see today. The town sits just inland from the dramatic Jurassic Coast, all golden limestone cliffs and fossil beaches.

West Bay, Bridport's seaside arm, lies barely two miles south. Those towering sandstone cliffs made it perfect for ITV's Broadchurch, though locals will tell you the real drama happens when summer crowds descend on the tiny harbour. The beach itself is all pebbles, but the fish and chips are decent.

Inland, the countryside rolls away in proper Thomas Hardy fashion - he knew this patch well. St Candida & Holy Cross dominates the town centre, one of Dorset's finest medieval churches with a tower you can spot for miles. Foxdown Children's Farm makes a good shout for families, while Artwave West showcases local talent in a converted Victorian building.

Getting here proves straightforward enough. The A35 runs right past, connecting Bridport to Dorchester and the M3 corridor. No railway station these days - the old line closed decades back - but regular buses link to Dorchester and Weymouth.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring both coast and countryside. You're within easy reach of Lyme Regis to the west, the fossil-rich beaches around Charmouth, and those walking trails that wind along England's most dramatic coastline. Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast, rises just east of town - the views from up there stretch clear to Devon on a good day.