Wareham

Saxon walls still stand in this market town where the River Frome bends through ancient streets. Wareham feels properly old - not theme park medieval, but genuinely weathered by a thousand years of Dorset life. The town square fills with locals on market days, while the rest of the week it keeps a quieter pace that suits the grey stone perfectly.

Walk the Saxon ramparts that circle the old town and you'll get your bearings quickly. These earthwork defenses, raised against Viking raids, now offer lovely views across the Purbeck Hills. The town sits at the gateway to some of Dorset's finest countryside - Lulworth Castle and Park lies just south, while Coombe Heath Nature Reserve spreads northward through proper heathland dotted with gorse.

Lulworth Castle makes for a proper day out, especially if you fancy exploring the dramatic coastline at Lulworth Cove afterward. The castle grounds connect to miles of walking territory, including the climb up Whiteway Hill for cracking views over the Jurassic Coast. St Mary's Chapel, tucked away in the estate, rewards the short detour.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - Wareham sits right on the main London to Weymouth railway line, with regular services from Waterloo. The A351 runs straight through town if you're driving down from the M3.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring this corner of Dorset. You're within striking distance of both the dramatic Purbeck coastline and the quieter pleasures of the River Frome valley, with proper market town amenities right on your doorstep.