Bridport, in the heart of Dorset, where old buildings populate the high street, and rolling hills paint a picturesque backdrop, as a weekend getaway has a great deal of timeless charm. There were quaint bookshops, fine dining, a rich history and natural beauty to explore.
Wandering through the historic high street of Bridport, I was drawn to the steep little hill in the distance that was topped with distinctive trees on its summit. It was a view we enjoyed from afar and over the course of the weekend also able to visit, near the Symondsbury Estate. Once the hill had been climbed the vantage point gave us a spectacular view of the surrounding lush landscape of Dorset.
Wandering through the historic high street of Bridport, I was drawn to the steep little hill in the distance that was topped with distinctive trees on its summit. It was a view we enjoyed from afar and over the course of the weekend also able to visit, near the Symondsbury Estate. Once the hill had been climbed the vantage point gave us a spectacular view of the surrounding lush landscape of Dorset.
Towards the outskirts of the town we came across an area referred to as the town's breathing space that contained the Millennium Green and a venerable old Lucombe Oak. While just outside the town and in easy reach, we found the local beach, which in combination meant a weekend of both seaside and countryside.
From our base in Bridport, we drove to Lyme Regis, which was a fascinating seaside resort with an interesting collection of independent shops on narrow roads and on a very steep hillside. We also visited the iconic Durdle Door and passed the equally iconic Dorset landmark of Chesil Beach along the B-road.
Just behind the high street we followed the trail to Millennium Green. As dusk fell, warm evening sunlight highlighted a gate in a break through the trees. Beyond the woodland track we emerged at the bottom of Coneygar Hill where stands a three hundred year old Lucombe oak.
During the weekend we took a trip an hour further west to Axminster and by mistake we stopped at River Cottage. We thought the River Cottage Canteen was located at River Cottage and didn't realise they were at entirely separate locations. However, before we got back in the car I was glad to take a peek around the bend down the country road to catch a glimpse of River Cottage, looking just as idyllic in real life as it seems on tv.
In Lyme Regis we found an old mill with shops run by craftspeople where we bought a glazed bowl direct from the potter, Harry Anderson, who makes his pottery on site at The Town Mill Pottery. As we wound our way up and down the hill at Lyme Regis we found a shop that we loved called Ryder and Hope on Broad Street that sold beautiful colourful bouquets made by a local florist.
Back in Bridport we worked how to access the picturesque hill and headed to Symondsbury Estate, which we found to be a little haven of calm with a neatly self-contained destination, offering self-catering accommodation, a cafe, shop, cycle hire and a very large home and garden store in its tithe barn.
To begin our climb up Colmers Hill we found the path around to the right of the Estate's car park and en route, we spotted in the distance a cottage that wouldn't have looked out of place on the pages of a fairy tale. We made it to the top where sat amongst the Caledonian Pines for a moment of blissful peace admiring the view.
We were lucky to fit in a little fine dining to our trip with a late booking at a truly unique restaurant. The evening was marked by the most friendly service and a very tasty fish of the day, the sea bream was truly delicious.
My Welsh One decided to order the supremely decadent lobster and steak combo and loved it all. The interior was a fun mix of kitsch and railway station waiting room memorabilia. The Station Kitchen did not disappoint and is well worth seeking out, but make sure you book in advance, ask for a table on the train!
On the way back to Brighton we drove along the B-road that hugs the coast, and it was such a treat to see the spectacular Chesil Beach stretch off into the distance.
Our final stop, after what seemed like a long trek, was to see the famous Durdle Door. The car park took me by surprise as it was so vast and packed. After our weekend where we saw relatively few people, Durdle Door was a stark contrast. The car park cost about £4, so have some coins ready, and I'd suggest that you go early and have your cossie on before you take the steps to the beach! The path down to the beach is long and steep and not a quick route, so it was such a shame, to miss out on swimming in the water that looked so warm and inviting.
Back in Bridport we parked for the last time in the long stay car park and headed down King Street, where a family of chickens seemed very happy to wander about, in and out of neighbour's gardens, in fact I wouldn't have minded doing that myself.
MBB Address Book:
Food
The Station Kitchen, West Bay
Stay
Symondsbury Estate, DT6 6HG, symondsburyestate.co.uk
Buy
Ryder & Hope, Lyme Regis, DT7 3QE
Old Albion, Bridport, DT6 3RR
Visit
Millennium Green, bridportmillenniumgreen.co.uk
Colmers Hill, DT6 6HG, symondsburyestate.co.uk
Durdle Door, BH20 5PU
Chesil Beach, DT4 9XE
 | Sarah Agnew Blogger, Modern Bric a Brac      |
