Did You Know?

The Jurassic Dorset coast was the first-ever natural site to make the UNESCO World Heritage list in December 2001. This is partly due to the rich fossil findings in the area, where perfectly preserved fossils can be found in the rock formations.

Studland Bay in Dorset has the world’s largest seahorse-breeding colony in Great Britain and the beach was also the backdrop for Coldplay’s video of their hit song “Yellow”.

Many authors have been inspired by the hidden gems and beauty that can be found in Dorset, one of them being Enid Blyton. Supposedly she loved to spend time here as a child, and those fond childhood memories were the source of inspiration for her famous book “Five”.

Brownsea Island is a Dorset nature reserve, but is also acknowledged as the place that Scouting was started in 1907 by Lord Baden-Powell.

it's probably most famous for its soaring limestone arch, Durdle Door, which is featured on many a postcard of the area. Nearby is the picture perfect horseshoe bay of Lulworth Cove which attracts visitors all year round due to its stunning setting and quaint village in Dorset.

The motto of the county is 'Who's Afear'd' meaning 'To be afraid'. There are thousands of buildings of historical significance in the county with over 1,500 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and 12,850 listed buildings including Portland Castle and Corfe Castle.

A 1.5km stretch at Cann Common has often been called Britain’s bendiest road. Although the claim is unsubstantiated, the road is certainly one of the bendiest we’ve ever seen! Named Zig Zag Hill, this road near the

Wiltshire border is so twisty it feels like a rollercoaster. Drivers be warned!

The Hovis advert from the 1970s was filmed on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury.

The oldest post box in England can be found on the streets of Holwell, a quaint village in Dorset and is still in use today. Having been first put into action back in 1853.

Dorset is one of the most rural counties in the UK – half the population in the county are in the small geographical area of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. There are more kilometres of footpaths and bridlepaths than road and over 4,000 farms.

One of Portland’s early lighthouses became the first anywhere in the world to use a true lens in its lantern in 1789.