From vast swathes of shingle to stunning cliff formations and long stretches of sand dune, the Dorset Coast is one of southern England’s most varied and impressive. This is home to the famous “Jurassic Coast’ where you can see a fossil forest and walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs. There are also many reminders of the ancient past, among them the remains of iron age hillforts and the Cerne Abbas Giant, a huge figure carved into the chalk hillside. Chesil Beach which runs from Bridport to Weymouth is one of the UK’s longest shingle spits, while at Lulworth the cliffs have eroded into dramatic shapes. For wildlife, visit Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, where you can still see red squirrels and a wide variety of birds.