Bridport rests where the Dorset countryside meets the Unesco World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast. The thriving market town is the perfect place to immerse yourself amongst the natural beauty of England while delving into Dorset’s rich history.
Things to do in Bridport
If you do one thing in Bridport, take a professionally guided fossil hunt along the enthralling Jurassic Coast. The layers of sedimentary rock along this 150-kilometers shoreline reveal over 185 million years of Earth’s history. As you stroll the cliffs, discover remains from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Trawl the stalls at the Bridport Street Market, held each Wednesday and Saturday morning. Find antiques in the bric-a-brac vendors or sample regional produce inside the Arts Centre, like Dorset Blue Vinny cheese. Be sure to stop by Leakers Bakery to taste Bridport’s award-winning apple cake served with a compulsory dollop of clotted cream.
Retrace over 2,000 years of history at the Bridport Museum from the days of Alfred the Great to the Second World War. The museum boasts a fascinating collection of specimens and fossils excavated along the coast, including ammonites, starfish and a plesiosaur.
Appreciate the spectacular scenery of the Jurassic Coast with a hike along the South West Coast Path or explore the coast’s rugged red rock outcrops on a kayak tour to Ladram Bay. History enthusiast can follow the Bridport to Abbotsbury trail, which passes by St Catherine's Chapel and finishes at the Abbotsford Castle.
Getting around Bridport
You can fly into Exeter Airport or arrive by coach from most major cities including London, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. The nearest train stations are Maiden Newton and Crewkerne, which connect to London Waterloo in four hours. Local buses, boats, bikes and rental cars are available for convenient transport.