Bridport

The rope and net industry built this Dorset market town, and you can still sense that practical heritage wandering its streets. Bridport has shaken off its utilitarian past to become something rather special - a proper working town that happens to attract artists, foodies, and folk who appreciate substance over style. The Wednesday and Saturday markets still draw crowds, but now they're after artisan bread and local ceramics alongside the usual suspects.

West Bay, just two miles down the road, provides the seaside element with its famous harbour walls - you'll recognise The Cobb from Broadchurch if you're that way inclined. Monmouth Beach stretches eastward, a lovely spot when the weather plays ball. The town itself sits in a gentle valley, with Woodhouse Hill and Wooton Hill rising on either side like green bookends.

Cultural offerings punch above their weight here. The Regent Cinema shows art house films alongside blockbusters, while the Mary Anning gallery celebrates the fossil-hunting pioneer. Admiral Sir George Somers gets his due at the historic site dedicated to the Bermuda colonist - not exactly household name material, but locally significant.

For something completely different, The Tunnel Tree Tops High Ropes offers aerial adventure in nearby woodland. More sedate types might prefer a round at Lyme Regis Golf Club, though that's a bit of a trek eastward.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - the A35 cuts straight through town, connecting Bridport to the wider Dorset network. Staying at one of the local holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're minutes from both town amenities and coastal walks, with the entire Jurassic Coast within easy striking distance. Golden Cap Holiday Park and West Bay Holiday Park put you right in the action, while spots like Freshwater Beach Holiday Park offer direct beach access.