Holiday rentals in Bridport

Bridport, a vibrant market town in the county of Dorset, is located on England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast — a 150-kilometre stretch of pristine coastline with towering white cliffs overlooking idyllic beaches with unusual rocks and fossils.

The town itself is about 10 minutes north of the water and serves as a hub to both the county’s countryside and coastal towns. Internationally, this small town is well known for its high-quality rope and net making, and regionally, it's known as a dynamic cultural centre. You may spend hours at Bridport’s twice-weekly markets, which take over the town’s main streets, hunting for treasures amid the antiques and bric-a-brac and snacking on local foods. Bridport’s lively arts and culture scenes shine at the Bridport Arts Centre and Bridport Electric Palace, a 1920s cinema showcasing films, theatre productions, music, and comedy events.

The best time to visit south coast towns like Bridport is during the summer months. From May to August, the days are long, the foliage is in bloom, and the street markets (held every Wednesday and Saturday) are rife with local produce, wares, and food. As the weather remains warm and pleasant in September or October, you can find holiday cottages in Bridport, wander along the coast wearing only a light jacket — a waterproof one, of course.

In autumn, the competition is less fierce at the Bridport Vintage and Antique Market, held the last Sunday of each month. The winter months can be cold and damp, but you might catch a sunny weekend and come for the Bridport Literary Festival in November, which showcases a variety of readings, authors, and lectures.

Bridport Museum

To understand the history of Bridport and its connection to rope making, visit the town museum. For more than 700 years, this community has been one of the world’s leading rope and net suppliers. Bridport nets have been in use on the Space Shuttle, in automobiles, and even at the famous tennis tournament in Wimbledon. Schedule your visit so that you can catch one of the museum’s rope-making demonstrations.

Fossil Hunting

Just 10 minutes south of Bridport are the West Bay Cliffs, a stretch of beach belonging to the Jurassic Coast. It’s so named because rocks dating back 250 to 65 million years can be found scattered throughout the area. Sign up for a guided tour, and learn first-hand about the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous eras, or spend your afternoons hunting in the Bridport Sands for ancient souvenirs.

The Golden Cap

Rising 191 metres above sea level is the Jurassic Coast’s Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast of England. Hikers will enjoy a somewhat challenging climb to the top, but once you’ve made it, the meadows, streams, and panoramic views of the golden sandstone cliffs and beaches will reward you. You can also wander over to a once-thriving medieval village, Stanton St Gabriel, and explore its crumbling chapel and manor house.