Explore Things to Do in Burton Bradstock, Dorset
Hive Beach, Coastal Walks and a West Dorset Village We Keep Coming Back To
Burton Bradstock is one of those West Dorset villages we never seem to tire of visiting. Sitting just inland from the Jurassic Coast, it’s surrounded by rolling countryside, dramatic cliffs and some wonderful stretches of coastline, yet the village itself still feels wonderfully traditional. Honey-coloured stone cottages line the lanes, the South West Coast Path passes close by, and Hive Beach is only a short walk away.
For us, some of the best things to do in Burton Bradstock are also the simplest. We’ve walked this stretch of coast countless times over the years, particularly the route from Burton Bradstock towards West Bay, passing Bridport Golf Club with views opening up along the Jurassic Coast. Head in the other direction and you can follow the coastline towards Cogden Beach, West Bexington and eventually Abbotsbury, with some spectacular views along the way.
Things To Do
Food is another reason we keep returning. The Hive Beach Café has long been a favourite for seafood beside the beach, while The Three Horseshoes in the village is somewhere we’ve eaten many times and regularly recommend. Add in The Parlour at Bredy Farm and the Michelin Guide-listed Seaside Boarding House nearby, and Burton Bradstock has a remarkably good food scene for such a small Dorset village.
There’s plenty more to discover beyond the beach, whether you’re interested in walking, cycling, local history, days out or simply finding somewhere good for lunch after a morning on the coast. It’s this combination of village, countryside, food and the Jurassic Coast that makes Burton Bradstock somewhere we return to again and again.
For us, it captures much of what makes West Dorset so special. It’s also somewhere we’re always happy to recommend to guests staying in our Dorset holiday cottages, particularly if they want to spend a day exploring this quieter stretch of the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the best things to do in Burton Bradstock include spending time at Hive Beach, walking the South West Coast Path, exploring the village and enjoying some of its excellent places to eat. You can also head along the coast towards West Bay, Cogden Beach and West Bexington, making it easy to combine the village with a longer day exploring this part of the Jurassic Coast.
Absolutely. Burton Bradstock combines a beautiful West Dorset village with spectacular Jurassic Coast scenery, excellent walking and one of the area’s best-known beaches. We’ve returned many times over the years and it’s somewhere we’re always happy to recommend to guests staying in our Dorset holiday cottages.
Burton Bradstock is probably best known for Hive Beach and its dramatic Jurassic Coast setting. The village is also known for its traditional stone cottages, excellent coastal walks and food scene, with the Hive Beach Café one of the best-known places to eat beside the coast.
Yes. Burton Bradstock is brilliantly positioned for exploring the South West Coast Path. One of our favourite walks follows the coast towards West Bay, passing Bridport Golf Club and opening up some wonderful views along the Jurassic Coast. In the opposite direction, you can explore the coastline towards Cogden Beach and West Bexington.
Yes. Hive Beach is an obvious favourite, while coastal walks, nearby West Bay and the surrounding countryside give families plenty of choice for a day out. Burton Bradstock is also within easy reach of many of West Dorset’s family attractions, making it a lovely area to explore for guests staying in our family-friendly cottages in Dorset.
The village and surrounding area have some excellent places to eat. The Hive Beach Café is a long-standing favourite of ours for seafood by the coast, while we’ve eaten at The Three Horseshoes many times and regularly recommend it. Nearby you’ll also find The Parlour at Bredy Farm and the Michelin Guide-listed Seaside Boarding House.
You can easily spend a full day here. Start with a walk along the Jurassic Coast, stop for lunch in the village or at Hive Beach and spend the afternoon exploring the beach and surrounding countryside. If you have longer, Burton Bradstock also makes a good starting point for discovering more of West Dorset.
West Bay and Bridport are only a short distance away, while Abbotsbury, Seatown, Golden Cap and Lyme Regis can all be incorporated into days out along this part of the Dorset coast. If you’re exploring further, our Explore West Bay and Explore Abbotsbury guides have plenty more local ideas.
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