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Places you can visit in Dorset without a car

A female walker on the coast path near Burton Bradstock on a sunny day in early April
The South West Coast Path runs through Burton Bradstock | © National Trust/Zoe Stansfield

Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train, bike or foot, there are many places in Dorset you can visit without a car.

Check before you travel

Public transport services can change at short notice so please check the most up-to-date timetables with the bus/train companies before you travel.

Brownsea Island
Access to Brownsea Island is via ferry. Bus services stop at both Poole Quay and Sandbanks Jetty. Poole railway station is ½ mile from Poole Quay, and Parkstone railway station is 3.6 miles from Sandbanks Jetty, where you can complete your journey via bus.Plan your visit
Cerne Giant
Bus services stop at the Cerne Giant viewing area and car park, and Cerne Abbas village. National Cycle route 26 runs between Castle Cary and Dorchester.Plan your visit
Corfe Castle
Bus services from Poole and Swanage stop at Corfe Castle. Wareham is the closet train station, where you can complete your journey via bus. National Cycle route 2 passes 2 miles away, with cycle racks available at the castle entrance and Castle View.Plan your visit
Hardy’s House, Max Gate
Dorchester South and Dorchester West train stations are both 1 mile away, where you can complete your journey on foot.Plan your visit
Hive Beach
Bus services run along the whole length of the Jurassic Coastline. You can access Hive Beach on foot from Burton Bradstock village.Plan your visit
Kingston Lacy
Bus services stop at Wimborne Minster, and on select days bus services go direct to Kingston Lacy.Plan your visit
Studland Bay
Bus services stop in Studland, where it is a short walk to the beaches in Studland. National Cycle route 2 passes through the Studland Bay area, with cycle racks available in each of the car parks.Plan your visit

Local green schemes

We're working with Good Journey in Dorset, who are supported by a coalition of transport and conservation organisations to address the need for more sustainable travel. So, if you're planning a car-free day out, take a look at some of their initiatives, which provide discounts to those arriving by public transport.

An early morning view across Corfe Castle, Dorset in winter

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Looking over a drystone wall and across a grassy clifftop, two people look out to sea from behind a wooden fence

Walking in Dorset 

From strolls along the coastline by the sea to spectacular views over three counties at the top of Hambledon Hill, these are some of the best walks in Dorset this winter season.

Muddy mountain bike.
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