From Dorset to Dublin: 3 Ways to Explore Coastlines in the UK and Beyond

Exploring beaches and coastlines can be a delightful breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of city life. Fortunately, the UK has a wealth of seaside destinations. A survey conducted by Which? ranked seaside towns, villages, and resorts in the UK based on their beaches, seafronts, attractions, scenery and other criteria. Bamburgh, the top-rated destination, won over the crowd with its rarely crowded beach. This gives travellers peaceful opportunities to walk, run, and simply watch the waves roll in. Visiting these coastlines can provide various activities and experiences depending on what you seek. In this post, we'll look at some of the ways you can enjoy exploring the coastlines of Dorset, the UK, and beyond: 

Take the scenic route

One of the best ways to explore the country’s coastlines is to go on a scenic drive. There are many great roads to drive in Dorset, but the B3157 Coast Road, all the way from Weymouth to Bridport promises travellers an unforgettable driving experience. The curved roads and glorious views of the Jurassic Coast are popular among tourists and bikers seeking a change of pace. 
 
If you want to explore coastlines beyond Dorset, consider a coastal drive around the UK's many other scenic routes, like the towering sea cliffs from Robin Hood's Bay to Flamborough Head or the coastal creeks of Essex from the town of Manningtree to the old port of Harwich. And if you feel all the more adventurous, numerous European road trips revolve around beautiful coastal roads, such as France's Côte d’Azur starting from Cannes to Monte Carlo or Italy's Amalfi Coast with its picturesque towns on hillsides and medieval streets. 

Enjoy a luxury cruise 

 
Looking for travel experiences that go beyond the usual land-based adventures? A cruise can provide both luxury and comfort for travellers looking to take in beautiful and serene coastlines. In particular, luxury cruises are a refreshing travel experience alongside five-star services and amenities. Explora offers luxury cruises around the UK, Ireland, and Northern Europe that lets travellers experience the stunning natural coastlines from the sea. These luxury cruise trips can transport you from the iconic chalky white cliffs of the UK and Ireland’s emerald patchwork of wide-open fields to the thermal springs in Iceland. Not only do you get to enjoy complete amenities, but you also expand your horizons by stopping off in coastline towns where you can learn about the history, try the regional cuisine, and check out some of the most famous sights. 
 
If taking a cruise isn't your cup of tea, you can opt to try other boating experiences. We wrote about the PS Waverley docking at Poole Harbour last year — the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1946 and through refurbishments, vessels like the Waverley can be a breathtaking and historical experience for curious travellers. Like Poole Harbour, the nearby port of Southampton and Portsmouth offer a wide range of cruises that can take you from Dorset to destinations such as the Baltics or the Norwegian fjords. 

Try coasteering 

Lastly, for more adventurous travellers searching for new coastal experiences, "coasteering" is an exciting amphibious activity that includes rough sea swimming, cliff-climbing and -jumping, and intertidal caving. The term was first pioneered in Wales, but nowadays, many coasteering hotspots exist around the UK and Europe. You can hire local guides who will bring you along an exciting coasteering itinerary. Coasteering is also popular in Mallorca's resort town Alcúdia and the secluded coves and caves of Cala Romantica. 
 
If you're not sure whether coasteering is for you, Dorset's Jurassic Coast is a popular coasteering spot for cliff- and rock-jumping. You can also swim into a cave that leads into small caverns with floors tiled in shells and walls draped with algae. As mentioned earlier, the Jurassic Coast is also part of the B3157 Coast Road experience, providing a two-in-one journey. 
 
Ultimately, whether you're looking for idyllic scenic trips, a glimpse into luxurious cruise ships, or a day of extreme water (and cliffs) activities, you can find them in Dorset and beyond. If you'd like more insights, guides, and tips for what to do in and around Dorset, you can check out the rest of our posts.