The 40 minute drive along the coast road from us to the popular seaside town of Weymouth is beautiful, you follow the ocean and Chesil Beach along, driving through the quaint Dorset villages, plenty of places to stop for lunch or a wander; West Bay, Bridport and Abbotsbury all have much to offer.
The town of Chard is only 2 miles away. It claims to be the birthplace of aviation, as it was here in 1848 that the Victorian aeronautical pioneer John Stringfellow (1799-1883) first demonstrated that engine-powered flight was possible.
Four miles away is the Saxon town of Axminster Most people associate Axminster with carpets and the factory can still be seen in Silver Street. Although it's not open to the public you can see the quality of their workmanship by visiting their showroom just out of the town. The carpet industry was started in 1755 by Thomas Whitty whose factory produced the highest quality, custom made carpets.
If you pass Axminster and continue along the Jurassic Coast visiting Lyme Regis famous for the film the French Lieutenants Women and the Monmouth Rebellion which is also a find for fossil hunters. The Dorset Coastal route will continue though Charmouth, WestBay, Chesil Beach, Abbotsbury, Weymouth and Portland.
Alternatively, from us drive the opposite way along the Devon coastline, stopping in the picturesque fishing village of Beer, with Branscombe a little further on and our personal favorite of Sidmouth; lovely beach, wonderful red cliffs for walking along, great shops and good places for lunch. Or the obligatory Devon Clotted Cream tea!!
