With the present financial climate causing each one of us to economize on our spending, many Brits are considering taking the family to a holiday park here in the United Kingdom rather than traveling abroad. As a consequence, holidaymakers are becoming increasingly aware that if they opt to stay in Britain they are unlikely to be the only ones with that idea, so selecting a destination and booking early is a neat idea.

Dorset is the ideal destination, it’s less popular than Devon and Cornwall, but is similarly as unique and fascinating a place. Set on Britain’s south coast, Dorset is a county of great contrast but one that will certainly reward the committed visitor again and again.

Many of us anticipate vacations as a time to step back, run away from it all and unwind from the strain of everyday responsibilities. You’ll find that the facilities provided by many of the holiday parks will relieve you of many tasks when holidaying with the family. Furthermore you will find that some of the lodges at the top-end holiday parks offer a degree of comfort that is all that you need to rest and relax, so you can return to your daily activities with a renewed energy.

In fact, you might find that after a particularly pleasant vacation you could even be tempted to purchase a holiday home in your favourite park. This means that you can decorate them to suit your private choice, and turn them into a retreat if you like. They can provide a minimalist setting where you can entirely chill-out, or they can feature your favorite facilities ; either is wholly possible and up to you with vacation lodges.

Bournemouth is the biggest city in Dorset and is located on the coast at the east of the county. The city is regarded as the regional centre for leisure and recreation, and consequently offers many things for visitors to do.

The Russell Coates Museum contains collections of 19th Century art from countries as varied as Russia and Japan. Bournemouth is also home to the world famous Royal Bath Hotel that has been the non-permanent residence to such celebs as H. G. Wells, Oscar Wilde and Shirley Bassey.

Five miles to the east of Bournemouth you’ll find the pretty traditional city of Christchurch where the Priory stands beside the ruined mediaeval monastery. Two of the UK’s most famous fishing rivers, The Hampshire Avon and the Dorset Stour converge here in Christchurch before making their way through the sheltered harbor and onward to the sea at Mudeford. The harbour at Mudeford is definitely worth a visit, if only to look at the youngsters of every age pulling the crabs from the fast flowing run as it dashes through the channel.

To the west of Bournemouth is the revitalised city of Poole, and its large natural harbour, 2nd in size only to Sydney. Take a boat trip to Brownsea Island and spot the rare red squirrels. Visit Sandbanks too, and the wonderful houses in millionaires row where celebrities from the worlds of pop, film and football now reside in the modern art deco houses. From the end of the Sandbanks spur take the old chain link ferry to Studland Bay. There’s a gorgeous sandy beach here too and you can walk along the shore to the pretty hamlet of Studland, but remember that this is a nudist beach. And it’s used, at every point of the year, making the patrons much tougher souls than I!

Lyme Regis is maybe one of the best known tourist destinations in the county. It lies on the Jurassic Coast ( a World Heritage Site ) to the east of the county and equidistant between Exeter and Dorchester ( twenty-five miles from each ). The city’s rich history is related closely to the progression and expansion of shipping and exploration in the 13th Century, and was once home to George Somers ( who set up Bermuda ). Today, one of the major hobbies in the city is fossil hunting. The Blue Lias rock of the cliffs hosts many intact fossils that are made public by coastal erosion, and straightforward to find by visitors.