About the area
Sutton Poyntz is a
historic conservation village in south Dorset, situated 3 miles from the
coastal town of Weymouth, and half a mile from local shops and
amenities at Preston. The county town of Dorchester lies 5 miles to the
North over the chalk escarpment of the Ridgeway with its spectacular
views and Bronze Age barrows.
Archaeological excavations at Sutton Poyntz have revealed artefacts dating from Iron Age, Roman and medieval times. The spring at Sutton Poyntz once provided all the water for the town of Weymouth and the Waterworks Museum is now situated on the site of the ancient upper mill. The Springhead pub/restaurant, once a farmhouse, provides good food and the famous White Horse (left) is visible from its large car park with childrens' play area.
Sutton Poyntz is much photographed with its old millpond, streams and attractive cottages. From here there are numerous walks, to the Iron Age Chalbury Fort, up onto the chalk downs of the Ridgeway, across the fields to the White Horse and the village of Osmington. At Osmington Mills, set into the Jurassic coastline there are wonderful views from the cliff top and the old Smugglers Inn is idyllically situated.
Most of Dorset's coast and countryside is designated an Area of Natural Beauty with its dramatic coastal paths, pretty villages, historic houses and gardens. The world Heritage Jurassic coast was a Destination Award Winner in the 2005 'Tourism for Tomorrow' Awards. Sutton Poyntz is an ideal base for exploring the area.
Nearby Weymouth is a bustling seaside town with an attractive
Georgian promenade and a fine sandy beach, known for its sand
sculptures. The picturesque and historic harbour still has an active
fishing fleet and is also home to more modern yachts. The harbour leads
inland to the reedbeds of the Radipole
Lake Nature Reserve with its lake, there are
bars, clubs and restaurants to suit all tastes. Facilities include the
Sea Life Centre, the Lodsmoor Country Park, Brewers Quay, Nothe Gardens and Fort. At Bowleaze Cove you can join the South West Coastal
Path and Overcombe is a favourite with windsurfers. Weymouth has been
chosen as the venue for Sailing in the 2012 Olympics.
A causeway connects Weymouth to the
Island of Portland and to the west lies the famous shingle Chesil Bank
sheltering the 8 mile long
lagoon known as the Fleet. There are numerous attractive villages along
this coast, including Abbotsbury with its stone cottages, Swannery,
medieval Tithe Barn, and Sub Tropical Gardens - a good place to find a
traditional cream tea! Further west Charmouth is renowned for its
fossils.
To the east of Weymouth lies a dramatic and varied coastline with the famous landmarks of Durdle Door rock arch and Lulworth Cove, and the abandoned village of Tyneham.
Inland one can visit Cerne Abbas with its Giant, Athelhampton House, the Iron Age hill fort of Maiden Castle and Kingston Maurward College gardens/lake.
The county town of Dorchester - 'Casterbridge' in Thomas Hardy's novels - has many places of interest to visit including the Dorset county museums, Dinosaur and Teddy Bear museums and The Keep, housing the military museum of Devon and Dorset. Nearby is Hardy's birthplace at Stinsford and the house he designed for himself - Max Gate, where he ended his days.
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