The best walks and hikes around Poxwell

The Smugglers Inn is a historic, 13th-century thatched country pub and boutique hotel nestled on the clifftops of Osmington Mills, Dorset. Boasting sweeping views of the English Channel and the Isle of Portland, this Hall & Woodhouse coastal gem sits steps away from the rugged Jurassic Coast and the South West Coast Path. Steeped in local lore, the inn served as a notorious 17th-century smuggling landing site and was once the headquarters for the French smuggler Pierre Latour and the infamous Emmanuel Charles. Inside, the building retains its authentic, centuries-old character with low oak-beamed ceilings, original flagstone floors, and a historic central chimney. Today, it operates as a cozy retreat featuring eight en-suite bedrooms, EV charging bays, and a large tiered outdoor terrace complete with a natural stream. The restaurant serves seasonal British pub classics, hearty Sunday roasts, and locally brewed Badger Beers. Known for its warm hospitality, the inn remains highly popular with hikers, families, and dog owners looking for a scenic countryside escape.

The shut-down property near Bowleaze Cove is the iconic Riviera Hotel, a Grade II listed art deco landmark. Built between 1936 and 1937 by architect Lionel Stewart Smith, its striking white-and-blue modernist design features two long, curved accommodation arcs flanking a central square tower. The 98-room hotel has a rich history, serving as a wartime hospital for US forces in WWII before operating as a popular Pontins holiday camp from 1958 until 2000. After decades of changing ownership, it fell into severe neglect and was added to the Twentieth Century Society’s "Buildings at Risk" register in 2023. The site is currently closed to the public and fenced off. While hit by structural issues—including severe storm damage to its ballroom roof—its current owners, the Diyafa Group, have been undertaking a long-term refurbishment project to rescue the historic coastal venue from decay.

Very nice picnic spot with toilets. Not a big detour.

To be fair the beach is just a beach..... But try the cafe at the beach. Cake to die for!!!

The Reef Cafe is a popular, family-run business nestled on the beautiful, secluded Jurassic Coast at Ringstead Bay, Dorset. It started as an ice cream caravan and has evolved into a thriving spot, serving freshly brewed coffee, homemade cakes, and hot food, including delicious wood-fired pizzas. It’s a favorite stop for walkers on the South West Coast Path and beach visitors, known for its warm atmosphere and lovely views.

The Ringstead Bay Chain Home station was a crucial World War II early warning radar site in Dorset. Built in 1941, it was part of the Chain Home network that provided vital intelligence on incoming German aircraft, playing a key role in the Battle of Britain. Post-war, the site was repurposed, first as a ROTOR station during the Cold War, and later as a USAF Tropospheric scatter station. Today, the structural remains are Grade II listed, with one of the former bunkers uniquely converted into a holiday home.

Check out the floral clock in Greenhill gardens. You can see the restored clockwork mechanism, one of very few still working. It "cuckoos" on the hour, quarter and half.

Weymouth seafront is the epitome of a classic British seaside resort, featuring a magnificent, long crescent of golden sandy beach backed by a graceful, sweeping Georgian esplanade. This sheltered bay, known for its gently sloping, safe, and clean waters, makes it an ideal spot for swimming and traditional family holidays, complete with Punch and Judy shows and donkey rides on the sands. The esplanade itself is lined with elegant Georgian terraces now converted into hotels and guesthouses, providing a beautiful, historic backdrop to the lively scene, which leads eastward toward the attractions of the Weymouth Pavilion and the historic Old Harbour.