Bridport

Bridport is a characterful market town in west Dorset, set just inland from the dramatic Jurassic Coast at West Bay. Its layout still reflects its medieval origins, with three broad streets, East, West and South, meeting at the Town Hall. The unusually wide pavements and long back gardens are a clue to the town's defining industry: for centuries Bridport was the centre of English rope and net making, with hemp and flax laid out in the long rope walks behind the houses. Ropes for the Royal Navy and nets for fishing fleets around the world were produced here, a trade that gave rise to the grim phrase about being given a Bridport dagger.

Today the town has a lively independent character, with a thriving arts scene, vintage shops, galleries and a strong food culture. The Wednesday and Saturday street markets fill the centre with stalls selling everything from local cheese and cider to second-hand books and crafts, and the Bridport Arts Centre hosts a year-round programme of theatre, music and film.

A short bus ride or a walk down the River Brit leads to West Bay, with its golden sandstone cliffs, harbour and easy access to the South West Coast Path. Bridport is also a natural base for exploring Lyme Regis, Chesil Beach and the wider Dorset AONB.