Nestling in the idyllic Bride Valley, where the River Bride wends its way to the sea, Burton Bradstock sits on the Dorset coast at the western end of the great Chesil Bank.

You can see the river flowing along one side of the village street on its way to Chesil Beach and the sea. But to find the ancient centre of this picture postcard village, head for the other side of the main street, behind the thatched cottages and the Three Horseshoes Inn. There, you’ll find a labyrinth of narrow streets with 17th and 18th century picture postcard cottages built in the local stone, together with some brick fronted Georgian houses. The Church of St Mary is earlier still, dating in part from the late 14th century with later notable additions such as Arts and Crafts style windows by James Prior.

Today Burton Bradstock is a thriving community, with a village shop and tea room, a Post Office, Library, garage and a children’s playground. The nearby West Bay Golf Course on the outskirts of Burton Bradstock welcomes guests.

For those who enjoy walking, it’s easy to join the South West Coast Path where it drops to the beach at Burton Bradstock. To the north-west, the Coast Path climbs again alongside the golf course, before a sudden decline to West Bay. Beyond is Seatown, rising steeply to the famous landmark of Golden Cap (the highest point on the south coast) before reaching Stonebarrow and Charmouth. To the south-east, it follows the coast down towards Abbotsbury and its world famous Swannery and Sub-tropical Gardens and then on to Portland (for Places to Visit click here).

Away from the coastline, public footpaths and bridleways crisscross the countryside that surrounds Burton Bradstock. Guests can borrow copies of the local Ordnance Survey map from Norburton Hall.

www.burtonbradstock.org.uk