Escape the January blues in Dorset
Escape the January blues in Dorset
The festive period is fun, but it can be a pretty full-on and stressful time too! January offers the perfect opportunity to relax and take some time for you. We’ve created this mini guide bursting with ideas on how to give yourself some TLC in Dorset post-Christmas.
Relax at a top Dorset spa
Treating yourself to a spa experience is a great way to rejuvenate and re-energise, ready for the new year. There’s a fantastic choice of highly rated spas in Dorset, many of which are surrounded by beautiful rural and coastal scenery.
Monart Day Spa, Poundbury
Located in Poundbury on the outskirts of Dorchester, you can relax in style at this elegant spa. Opened in 2019, guests can indulge in spa packages and treatments with access to a thermal suite with hydrotherapy pool, aroma steam room, infrared pro cabin, salt grotto and sanarium. Packages include a full or half spa day, a three-hour thermal experience or treatment only.
Oceana Day Spa, Bournemouth
In an idyllic cliff-top location, Oceana offers a selection of relaxing treatments, based on the oils, methods and traditions of Asia. There are five treatment rooms and the Suncliff next door offers spa users free access to its indoor heated pool, gym and sauna.
Harbour Spa, Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
With five treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, hydrotherapy pool with mood lighting and a wide range of luxurious treatments available, there is plenty on offer to enjoy an indulgent spa day. You can add lunch or an afternoon tea or extend your visit to include an overnight stay with breath-taking views of the harbour.
Moonfleet Manor, Weymouth
Just a few minutes away from the famous Chesil Beach in a remote setting outside of Weymouth, guests can escape to Moonfleet for a truly tranquil experience. Once you have enjoyed one of the relaxing treatments on offer, why not make the most of your pamper day by booking an afternoon tea, going for a wander along the beach or heading to the fine dining restaurant.
Catch up with friends at an independent café
Dorset is jam-packed with lovely independent businesses, many of which are family-run. If you missed the chance to see friends over the Christmas period, why not pop into one of these cafes and support a local business.
EBIKE CAFÉ @ Deheers, Weymouth
Fittingly, the vision of this café is to provide a community hub and safe space following recent challenging times. As well as providing healthy and sustainable food using products from local suppliers, the café sells, hires and repairs e-bikes. Situated on Weymouth’s buzzing harbourside, why not combine your visit with an afternoon stroll.
The Pear Tree Deli & Café, Sherborne
This family-run deli and café can be found near Sherborne’s famous Abbey. With a varied menu and daily specials, you can tuck into Dorset produce, including cheeses, pickles, jams, local bread, homemade sandwich fillers, cakes and scones.
Soulshine Café, Bridport
Soulshine is a restaurant, café and shop serving locally-sourced food and its own roasted coffee. The café sells toasties, vegan cakes, freshly squeezed orange juice and hot drinks with milk alternatives.
No.9 on the Green Café & Bakery, Wimborne
This welcoming café and bakery opposite the Minster offers homemade cakes, afternoon and cream teas, handcrafted gourmet sandwiches and homemade sausage rolls. Made with locally-sourced, free-range and fair-trade ingredients, there are also gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Yellow Bicycle Café, Blandford
Offering a range of delicious homemade food, tea and coffee, The Yellow Bicycle stocks a selection of locally produced items, including meat from Dorset farmers and chutneys, cheeses and jams from the Book and Bucket Cheese Company. There are also vegan and gluten-free options available.
Have a stroll in nature
Grab your winter woollies and soak up the beautiful Dorset countryside by heading out on one of these bracing walks.
If you’re up for a lengthier walk of just over 11 miles, head to Cheselbourne, north-east of Dorchester for a rural ramble through peaceful fields and woodland. You’ll walk along a short section of the Wessex Ridgeway, crossing over the Dorset Gap - an important crossing of tracks that has been used since medieval times. You’ll also have the chance to visit Lyscombe Chapel on the way, part of which dates from the 12th century.
In winter you’ll be treated to incredible views of rural Dorset from the top of Hambledon Hill in Blandford. It may be a bit of a steep walk up the Iron Age hill fort, but you can take your time to admire the stunning scenery and enjoy a flask of hot chocolate as you go. When you get back down to the village of Child Okeford, pop into the pub to celebrate.
It may be chillier than in the summer, but winter is great time of year to explore Dorset’s beaches and coastal paths whilst they are less crowded and parking is available.
A very popular destination in summer, we recommend heading to Sandbanks Beach in Poole for spectacular views of Hengistbury Head, the Needles on the Isle of Wight and Old Harry Rocks.
If you visit Charmouth in Lyme Regis during winter, you may have an even better chance of finding fossils than in the warmer months. After a winter storm, more fossils are exposed from the cliffs.
Be careful on the roads and paths if its icy or has been snowing. Check out more of our recommended winter walks in this blog.
We hope you enjoy taking the time for you – it really is important!
If you’re in interested in moving to Dorset, contact our friendly expert team or pop into one of our six offices across the county.
Added: 28th December 2022
