The Perfect Place to Discover Dorset’s Secrets
A luxury hideaway in the heart of the glorious Dorset countryside, Eype’s Mouth Country Hotel is the perfect place to rest and recharge.
Its tranquil location is also ideal for visitors who want to make the most of Dorset’s wonderful experiences. Many of our guests come back to us year on year to take advantage of the South West’s stunning scenery and to discover some great days out.
Our staff will be delighted to share their favourites with you, but here are our top picks for the best experiences Dorset has to offer!
Start with a Visit to Eype’s Mouth: Beauty on Your Doorstep
The perfect place to start your exploration of Dorset’s natural beauty, Eype is a small coastal village built around a lane that descends steeply towards the sea. Easily accessible from the hotel, the lane leads to an inlet in the cliffs formed by the mouth of the Eype stream.
Taking a stroll down to the harbour, you’ll see the legacy of local industries such as farming, fishing and boatbuilding.
As you might imagine, tourism has become an industry central to the area’s financial and social development. Whilst you’ll find a cafe or two in the harbour, the charm and peace of this undiscovered jewel in the Dorset landscape is well worth the walk!
A History Worth Discovering
Now a charming resort that offers visitors a return to a more tranquil way of life, Eype’s early history is intertwined with legend and romance.
According to some, the village was founded in the seventh century BC by wandering Greek traders who built a temple and burial place on Quarr Hill to the north. They came from Epirus, hence the name Eype.
Now home to a secluded shingle beach boasting ideal conditions for fossil hunting, swimming and wildlife watching, this coastline stretch represents some of Dorset’s finest geography.
From discovering ammonites to stopping off for a pint at the pub, it’s an ideal place to start your holiday.
Do speak with our friendly staff, who will be happy to point you in the right direction or answer your questions about Eype’s Mouth’s fascinating history.
Visit Golf Clubs Near Eype’s Mouth
Lots of our visitors spend their holiday relaxing in our sensory gardens and enjoying the dazzling views from our luxurious rooms and spacious social areas.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more physical, like a round of golf, then you’re in luck. There are two different golf clubs within easy driving distance, and both offer our guests the opportunity to unwind and play a round or two in the lovely Dorset countryside.
Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club
The Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club is a glorious example of a deceptively difficult course. Open to visitors of all levels of ability, the variable wind and changeable weather make this course a real test.
With an outstandingly beautiful backdrop, scenic views stretch over the sea and shore, making the course a pleasure to walk. Views inland point toward the two highest points in Dorset, Pilsdon Pen and Lewesdon Hill.
A dry-stone wall features on four holes, one of which is the 371-yard 13th. The signature hole, the 6th, is only 129 yards long but has a drop of over 90 feet, with one commentator rating it in the top 100 holes in the world.
Lyme Regis Golf Club
Equally captivating and invigorating is the Lyme Regis Golf Club course, which hosts several county, regional and national championships.
The 18-hole par 71 course occupies a cliff-top site with coastal views towards Portland Bill and overlooks the Historical World Heritage Site of Lyme Regis. With regular sea breezes and taking the natural rise and fall of the cliffs as a starting point for its design, it offers golfers a challenging test.
The Clubhouse overlooking the 18th green makes the ideal location to unwind once you’ve played a round. You can enjoy a drink or a relaxing lunch before heading back to Eype’s Mouth Country Hotel for an aperitif and some fine dining in the evening.
Action and Adventure Activities in Dorset
If you’re looking for action and adventure, Dorset boasts a wealth of experiences to get the adrenaline flowing. From the Portland Outdoor Centre to Moonfleet Adventure Sailing, there are plenty of options for thrill seekers of all ages.
If you’re staying at Eype’s Mouth and want to add some excitement to your Dorset holiday, then the following are two venues that our visitors highly recommend.
Karting at Dorset Adventure Sports
Whether you’re keen on motorsports, skilled behind the wheel of a quad bike or just want to have a go at powerturn buggies or blind driving, you’ll find Dorset Adventure Sports has it covered.
You can buy experiences in advance or simply turn up and book a slot that suits you. The facilities are well maintained, and we love the range of activities available. You can even drive a hovercraft if you’ve mastered the traditional indoor and outdoor race tracks!
You can also pick from various fast-paced activities, from laser clay pigeon shooting to archery tag and paintball. Just take a change of clothes!
Paragliding at Flying Frenzy
Flying Frenzy is a paragliding school based nearby on the Jurassic Coast. With training sites situated inland that stretch across West Dorset, they offer action-packed high-octane experiences.
Their taster day courses, bookable in advance, are designed to introduce you to the sport, build your confidence and technique and get you up in the air. If you’re a beginner, they will also include equipment hire and thorough safety checks as part of the experience.
If you want to enjoy Dorset’s stunning coastline from the air, you can always pick a tandem flight. Alternatively, if you’re an experienced flier, they also offer refresher courses and training towards formal qualifications.
Our guests come back buzzing from these great days out, so why not follow in their footsteps and enjoy all the thrills the Jurassic Coast offers?
Dorset’s Finest Museums and Galleries
If you’re looking to stimulate the mind and body, there’s no shortage of museums and galleries in the area. These venues offer a real taste of local life and culture, easily combined with shopping, sightseeing and exploring the natural landscape.
As always, chat with us here at Eype’s Mouth if you’ve got any particular interests you’d like to explore, and we’ll be happy to suggest a broader range of trips and visits.
In the meantime, here are some of our favourites.
Museums With a Difference
If you’re keen to visit museums offering you some interactivity and adventure, these two are a must.
The Castletown D-Day Centre is an authentic recreation of the busy wartime dockyard on the Isle of Portland. It was from here, in 1944, that thousands of American troops of the 5th US Corps and the US 1st infantry embarked, bound for the heavily defended beaches of Nazi-occupied France.
The museum features an impressive array of original WW2 artefacts, weapons and wartime vehicles, including a full-size replica Spitfire, a Bofors 40mm gun and even a restored Sherman tank. Visitors are encouraged to handle the weapons and climb on the vehicles, but there’s also a great deal of information to read and quiet spots in which to reflect.
Similarly, visiting Bournemouth Aviation Museum makes a great day out. Home to a wide range of expertly restored aircraft, they offer a genuine “hands-on” experience. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to climb into the cockpits and let their imagination take flight!
From a Boeing 737 to a Northrop Shellduck Radioplane or a BAC One-Eleven to a Chichester-Miles Leopard, there’s no shortage of exhibits for visitors to enjoy.
Art Galleries to Inspire
If arts and culture are what take your interest, then a trip to Sculpture By The Lakes is essential. Nestled in 26 acres of Dorset’s glorious countryside, it’s an oasis for art lovers and collectors created by renowned sculptor Simon Gudgeon.
Simon’s vision was to create an environment for enthusiasts that blends nature’s beauty with inspiring works of art, free from the constraints of enclosed spaces of a traditional gallery. The sculpture park has been carefully landscaped and curated to ensure each piece is positioned to enhance its aesthetic qualities and visual surroundings.
It’s the ideal spot to spend the day, so why not take a picnic and be inspired by art and nature?
The Russell-Cotes Gallery boasts an equally dazzling collection in a more traditional setting. Comprised of a house, gallery and garden, this intimate museum is a breathtaking snapshot of a time gone by.
In 1901, Merton Russell-Cotes gave his wife Annie a dream house overlooking the sea. Together they filled this exotic seaside villa with beautiful objects from their travels across the world and lined the walls with a remarkable collection of British art, creating a unique atmosphere in a most dramatic setting.
Today it is a venue of great critical renown, home to historical collections and contemporary acquisitions that reflect the beauty of a changing world. It’s a thought-provoking, inspiring place to visit and a great favourite with many of our guests.
Start Your Journey at Eype’s Mouth
We’re proud to be located so close to exciting and entertaining experiences like these, and we look forward to sharing them with you!
If you’re keen to explore other days out in the South West and take advantage of the best hospitality Dorset offers, get in touch with us here at Eype’s Mouth Country Hotel.
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