Drive down to Dorset for a taste of the games

London will be the place to visit in 2012 when the Olympics come to town. However, the London games will see Olympians visit venues across the country including Dorset where you can enjoy Olympic life without the hustle and bustle of city life. Use car hire comparison sites to find the best deal and book your car to collect once you fly into Heathrow. Then it’s off on the road to head south of London for the two hour drive to Weymouth, home of the sailing events for the games.

Located on the Jurassic Coast, Weymouth is one of the oldest tourist destinations in the UK and it’s easy to understand why. The town itself is every bit the iconic British seaside town, with beautiful Georgian buildings lining the seafront. Most of these are guesthouses so you can have your pick of sea-view rooms looking out of the beach. The award-winning golden sands stretch unspoilt for miles along the coast and are always popular with tourists. Any visit to the beach has to include watching the Punch and Judy show and also a wander down the esplanade to see the sand sculptures created by Mark Anderson, following on in his grandfather’s footsteps. They’re an absolute joy to see.

Weymouth is a town where something is always happening, and the highlight of the year is the August Carnival. There is also the Pavilion Theatre which always has a show on and the complex is currently undergoing a makeover for 2012. Just around the corner from here is the harbour which is always bustling with life. Get up nice and early to watch as the catches come in – it’s a memorable experience. And if you feel like doing a spot of fishing yourself, you can fish for crabs along the harbour or even book onto a charter boat to head out onto the seas to fish.

Weymouth is lucky to be surrounded by so many must-visit places and this makes it the perfect holiday destination. On the road to Portland, you’ll see Chesil Beach and it’s well worth stopping off at. At 18 miles long, Chesil Beach made up of tiny pebbles, although taking one as a souvenir is not allowed – just ask Ian McEwan who caused uproar when he took some as inspiration for his novel ‘On Chesil Beach’. From here, continue up to Portland where the rest of the sailing events will take place during the games. Its rugged coastline is breathtaking and you can even indulge in some rock climbing, if you’re feeling brave!

Dorset’s county capital, Dorchester, is just 7 miles from Weymouth and here you can pay homage to one of England’s greatest writers, Thomas Hardy. Visit the home he lived in whilst he wrote his famous novels and even visit the grave where his heart his buried at St. Michael’s church in nearby Stinsford. Dorchester’s museum also has a permanent exhibition featuring a huge collection of Hardy’s artefacts including drafts of his work and will leave you inspired to write yourself!

Natalie Likness’ love of travel was introduced to her from an early age due to a trip abroad before she was even born! Having close family and making friends across the world, she has continued to travel ever since.