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By air
Mainland Europeans may strike it lucky and find a direct flight to Bournemouth Airport, Dorset's very own landing pad. But most migrants will be obliged to use one of the London airports as a springboard.
Bournemouth Dorset's airport recently unveiled plans for a 32 million revamp. But for the time being it's a bit of a lottery as to whether you'll be able to fly in from your home city. The Channel Islands have regular links, and there are occasional services to cities in France, Spain, Italy, Poland and one or two elsewhere.
Bristol Not exactly on the doorstep but closer than London, Bristol is a potential landing point for travellers bound for Dorset. It's a shorter drive than from London, and there's a railway service from Bristol Temple Meads station.
London airports If you're flying in from foreign shores, more than likely you'll be touching base at one of the capital's airports. Heathrow and Gatwick are in the right direction, Luton and Stansted less so. Rail and bus connections link these with London and in some instances direct to Dorset.
By train
Dorset is well served by trains, with three major lines penetrating the county. London Waterloo has links with both Exeter St Davids and Weymouth, with several key stops on the way. The Exeter train passes through Sherborne, whilst the Weymouth service takes a more coastal route through Bournemouth. There is also a service from Bristol to Weymouth, which may come in handy if you're flying to Bristol Airport.
By bus
Buses are generally the most wallet-friendly option, short of thumbing a lift on the roadside. National Express runs direct services from London and Heathrow airport, stopping at towns such as Sherborne and Shaftesbury. Dorset's own bus network covers all the county's towns and most villages, so you shouldn't be stuck for luck.
By car
From London, the main route to Dorset is the A30, which runs all the way to Land's End; the tip of the English boot. Former poet laureate John Betjeman dedicated a mischievous poem to the A30 (although we hope that our readers are not beset by the same romantic problems as the poem's narrator.) Major roads head into Dorset from north, east and west, so make a good map top of your must-have list. | | | | |