11 Places in Dorset That You Shouldn't Miss is an illustrated talk offering a whirlwind tour of some of Karen and Jeni's favourite quirky locations from their book. From Thomas Hardy legends to potato caves, and plenty more in between.
As well as quirky places, Karen and Jeni will offer insight into the writing, research and adventures that went into the creation of '111 Places in Dorset That You Shouldn't Miss'.
Tickets £8 and include Tea & Coffee. Buy online here.
Or buy from our shop in Trinity Street, Dorchester - 07424 619496
111 Places in Dorset That You Shouldn’t Miss by Jeni Bell and Karen Heaney
Dorset doesn’t have any motorways. Or cities. Or major industries.
We do have railways – but don’t expect high speed intercity connections. But these are the reasons why the county is so appealing: The pace of life is slower, the people friendlier, the views more unspoiled. The county is a magnet for creative types: artisan food producers, eco-preneurs, artists and craftspeople who are quietly building businesses in small towns and villages, tucked away in back lanes and converted farm buildings.
Whether you’re a local, a seasoned traveller or first-time visitor, beautiful, quirky Dorset will surprise and delight you. This guide will introduce you to 111 off-the-beaten track (and sometimes off-the-wall) locations that make this slice of the West Country a wonderful place to live and a great place to visit.
Pick flowers in the grounds of a ruined abbey. Watch the summer solstice at a mini Stonehenge. Spot badgers in fancy dress. Buy wobbly bread from a post office. Moon-bathe in a beach-side sauna. Or fill your boots at a dry dock. There's truly something for everyone.
Karen Heaney
After two decades of living and working in London as a copywriter and editor, Karen Heaney turned her back on the corporate world and relocated to West Dorset. Determined to pursue a more creative writing career, she enrolled in the Nature and Travel Writing MA course at Bath Spa University and was shortlisted in the Countryfile New Nature Writer of the Year competition. She now works as a freelance writer, with a particular interest in how past generations have shaped the landscape. Karen is the co-author of 111 Places in Dorset You Shouldn’t Miss, published in 2025, and in her non-writing hours she loves walking the drove roads and back lanes of her adopted county.
Jeni Bell
Jeni Bell is an award-winning writer inspired by nature and place and how it speaks to us through its wildlife, history, and folklore. Her work has been featured in a variety of publications including Guardian Country Diary, British Wildlife Magazine, The Simple Things, Wiltshire Life and Jawbone Journal, as well as being featured on local radio by BBC Upload. Jeni is also the co-author of 111 Places in Dorset That You Shouldn’t Miss which was published in 2025. Based on the county lines of Wiltshire, Dorset, and Hampshire she is happiest walking in the woods and spending time in her campervan.