Discover Shave Cross and Langton Herring

Close to Bridport and Weymouth, the small villages of Shave Cross and Langton Herring make a great base for your Dorset getaway...

Shave Cross

Why is Shave Cross called Shave Cross you might ask? This small hamlet, a 10-minute drive from Bridport, in the beautiful Marshwood Vale, was once a stopping place for monks on their way to St Wite’s shrine in Whitchurch Canonicorum and is where they would have had their tonsures shaved.  The Inn, which stands at the crossroads where the tonsure shaving took place, has been there since the 14th century and is still very popular today.  Don’t worry though, you will leave with a full head of hair! 

Allviews Cottage is located in Shave Cross and is the perfect holiday cottage for a family.  Spacious, with lots of character and a large enclosed garden.  The views across the Marshwood Vale are fantastic, and there are lots of lovely walks across the fields, or up Pilsdon Pen, the second-highest point in Dorset, and the location of an Iron Age fort.

At Allviews, you have the best of both worlds; you are surrounded by beautiful Dorset countryside, but are also just a short drive to the World Heritage Jurassic coastline at Charmouth and Lyme Regis, perfect for fossil hunting or just a day on the beach.  Bridport is the closest town, and has something going on all the time, from the hat festival, to the busy schedule of cultural events at the Electric Palace or the Arts Centre.  There is a street market on a Wednesday and Saturday, lots of interesting shops to peruse and some great cafes.  See if you can find the Red Brick Café in the vintage quarter!

Langton Herring

Langton Herring is the picture perfect Dorset village.  Sandstone houses, some of which are thatched, and an interesting history of smuggling!  From the village, you can walk to the fleet and enjoy  fabulous views of the world famous Chesil Beach.  For anyone who has read ‘Moonfleet’ this is location, and at night it’s certainly easy to imagine rum-running and plunder!  Please remember that the water off Chesil is very dangerous, and so swimming is not permitted.

The village has a popular local pub, The Elm Tree, which is a short walk from Badgers Cottage.

Just 5 miles away is the popular seaside town of Weymouth, with one of the best sandy beaches in Dorset.  The beach is very child safe, and there are lots of things to do in and around the town.  The Chesil Beach café/visitor centre on Ferry Bridge Road, Portland is a great place to learn more about the fleet, and maybe even join in on one of the fleet explorer activities.  The café also has webcams underwater, and so you can watch Seabass and other fish whilst you eat! 

Langton Herring is a great base from which to explore the Jurassic coast.  A short drive west along one of the UK’s most iconic roads (B3157), is Abbotsbury, location of the Sub-tropical gardens, swannery and children’s farm.  Keep going and you’ll reach Burton Bradstock, home of the Hive Beach Café, which is then just a short drive from the ‘Broadchurch’ cliffs at West Bay.