Corfe Castle is 1.5 miles down the road, and has several good pubs (my favourite for food is The Bankes Arms but The Fox and The Greyhound are also worth a visit and have gardens with a castle view).  There is a National Trust shop and separate tea room with garden below the castle, a traditional sweet shop, bakery and Post Office with Village Store and, not to me missed, The Green Goat Deli on West Street. Do also stop in at Seasons Greens for cards and gifts, and of course visit the castle itself. There is also a mini scale replica of the village at The Model Village.  Of interest to those who read Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five' books, Corfe Castle is thought to be the inspiration behind Kirrin Castle and the much local area is linked to her tales of adventure.  Corfe has a traditional railway station with a steam line to Swanage (fabulous for children and adults), but take it from the park and ride at Norden as parking is very limited in Corfe.

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For the best beach you could possibly ask for, visit Studland, a 20 minute drive form Fossil Cottage.  Here you will find sandy dunes that stretch as far as you can see along to Shell Bay, views of Old Harry Rocks across Studland Bay, and safe shallow waters to swim.  Studland Watersports and Sauna Hut are not to be missed - a sauna and sea swim is both calming and invigorating and operates year round, and they offer all your summer fun on the water.  Find them at Knoll Beach where there is also a National Trust shop and cafe.  

 

Despite being relatively small, Studland has some amazing options to eat out. Just before the toll ferry to Sandbanks, book the Shell Bay Restaurant for any special occasion, where incredible food is served with amazing harbour views.  One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is at The Pig with their outdoor bar and pizza oven and walled kitchen garden - a really tranquil spot with spectacular sea views from the garden, whilst their restaurant is highly acclaimed, and the bar offers an intimate location for drinks.

 

For coffee and take away eats, there is the Sandy Salt Pig Cafe above Middle Beach which feels mediterranean on a sunny day, the Bankes Arms pub (nice for a drink in the garden) or Joe's Cafe on South Beach.  The Old Harry Bar, behind the Village Hall is the local social club, but welcomes all guests and does excellent eat in or take away pizza (take it to the beach!).  Studland also has a riding stables offering cliff top and beach rides.

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The seaside town of Swanage with a sandy beach is 7.5 miles away (n.b. no dogs even on leads in summer) with everything from arcades and crazy golf, to art galleries and coffee shops.  The Narrows, Burnt Toast and Love Cake are all excellent for brunch (and The Narrows and Tawnys do excellent suppers), whilst Love Cake and Chococo Chocolate Shop & Cafe are the best places to go for coffee and sweet treats.  For food shopping, Swanage has a CoOp and Budgens, and JJ Moores the butcher is good for meat.

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Durlston Country Park is just north of Swanage, with spectacular sea views and Anvil Point Lighthouse, and is one of my favourite places to walk. It is also the start of the Jurassic Coast.

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Kimmeridge bay with Clavell's Tower and the Etches Fossil museum showing David Attenborough's pliosaurus is 4 miles from Fossil Cottage. Sunsets are spectacular here.

Clavells Restaurant (opposite the museum) offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Wareham is 6 miles and has a riverside market on Saturdays.  I recommend Christies Beauty Salon for nails and massage, and for food or just cake, The Bear Bar & Restaurant is the best place in Wareham.  Do visit Wareham's amazing original cinema, The Rex. Wareham has Sainsbury's for food shopping and a small Co-Op. 

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For activity days out with children, there is Studland Watersports on Knoll Beach, or try the inflatable water assault course at Dorset Adventure Park in Corfe.  Monkey World and The Tank Museum are also a short drive away, as well as Langhams Vineyard and Sculpture on the Lakes towards Dorchester.

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Pack your walking shoes!  The South West coast path is especially wonderful here, with some incredible cliff top walks.  For round walks, go from Worth Matravers to Winspit caves, then along the coast path to St Aldhems Chapel and back in land from Chapman's Pool.  A shorter walk to Chapman's Pool can be done from Kingston, with amazing views as you walk down the valley to the sea but beware that part of the coast path has slipped in to the sea here.

 

Visit the extraordinary abandoned village at Tyneham and walk down to Worbarrow Bay, or if you want a challenging but spectacular all day walk, go on as far as Lulworth Cove (take water and supplies!).  And from Fossil Cottage, you can take the ridge along to Corfe Castle, and come back up the valley.​