About Henderson's Dorset
Hello! I am Rachel Henderson, founder of Henderson's Dorset.
I have lived in the Dorset all my life and love the county which has always been my home. I started my walking career before I could even walk, being carried over hill and vale by my parents who were keen walkers and founder members of The Dorset Wildlife Trust. Inspired by their love of Dorset, walking and all things wild, I have spent a lifetime exploring the hidden corners of the county.
Today, I personally oversee every itinerary we create. Whether you’re here for an inn-to-inn walking holiday, a day tour or a carefully paced Dorset escape, I’ll make sure you experience the county at its best, with the local knowledge that turns a good trip into a truly memorable one. We can't wait to meet you!
Dorset is seasonal, so your holiday should be too.
Dorset changes with the seasons and therefore so too should your Dorset escape. What might be the best thing to do in June, may not be the best thing in September and that is where our expertise and knowledge come in to play.
Choose a holiday or let us build one around you.
We offer a range of Dorset holidays that showcase the coast and countryside and each can be tailored to suit your pace, interests and schedule. If you’re not sure where to start, just tell us what you love and we’ll shape a plan that fits. Whether it’s beaches, birds, butterflies, beer or brunch, we know the best places!
Getting around (and how involved you want us to be).
We don't arrange flights but we do offer airport and station transfers as well as chauffeured cars during your stay through our travel partners Cross Country Cabs, all of whose vehicles are comfortable E-Class Mercedes which are kept in immaculate condition. If you prefer to be more independent, then we are happy just to organise your itinerary and provide you with maps, directions, guides and visitor information and send you on your way each day, safe in the knowledge that you are getting the best out of your stay.
Accommodation you can trust.
We work with some of the county’s best hotels and inns, and we regularly inspect rooms and restaurants to ensure they continue to meet our standards. Most of our suggested bases are centrally located for easy access to Dorset’s highlights, but we can recommend (or work with) accommodation in any area you prefer. Already booked your own place? No problem! We can simply plan your days and handle the details. Whatever suits you best suits us too.
We'll make planning simple, even if it's your first time in the UK.
About Our Walking Holidays
Here at Henderson’s Dorset, we are passionate about the wonderful walking our county has to offer. From the world-famous Jurassic Coast to the little known hills and valleys of West Dorset, we know the best routes after a lifetime of exploring the countryside around us on foot.
You can choose from one of our set itineraries or we can work with you to create something unique to you.
We will always be on hand to help and, as we are based locally, you can be sure that there is someone nearby whatever you need. We will provide you with a comprehensive walker’s pack prior to your holiday which will contain easily followed written instructions (with photographs), maps and local information, from where to get the best afternoon tea to local folklore, myths and legends, all in a waterproof cover (after all, this is England!).
We will also provide digital GPX files, or our routes can be followed on the Ordnance Survey app. We will talk to you about what will work best for you whilst we are organising your trip, to ensure that you have the materials you need to navigate your route successfully. We will also recommend the best places to eat, interesting places to stop and the best spot for your picnic, which we will provide each day. These will be created using local, artisanal produce and you will be offered a menu to choose from.
If you are walking a long-distance trail, we will transfer your luggage each day and ensure that it reaches your destination before you do. If you are on a single-centre walking holiday, then we will transport you to and from your walking route each day. We handle all of the transfers ourselves, so you won’t need to worry about getting to trains or buses and we can even collect you from the airport.
Protecting Your Money
All of our packages are protected by a specialist travel trust fund, so you can book safe in the knowledge that your money is kept in a trust account until you have completed your holiday. You will be able to log into your account online to see its status and check on your funds at any time.
Payment
A non-refundable deposit of £150 per person is required at the time of booking and the balance of payment must be made in full no later than eight weeks before the start of the holiday. Deposit payments can be made by credit or debit card or bank transfer. Subsequent payments must be made directly into a third party, specialist trust account and you will be provided with a link to your account so that you can make your payment directly when it is due.
For more information on our payment and cancellation policies, please visit our Terms and Conditions page.
Please note that as part of our booking terms, we require every member of your party to have travel insurance that must cover hill walking, medical treatment and repatriation where relevant.
About Our Dorset Escapes
As we mentioned, nobody knows Dorset better than us! So let us arrange your escape to Dorset, whatever you would like it to include. You can choose from one of our thoughtfully designed tours, or we can work with you to create something completely tailored to you. We’re happy to arrange as much or as little as you’d like, from simply providing a well-planned itinerary to offering daily transport in a Mercedes E-Class with a personal guide. If you’d like to explore what might work best for you, just send us a brief wish list and we’ll come back to you with a suggested itinerary.
Protecting Your Money
All of our packages are protected by a specialist travel trust fund, so you can book safe in the knowledge that your money is kept in a trust account until you have completed your holiday. You’ll be able to log in online at any time to view your account and check the status of your funds.
Payment
A non-refundable deposit of £150 per person is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance payable no later than eight weeks before your holiday begins. Deposit payments can be made by credit or debit card, or by bank transfer. Any subsequent payments are made directly into a third-party specialist trust account, and you’ll be provided with a secure link to make payment when it’s due.
For more information on our payment and cancellation policies, please visit our Terms and Conditions page.
Please note that as part of our booking terms, we require all overseas visitors to have travel insurance that must cover medical treatment and repatriation.
About Our Day Walks
We only offer a few guided day walks a year which prove very popular and get booked up quite quickly. We list our walks at the beginning of the year and add dates as and when demand is high. Click on the button below to see the current guided walks on offer or enquire to see whether we have more coming up when you are visiting.
Payment
A deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking. The balance of payment must be made in full no later than 1 week before the date of the walk.
For more information on our payment and cancellation policies, please visit our Terms and Conditions page.
About Our Day Tours
Our day tours are priced for a Mercedes E-Class car and up to four passengers, with a well-informed, local guide. Choose from our selection of tours or contact us to discuss a tour tailored to your requirements.
Payment
A deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking. The balance of payment must be made in full no later than 1 week before the date of the tour.
For more information on our payment and cancellation policies, please visit our Terms and Conditions page.
