Dorset is one of those places which almost has too much to see. From the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast to inland beauty spots and quaint villages, the list of places to visit in this county in England’s southwest can almost be overwhelming. If only there were a way to get a tour of the area that would take in sights of interest of all kinds, covering a large area, without taking days to complete! We have just the thing: a helicopter flight.

With cruising speeds of over 100 miles per hour and the unique ability to hover in place on command, there’s no better vehicle for sightseeing than a helicopter. This means that you can zip between points of interest in a fraction of the time it would take you if you were travelling by road and then observe them at your leisure. Even if sightseeing isn’t your thing, might still be your vehicle of choice. Anyone looking for a thrilling experience that allows them to live out a childhood fantasy should come here and take part in a trial lesson. That’s right, you can pilot one of these aircraft yourself, learning the basics of the controls in the cockpit and getting a taste of the glamorous lifestyle of a pilot. Best of all, these experiences don’t come with prohibitively high price tag, they are a treat for anyone and everyone.

Where to do a helicopter tour in Dorset?

Sightseeing tours through the Dorset skies begin at two locations. You’ll either take off from Bournemouth international airport in the east of the county, or Modbury Farm airfield near Bridport in west of the county.

• Bournemouth: This is the largest urban area in the mostly rural county, but it has the benefit of its location, along miles and miles of long sandy beaches. At the eastern tip of these beaches is Hengistbury Head, a promontory with archeological significance which marks the entrance to the straits of the Solent. Behind the beach is Christchurch, an attractive historic town with a mediaeval priory.

• Poole Harbour: The other limit of Bournemouth beach is the entrance to Poole Harbour. This is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and contains numerous islands, including Brownsea Island which is famous for its red squirrel and waterbird populations and importance to the scouting movement. On one side of the harbour, you can peer down onto the homes of the rich and famous in the Sandbanks neighbourhood, while the other side is characterised by the dunes and beaches of the Studland peninsula.

• Jurassic Coast: Stretching for 100 miles along the south coast, this World Heritage Site starts at the white cliffs and stacks of Old Harry Rocks. From here, it’s a series of cliffs and coves, where the ancient past reveals itself in the form of dinosaur fossils, and the human past is visible in old quarries and clifftop fortifications. One of the highlights is Durdle Door, a perfect rock arch which erupts from the cliffs and into the sea.

• Chesil Beach: Billions of small rocks make up this 18 mile long shingle beach. It separates the sea from a lagoon which is an important habitat for waterbirds and migrating birds, and connects the island of Portland to the mainland.

• Lyme regis: Beyond Chesil Beach, the coastline is characterised by cliffs again, and it’s in the cliffs around Lyme Regis that some of the best fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast can be enjoyed. The town is known as the Pearl of Dorset for its fossils, but also for the surrounding scenery which includes Golden Cap, the highest cliff in the south of England.

• Isle of Wight: A constant feature of much of a coastal tour is the Isle of Wight, as the bright white rock of the cliffs is visible for miles on a clear day. At the westerly tip of the island, the cliffs fall away into a series of jagged rocks known as the needles, which, along with Hengistbury Head, are the gateway to the Solent.

Options for organising a ride

- If you want to see all of the highlights of the Dorset coast on a helicopter panormaic or pleasure flight, you’ll need to be in the air for about 1 hour. Shorter tours are also available, and you can still cover 45 miles in just 25 minutes, or 25 miles in 15 minutes. For the most timid flyers, there’s the opportunity to get a taste for a helicopter ride without worrying about a long journey, a 5 minute buzz.

- Taking a trial lesson is your chance to do something that we’re sure you’ve always dreamed of. You’ll be taken into the skies by your instructor and then learn how to pilot the helicopter on a dual control system. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll take full control for part of the flight. Trial lessons are available at Bournemouth International Airport and include either 30 or 60 minutes of airtime.

Requirements to do this activity

The helicopter lifestyle is pretty exclusive, so you’ll have to choose your flight companions carefully. Most tours take place in a Robinson R44, which is a 4 seater model. One of those seats is, of course, reserved for the pilot, so you can take two people with you. There’s also a Eurocopter EC120. Apart from its sleek design and distinctive fenestron tail rotor, its comfortable cabin has 5 seats, so there’s space for an extra passenger.

You can take the kids with you on a tour. From just 2 years old, youngsters are welcome on board but, as you might expect, they must be accompanied by adults. Finally, we have to mention that they’re are weight limits in place which ensure that flights can go ahead safely. The maximum weight for each seat in the craft is 18 stone or 115 kilograms.

To enjoy this region from the air, you have to choose one of these aircraft. Book it once, and remember it forever!