Book excerpt: Dorset is quintessential rural England: rolling hills, thatched houses, narrow, winding lanes and stunning stately homes and gardens. A large part of the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and includes the Jurassic Coast, England's first natural World Heritage Site. Slow Dorset is a personal celebration of what makes Dorset special - an invitation to slow down and enjoy its beauty. The author takes you on a personal journey through the county introducing some of Dorset's best kept secrets and hidden delights including little known walks, cycle rides, pubs, local craftsmen and visitor attractions. Interviews with local artisans and farmers, and contributions from local experts help you to get under the skin of the county. Whether you are looking for fossils around Lyme Regis, taking to horseback for a ride across the exhilarating expanse of Studland Heath,chatting to stallholders at a farmers' market, wandering in the footsteps of Thomas Hardy or walking the South West Coast Path, this book delivers the best of the area with affection and gusto.