Paul Knight, head guide at Walk Portland tours
Dating back to the 1700s, Tout Quarry first appears to be just another abandoned Portland quarry – but you'll find more than 100 sculptures hidden within the discarded stone. Look out for the Shrine, A Tear Stone and the Vikings Wreck and at your walk's end sit on the Giants Chair on top of Bogey Cutting for the perfect picture overlooking Lyme Regis to the west and Durlston Castle to the east.
• Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park
Rikey Austin, author and illustrator
Hidden – and I really do mean hidden – behind Lyme Regis post office in what used to be the sorting office, is the most gorgeous little cafe called Penny Black. It's the kind of place where they remember your name and how you take your coffee. The coffee and walnut cake is particularly good – served with clotted cream, of course.
• 37 Broad Street Lyme Regis
Adrian Gray, stone balancer
Walking along the Undercliff coastal path from Lyme Regis to Seaton there's unusual flora, and on a hot summer's day you could be in the depths of a Sumatran jungle – with steam rising from wet vegetation and lianas dangling from the treetops. It feels like a true wilderness, with glimpses of the sea through the branches, and if you stray from the path you feel like the first person to have ever taken those steps. If you're lucky you might even spot the elusive Wild Man of the Undercliff, a bearded woodsman who reportedly lives off the land (and sea).
• For details on how to get there, visit southwestcoastpath.com
Jenni Armstrong, founder of Happy Days Retro Vacations
Love from Hetty and Dave in Pokesdown sell great, quirky vintage pieces. I've bought fantastic cushions there – no two are the same and Zoe, who owns the shop, names them all. We have Melissa the Russian doll cushion made from vintage cherry and polka dot fabric who now lives in Peggy, our Airstream trailer.
• Love from Hetty and Dave
Luke Saxton, traditional builder
Building can be thirsty work so I love to go to the 350-year-old Crown at Ibberton and sit on the leather sofa by the fire with a pint of Butcombe bitter. The food is great too, especially the puddings. Try the delicious treacle tart with ice-cream.
• The Crown Inn, Ibberton,
Stephen Banks, photographer
Durdle Door is perfect for stargazing because there are very few sources of light nearby. The Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye on a clear night. During the summer Durdle Door Holiday Park is open so you can drive to the car park, then walk about a mile along the South West Coast Path. As your eyes adjust, you'll see Durdle Door to your left. For the best views, climb to the next high point along the cliffs and look back towards the Door.
• Durdle Door Holiday Park
Verity Hicks, actress
Bournemouth's Arts by the Sea festival is relatively new so the local talent is fresh and you never know what to expect. The opening weekend is my highlight as everyone is out and about seeing all the free events – everything from film and dance to visual art. As well as performing, I saw some truly amazing things. A highlight for me was a 3D projection light show on the IMAX Waterfront building finishing with a virtual demolition.
• Arts Bournemouth
Hilary Bradt, founder of Bradt Travel Guides
The Giant's Bakery is my name for an extraordinary stretch of beach near Osmington Mills. The South West Coast Path veers inland here but walkers accessing the beach down the lane that runs from the village of Osmington and heading east will find themselves among enormous loaf-shaped grey boulders: cottage loaves, speckled granary domes, and a standard Hovis or two.
• World Heritage South West England
