OK, after a ton of movies and TV shows about Jurassic everything and people jumping off sea wall structures in Lyme Regis and Martin Clunes and his wonderful horses and dogs, I have decided that my next trip "over" is going to include a stay in Dorset. Will have a rental car and have chosen a "country" hotel (with an indoor pool and spa no less). I have a ton of ideas as to what to see but any suggestions would be appreciated. I am doing this in early May of this year. Thanks to all in advance and as I always do I will comment and thank those along the way of this thread.

May be a bit late for you but
https://www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk/
Lulworth; I've talked to you about this.
https://www.dorsetopera.com/ July is too late for you
https://poundbury.co.uk/ might interest
Then if you want to see a really old castle with the whole Dorset vibe there is https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryM...Maiden-Castle/
Or Corfe castle is still standing ( a bit modern) https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/vis...t/corfe-castle
https://www.dorsetblue.com/ cheese
https://www.moores-biscuits.co.uk/sh...y/dorset-knobs an aquired taste
Wareham might interesthttps://www.visit-dorset.com/explore/areas-to-visit/wareham/

Which hotel, it makes a difference as the roads are very slow throughout the county?

^^^ This. Could make a big difference what is doable as day trips. It can easily take 2 hours to get from one side of the county to the other.

I will reply in detail after reading the first response above. As to the Hotel: The Summer Lodge in/near Evershot which I suppose some would call "the boonies"

Yes, Artweeks is later than I plan to be there (2-7 May); thanks for the Poundbury info. Any castle "still standing" is something to consider. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Janisj, in terms of "getting across the county" It is for me called "getting up early." Am sure these roads will be as interesting as some of those in the Cotswolds were last I was up there. Something to look forward to compared to the "traffic" I deal with daily. Thanks for your reply.

Just quick -- The hotel is in a pretty good location for everything on the western side of the County and even into parts of South Devon. It looks very nice

boondocks, that is really out there, lots of villages with three names, a sure sign of Dorset boondocks

yes - definitely boondocks

Many thanks to both of you for your comments I am looking forward to this trip and did not want to spend the entire time in London. Hoping for decent weather it just being there is half the fun

https://abbotsburyswannery.co.uk/ might amuse, to understand all of this you need to know about who owns swans in the UK

I’m not sure if you are a reader? Because Dorset always puts me in mind of some marvellous books and authors.
First has to be Thomas Hardy - you can visit his birthplace and also Max Gate where he lived in later life.
Ian McEwan - Chesil Beach (the book and the place).
Enid Blyton - Secret Seven, Famous Five, Kirrin Island etc
Lyme Regis - The Cobb - Jane Austen and John Fowles.
Burgh Island is South Devon (Agatha Christie connections). I’d kill to visit the gorgeous Art Deco hotel on the island.
Shaftesbury is a very pretty village famed for Gokden Hill used in one of the most famous adverts of all time (Hovis bread!).

The swannery is great. In May they should be nesting but not hatched yet. The first egg of the year was laid this week:
Corfe Castle is great.

Kingston Lacy National Trust house is nice but at the opposite ned of the county - but could be a stop off on your way there assuming you're driving from London or points east.

If you're at all interested in Thomas Hardy, there's his birthplace in Lower Bockhampton close to Dorchester, and his later home Max Gate in Dorchester itself. The birthplace cottage is rather sweet in its own right.

T.E. Lawrence's cottage, Clouds Hill, is in Dorset. Haven't managed to get there yet. Actually, there's a whole "Lawrence of Arabia" trail in Dorset, but that presupposes an interest in him.

I know who owns the ones swimming in the Thames

Thanks to all who have replied with suggestions. I am not as much of a reader as I probably should be but Hardy occupies a special place in my heart for various reasons best unexplained. Yes, I am driving from London so will keep Lacy National Trust in mind as I enjoy visiting such places/houses/etc. And the whole bunch of swans thing is REALLY appealing so thanks especially for that suggestion.

You'll also find a William Barnes in Dorchester who was a dialect poet for the area (my distant ancestor, probably)

Just saw this. My TR including Dorset is a bit old but may still be helpful: England and Wales by public transport

Go fossilising on Charmouth beach East of the river. Do not climb the cliffs though as very dangerous. You can pick up fossils from the beach. Great interpretation centre at Charmouth too.