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Meet the Alpacas & Warm up in the Cozy Cow Sauna
And this might just be one of our favourite ways to end an autumn or winter day in West Dorset.
Tucked into the Shilvington landscape is the Cozy Cow Sauna, a wood-fired sauna where you can switch off and soak up views across the surrounding countryside.
Private 60-minute sessions can be booked for up to six people and, importantly, you don't need to be staying at Shilvington to use it.
There's a cold shower too, if you're brave enough to alternate between the heat of the sauna and a blast of cold water.
After a day walking around Portesham and the South Dorset Ridgeway, we can't think of many better ways to warm up and switch off.
Or make a weekend of it
If one day in this corner of West Dorset doesn't feel quite long enough, you can stay at Shilvington too.
The farm offers a characterful farm cottage sleeping up to six, alongside glamping and camping options during the appropriate seasons, making it a brilliant base for exploring Portesham, Abbotsbury, Chesil Beach, Weymouth and the wider Jurassic Coast.
It's still very much a working family farm rather than a polished resort – and that's exactly part of its charm.
You can experience life on the farm, enjoy the surrounding countryside and wildlife and use it as a peaceful base for discovering this quieter corner of Dorset.
You can even pick up Shilvington's own Limousin beef and other local produce to take home with you.
Find out more and book your Shilvington experience at shilvington.co.uk.
Address: East Shilvinghampton Farm, East Shilvinghampton, Portesham, Dorset, DT3 4HN
Take an autumn walk around Hardy’s Monument
You can't really talk about Portesham without mentioning one of the area's most recognisable landmarks: Hardy’s Monument.
Standing high above the village on Black Down, the 72ft monument was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy – not the novelist Thomas Hardy, as you might initially assume!
And you don't need to climb the monument itself to make the trip worthwhile.
Its elevated position makes this a fantastic spot for soaking up the Dorset countryside and setting off on a walk. On a clear day, views can stretch for miles across the surrounding landscape and towards the coast.
Visiting with children? Try the National Trust's Mini Explorer Trail, an easy 1.5-mile self-led trail starting at Hardy’s Monument car park. There are nine brass-rubbing checkpoints and activities to complete along the way, making it a lovely way to get little legs outside on a bright autumn or winter day.
Just remember the Dorset countryside can get very muddy at this time of year, so walking boots or wellies are definitely a good idea.
Address: Black Down, Dorchester, DT2 9HY
Explore the spectacular South Dorset Ridgeway
If you fancy going a little further, Portesham is brilliantly placed for exploring the South Dorset Ridgeway.
And this isn't just a beautiful walk.
The landscape here has thousands of years of history beneath your feet. The South Dorset Ridgeway is renowned for its extraordinary concentration of prehistoric archaeology, including Neolithic earthworks and Bronze Age burial mounds.
It's also home to some absolutely spectacular views across the Dorset countryside and towards the coast. It's one of those walks that reminds you just how special this part of Dorset is.
On a crisp, clear autumn or winter day, wrap up, take a flask and spend a few hours exploring. You'll find countryside, coast, wildlife and history all rolled into one.
There are plenty of routes of different lengths in the area too, so you don't necessarily need to commit to an enormous hike to enjoy it.
Warm up with a proper West Dorset pub stop
Country walk followed by a cosy pub? It's practically compulsory at this time of year.
The Kings Arms Portesham sits in the heart of the village and is an ideal place to retreat to once you've worked up an appetite.
The traditional pub serves food alongside a selection of drinks and also has rooms if you'd rather turn your Portesham adventure into an overnight stay.
In fact, if you're serious about earning your lunch, there's a 7.5-mile circular Stones and Circles walking route from the Kings Arms which takes in some of the incredible ancient landscape surrounding the village.
It's a more challenging route with some potentially muddy sections, but you'll be rewarded with historic monuments and spectacular views along the way.
Otherwise, nobody says you have to walk seven miles before you're allowed lunch. We certainly won't judge.
Address: 2 Front St, Portesham, Weymouth, DT3 4ET
Stock up on local goodies at Duck’s Farm Shop
Surely one of the best things about an autumn day out is coming home with a bag full of local food?
Make time for a stop at Duck’s Farm Shop, right in Portesham.
The independent farm shop brings together produce from Dorset farmers and food producers alongside its deli, cheesemonger, pantry and drinks selection.
There's also a café, which makes it a very convenient place to stop for a coffee and something to eat before or after your adventures.
Autumn and winter are made for farm shops, so we'd recommend allowing yourself time for a proper browse.
Pick up something lovely for dinner, find a few Dorset-made treats or simply settle down for coffee and cake.
Address: Bramdon Lane, Portesham, Weymouth, DT3 4HG
Discover Portesham’s ancient secrets
Here's one you might not know about.
The countryside surrounding Portesham contains some fascinating prehistoric sites, making it a brilliant place for anyone who likes a little history with their hike.
Look out for Hampton Stone Circle, an incomplete circle of sarsen stones on Portesham Hill.
Then there's the wonderfully named Hell Stone.
Despite sounding like something designed specifically for Halloween, the Hell Stone is actually the remains of a Neolithic chambered long barrow on Portesham Hill. The surviving site includes a reconstructed stone chamber topped by an enormous capstone.
You can combine several of these historic landmarks into a longer walk around Portesham, so download a route, pull on your boots and go in search of Dorset's ancient past.
There's something particularly atmospheric about exploring this landscape on a misty autumn morning.
Address: Portesham, Weymouth, DT3 4EZ