Sir George Somers (1554-1610)

Sir George Somers, the 'discoverer' of Bermuda (at least as far as the English are concerned) was from Dorset. A true Elizabethan adventurer, his exploits seem sadly forgotten in his native county. His heart is buried in St. George's (after his death from a 'surfeit of pork'), but the rest of him is to be found in Whitchurch Canonicorum. He was born in Lyme Regis, and later became the town's Mayor. He was one of Sir Walter Raleigh's captains and had a lucrative career attacking Spanish ships - from the spoils of which he was able to buy Berne Manor.

Scroll down to see some photos of Lyme Regis and Whitchurch Canonicorum taken during a recent trip by Paul Belford and Kate Page-Smith.