Guidebook for Dorset
Sightseeing
Fantastic National Trust stately home and gardens. Great for cream teas!
16 locals recommend
Kingston Lacy Estate
Blandford RoadFantastic National Trust stately home and gardens. Great for cream teas!
Gateway to Cranborne Close, nationally recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Cranborne
Gateway to Cranborne Close, nationally recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Martin Down National Nature Reserve
Iron Age fort, and National Nature Reserve
House visits at selected times; tea in the garden throughout the summer.
13 locals recommend
Cranborne Garden Centre
Wimborne StreetHouse visits at selected times; tea in the garden throughout the summer.
Iron Age fort. Circular walk along the defensive mounds, from which you can see three counties and the sea (on a clear day)
35 locals recommend
Badbury Rings
Blandford RoadIron Age fort. Circular walk along the defensive mounds, from which you can see three counties and the sea (on a clear day)
Much more cosmopolitain than you might think, and with wonderful beaches and a 7 mile walk along the prom.
262 locals recommend
Bournemouth
Much more cosmopolitain than you might think, and with wonderful beaches and a 7 mile walk along the prom.
Corfe Castle
Major historic relic, with great views to the Jurassic Coast
An amazing building in the quintessential English country town.
199 locals recommend
Winchester Cathedral
9 The ClAn amazing building in the quintessential English country town.
Salisbury Cathedral
Another stunning cathedral, immortalised by Constable.
County town of Dorset with a local museum featuring a fine collection of Hardy memorabilia.
131 locals recommend
Dorchester
County town of Dorset with a local museum featuring a fine collection of Hardy memorabilia.
Chesil Beach
A massive shingle beach enclosing a long seawater lagoon.
Lymington
A charming, scenic harbour town in the New Forest
It's a day trip on the ferry, and step back in time once you get there. Plus the scenery is quite beautiful.
55 locals recommend
Isle of Wight
It's a day trip on the ferry, and step back in time once you get there. Plus the scenery is quite beautiful.
Parks & Nature
From Old Harry Rocks, you can walk the Coast as far as Devon if you have the time. A World Heritage Site.
194 locals recommend
Jurassic Coast
From Old Harry Rocks, you can walk the Coast as far as Devon if you have the time. A World Heritage Site.
Undiscovered chalk downland with many stunning footpaths and bridleways.
8 locals recommend
Cranborne Chase AONB
B3081Undiscovered chalk downland with many stunning footpaths and bridleways.
Wonderful clifftop views of the Isle of Wight and the English Channel. The easternmost part of the Jurassic Cost. Afterwards, have lunch at the Bankes Arms.
152 locals recommend
Old Harry Rocks
Wonderful clifftop views of the Isle of Wight and the English Channel. The easternmost part of the Jurassic Cost. Afterwards, have lunch at the Bankes Arms.
Arts & Culture
Bournemouth International Centre
Exeter RoadGreat shows, year round.
Local arts centre, kept running very efficiently by the community. Movies, music, and other entertainments.
16 locals recommend
The Tivoli Theatre
19 West BoroughLocal arts centre, kept running very efficiently by the community. Movies, music, and other entertainments.
Tower Park
Yarrow RoadMultiplex cinema, plus shops and chain restaurants.
T E Lawrence's final home - his last motor bike ride started from here.
32 locals recommend
Clouds Hill
King George V RoadT E Lawrence's final home - his last motor bike ride started from here.
Acclaimed national orchestra, often playing at the Bournemouth International Centre and other regional venues.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
2 Seldown LnAcclaimed national orchestra, often playing at the Bournemouth International Centre and other regional venues.
Local arts centre, for theatre, film, music and other cultural events.
53 locals recommend
Lighthouse, Poole's Centre For The Arts
21 Kingland RdLocal arts centre, for theatre, film, music and other cultural events.
Clouds Hill
King George V RoadT E Lawrence's last home - a National Trust property.
An unexpectedly interesting day out, with genuinely awesome hardware, and some remarkably sensitive stories of the lives of tank crews.
247 locals recommend
The Tank Museum
Linsay RoadAn unexpectedly interesting day out, with genuinely awesome hardware, and some remarkably sensitive stories of the lives of tank crews.
The former home of Thomas Hardy and is located on the outskirts of Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was designed and built by Thomas Hardy for his own use in 1885 and he lived there until his death in 1928.
16 locals recommend
Max Gate
The former home of Thomas Hardy and is located on the outskirts of Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was designed and built by Thomas Hardy for his own use in 1885 and he lived there until his death in 1928.
Food Scene
The Stocks Inn
Rural inn, 5 minutes walk from the house. Well kept English ales and good pub food.
The Old Inn
Holt LaneA slightly longer walk than the Stocks, but another good local inn.
The Horns Inn
Burt's HillA slightly longer walk than the Stocks, but another good local inn.
Barley Mow Inn
Long LaneAnother good local inn.
The Jetty
95 MudefordWonderful food in a brilliant setting.
Les Mirabelles
Forest RoadAn authentic French restaurant in the heart of the New Forest.
An upscale beach cafe, that converts to a great restaurant come evening. A walk along the promenade will whet your appetite!
31 locals recommend
Bistro On The Beach
Southbourne Coast RoadAn upscale beach cafe, that converts to a great restaurant come evening. A walk along the promenade will whet your appetite!
One of our very best local restaurants - book early, particularly at weekends.
21 locals recommend
The Tickled Pig
26 West BoroughOne of our very best local restaurants - book early, particularly at weekends.
Number 9
9 West BoroughA great little restaurant in Wimborne. Well worth a visit.
Bull Inn Wimborne St Giles
Great food -- but weekends only at present. booking essential.
Great for a pub lunch after a walk at Badbury Rings, and lovely evening service too.
7 locals recommend
Anchor Inn Shapwick
West StreetGreat for a pub lunch after a walk at Badbury Rings, and lovely evening service too.
A pub restaurant owned by the Gussage All Saints village cooperative. A warm welcome at any time!
The Drovers
A pub restaurant owned by the Gussage All Saints village cooperative. A warm welcome at any time!
The Langton Arms
Gastro-pub in the lovely, remote village of Tarrant Monkton.
The Museum Inn
Top class gastro-pub, well worth the drive.
Essentials
Waitrose & Partners
311-313 Ashley RdExcellent supermarket.
Nearest ATM, within 5 minutes walk, plus a post office, with a good quality convenience store attached.
Cashpoint
Smugglers' LaneNearest ATM, within 5 minutes walk, plus a post office, with a good quality convenience store attached.
Furzehill Village Store and Post Office
Smugglers' Lane(Almost) everything you need, a five minute walk away.
Entertainment & Activities
Yoga on the Beach
2494 Undercliff DrWe haven't tried the yoga, but the beaches at Bournemouth are spectacular...
Durdle Door
A great picnic spot after a clifftop walk from Lulworth Cove.
Lulworth Cove
Pretty fishing cove with great swimming from the beach.
Knoll Beach Studland
Long, wide sandy beaches - perfect for a picnic breakfast.
The cliff that featured heavily in ITV's Broadchurch. The series used many locations around Harbour Cliff.
167 locals recommend
West Bay
The cliff that featured heavily in ITV's Broadchurch. The series used many locations around Harbour Cliff.
Athelhampton House and Gardens
Athelhampton Road15th Century Tudor manor house.
Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World
Kids love it!
A great day out, with an excellent collection of vintage wheels.
197 locals recommend
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
A great day out, with an excellent collection of vintage wheels.
Remedy Oak Golf Course
Horton RoadExcellent local golf course.
An absolute thrill, with some coaching before you let rip on the ocean!
11 locals recommend
Jetski Safaris
40 Salterns WayAn absolute thrill, with some coaching before you let rip on the ocean!
Good local centre with a nice indoor pool, good gyms and several classes every day
Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre
Blandford RoadGood local centre with a nice indoor pool, good gyms and several classes every day
Drinks & Nightlife
Not exactly a bar, but one of the most unusual pubs in the UK. You have to try it, before or after a bracing cliff walk.
92 locals recommend
The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversNot exactly a bar, but one of the most unusual pubs in the UK. You have to try it, before or after a bracing cliff walk.
The Vine Inn
Vine HillAnother quirky local pub, with good beer and a dedicated clientele.