AbbotsburyAthelhamptonBeaminsterBlandford ForumBournemouthBridportCerne AbbasChristchurchDorchesterEast LulworthFiddlefordGillinghamHighcliffeHigher BockhamptonKingston RussellKnowltonLyme RegisPoolePorteshamPortlandShaftesburySherborneSturminster MarshallSwanageVerwoodWarehamWeymouthWimborneWimborne MinsterWinterbourne Abbas
Part of a monastic building, perhaps the abbot's lodging, of Bendictine Abbotsbury abbey. St Catherine's Chapel is within half a mile....
History of the Farm and Barn Benedictine Monks established St Peter's Monastery at Abbotsbury in the 1040s. They built the Tithe Barn at the centre of the farm in the 1390's. The monastery was destroyed in 1539 during the dissolution. Some of ...
Early History Established in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle. Developed since then into a magnificent 20 acre garden filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Many of these pl...
Abbotsbury Swannery is unique. This is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans. The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 104...
Adventure Wonderland, opposite Bournemouth Airport, is Dorset's number one family theme park and when you get here you'll see why! It's just packed full of so much fun and excitement for all our young visitors that you'll want to stay all day.
It'...
All Fired Up Ceramics Cafe offers a wide range of ceramic items that can be hand painted, ranging from plates, mugs, piggy banks and flower pots. Let your children's creative side explode!...
A chine is a steep dry river valley and Alum Chine is the largest of four Chines within Bournemouth. Alum Chine and Argyll Gardens offers shaded paths; the popular Treasure Island themed children's play area (author Robert Louis Stephenson lived c...
This is an unusual and special landscape where you can enjoy a vast expanse of open heathland and old oak woodland. Arne is a fantastic place for family walks at any time of year and we have regular children's days that enable all the family to learn...
Athelhampton House and its estate and gardens have been in private ownership for over five hundred years. We thank you for your interest which will help to ensure that Athelhampton will continue to flourish. We offer a range of facilities for all our...
Bennetts Water Gardens is a visitor attraction in Dorset. Set over 8 acres the garden holds National and International Collections of Water Lilies with a Monet style Japanese Bridge, Tropical House, Woodland Walks and Museum. The gardens offer a uniq...
Bridport is a small town nestled amongst the hills of West Dorset, which became one of the most important towns in the realm. It is a town with many stories, glorious and infamous, celebrated and neglected, rich and poor. Bridport's is believed to be...
Peaceful island of woodland and heath with wide variety of wildlife. Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole harbour, offering spectacular views across to Studland, Old Harry Rocks and the Purbeck Hills. It offers a peaceful, natural settin...
A huge outline sculpted into the chalk hillside above the village of Cerne Abbas representing a naked, sexually aroused, club-wielding giant.
Public perceptions are wide-ranging, is he smutty, humorous or offensive? Certainly he has been used to ...
This stunning Queen Anne house was commissioned by the Chafin family and designed by Thomas Archer in 1710 to replace their Elizabethan manor house. It is reputed that the house took 25 years to build, with all the materials coming from the neighbour...
Benedictine Monks established St Peter's Monastery at Abbotsbury in the 1040s. They built the Tithe Barn in the 1390's. The monastery was destroyed in 1539 during the dissolution. Some of the ruins can be seen around St. Nicholas' Church in the villa...
The remains of Christchurch Castle include parts of the mound-top keep, and more unusually the 12th-century riverside chamber block or 'Constable's House'. This very early example of domestic architecture includes a rare Norman chimney....
There has been a church on this site since around 800 A.D.
The present building was begun in 1094 by Ranulf Flambard and has since been in continuous use as a place of prayer and pilgrimage.
Visitors never fail to be amazed to find such a beaut...
The rural retreat of T. E. Lawrence. T. E. Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia') bought this tiny isolated brick and tile cottage in 1925. The austere rooms are much as he left them and reflect his complex personality and close links with the Middle East. ...
Compton Acres invites you to escape to a different world. The new Compton Acres has more features than ever before. Compton Acres was built in 1929 and is a wonderful example of a historic garden in the UK. It is of late Victorian Mixed Style design ...
Thousand-year-old castle rising above the Isle of Purbeck. One of Britain's most majestic ruins, the castle controlled the gateway through the Purbeck Hills and has been an important stronghold since the time of William the Conqueror. Defended during...
Actual fossils, dinosaur skeletons, and life-size dinosaur reconstructions combine with multimedia, hands on, computer and CD-ROM displays to excite, enthral, and entertain the visitor. The Dinosaur Museum has been extensively featured on television ...
The Jurassic rocks of Lyme Regis have been famous for fossils since Mary Anning discovered the first Ichthyosaur in 1811.
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is housed in a magnificent grade 1 listed building which was once the church where Mary Anning was...
Don't miss Edward Bear and his people-sized family of bears in this delightful museum. From the earliest teddies, of 100 years ago, to today's TV favourites, they're all waiting to greet you at this enchanting family museum. Teddy Bear lovers of all ...
Durlston Country Park, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 280 acre countryside paradise, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. With stunning views, walking trails, the historic Gr...
Family owned & run Farmer Palmers has been specially designed for families with children 8 years and under. A fun and busy day, guaranteed to send the children home tired and happy.
Even if it's raining much is undercover which makes for a fun fil...
Part of a medieval manor house, featuring a remarkable interior. The 600-year-old roofs of the hall and upper living room boast collar-beam trusses and timberwork of great complexity....
Garston Wood Nature Reserve ancient wood is at its best when its breathtaking carpets of bluebells, wood anemones and primroses are in bloom (mid-April to the end of May). Look for signs of badgers and fallow deer. There are common woodland birds ...
The Museum tells the story of the town, the immediate parishes and their people. Over a thousand generations have seen this corner of the Blackmore Vale grow from a Neolithic settlement to the bustling Gillingham of today.
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Local life and history are portrayed here through artifacts, costume, photos, ceramics, tools, domestic items and the town's first fire engine.
Marvel at the intricate Dorset buttons on display, and the "Byzant", a gold-coloured festival totem th...
Monument to Vice-Admiral Hardy. The monument was erected in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. It stands on the crest of Black Down, from where there are glorious ...
Birthplace of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy. Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in this small cob and thatch cottage and from here he would walk to school every day in Dorchester, three miles away. It was built by his great-grandfather and is little alte...
Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed building which was built between 1831 and 1835 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. It has been described as 'the most important remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture.'
The Castle was ...
Elegant country mansion with important collections, set in attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland. Home of the Bankes family for over 300 years, having replaced the ruined family seat at Corfe Castle, this 17th-century house was radically a...
The contemporary parkland and pleasure gardens were laid out in the 'Jardin Anglais' style popularised by Capability Brown. Simplicity was the hallmark of the gardens which consisted of rolling turf, carefully placed groups of trees, a lake and a lak...
A late Neolithic or early Bronze Age circle of 18 fallen stones, on a hilltop overlooking Abbotsbury and the sea....
The siting of this ruined medieval church at the centre of a Neolithic ritual henge earthwork symbolises the transition from pagan to Christian worship....
The UK's newest and most exhilarating Laser Quest Centre! Whether your're 6 or 66 you'll love the adrenaline pumping exhilarating of stalking your opponents and unleashing a volley of Laser Fire in the Battle-Zone of the next Century!...
The large reedbed, open water, saltmarsh, wet grassland and bushes attract many different birds. Bearded tits and Cetti's warblers can be seen all year and autumn migration can be spectacular, with hundreds of swallows, martins and wagtails, as well ...
Surrounded by beautiful parkland with views of the Jurassic Coast, this 17th-century hunting lodge has remained in the same family since 1641. Since a devastating fire in 1929, the building has been restored externally and consolidated inside. The di...
Every year thousands of children are injured in preventable accidents in the home, on the roads and at play. LV Streetwise helps to minimise the risk of accidents happening by making children aware of potential dangers in the everyday world around th...
Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium is positioned on the historic Cobb in Lyme Regis. It is a unique experience that endeavor's to show the local fish and marine life of the Jurassic coast in a unique situation on the end of the Cobb. It is an interesting mus...
The Museum stands in the heart of the town, just where the beautiful coastlines of Dorset and Devon meet. The building has great idiosyncratic charm. Built in 1900-01 by Thomas Philpot it was badly dilapidated by 1991, and a major scheme of reconstru...
Among the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe, Maiden Castle's huge multiple ramparts enclose an area equivalent to 50 football pitches, protecting several hundred residents. Excavations in the 1930s and 1980s revealed the site's 40...
Mapperton Gardens is a romantic valley garden deep into a lost Dorset combe among tumbling hills and unspoilt countryside. The gardens descend from the great lawn, through the formal topiary down to the woodland garden. The manor house with its churc...
Maumbury Rings has interested antiquarians from the 17th Century. The monument has three distinct phases of construction, each modifying or destroying part of its predecessor.
Between 1642 and 1643, the earthwork was re-modelled as an artillery f...
Home of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy. Thomas Hardy designed and lived in this house from 1885 till his death in 1928. Here he wrote Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge, as well as much of his poet...
You can tour around the displays and equipment that shows the importance of cider as a drink over the years.
Watch the ten minute video display that shows cider actually being made on the 18th and 19th century equipment!
Find the hidden Smiley ...
Minterne House has been the home of the Churchill's and Digby's family for the last 350 years and now the seat of the 12th Lord Digby. It was rebuilt in 1905 by Leonard Stokes after the previous house was destroyed by dry rot. Minterne nestles in 1,3...
With over 250 primates of 19 different species, Monkey World is the largest primate rescue centre in the world! We also have a soft play area for children under 6 and the South's largest adventure play area for older children. We are open eve...
The gardens have been created on the site of the old kitchen garden of Moreton House. Originally laid out in 1742 the three and a half acres, together with a similar sized walled garden next to these gardens produced fruit, vegetables and flowers for...
Nothe Fort is a labyrinth of underground passageways and outdoor areas with stunning views of the Jurassic Coast. Constructed on three levels , which are easily accessed by means of a lift, the Fort is filled with displays, mammoth guns and cinema ar...
Take an underwater adventure around the waters of the world and come face-to-face with hundreds of awesome creatures.
Home to all your favourites, from tiny terrapins and stunning sharks to graceful stingrays and dainty seahorses.
With plasma ...
The Old Crown Court and Cells, located in West Dorset District Council's offices in Dorchester, is famous for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and Judge Jeffreys' Bloody Assize.
On a visit to the Old Crown Court and Cells you will experience 200...
We welcome visitors to our Brewery from Easter to the end of September. The fascinating guided tour starts at 11.00 am on every weekday and lasts for about two hours. These specialist tours are very popular and we do advise you to pre-book. You'll go...
Place Mill is a carefully restored Anglo-Saxon watermill situated only a few minutes' walk from the town centre. Place Mill was mentioned in the Domesday Book and survived the dissolution of the monasteries of 1538 and continued to grind corn until 1...
The Poole Museum is housed in historic buildings adjoining Poole Quay, with the entrance being through a new glass atrium, the museum's new public facilities include a terrace and visitor lounge with magnificent views over Poole Harbour and Old Town ...
The history of this fortress, which overlooks Portland harbour, is diverse and fascinating. Built by Henry VIII to defend Weymouth against possible French and Spanish invasion, its squat appearance is typical of the artillery forts built in the early...
Founded by Dr Marie Stopes the famous birth control pioneer, Portland Museum opened in 1930. It is housed in two picturesque thatched Portland Stone cottages, nestling above Church Ope Cove. Inspired by one of these cottages, Wessex author, Thomas H...
A nature reserve in central Weymouth sounds unlikely, but once you are on the footpath amongst the reeds and lagoons you could be far away in the countryside.
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It is the national museum of Army communications and the exhibits and displays show the part that communications have played in the many wars and campaigns of the last 150 years. The Museum collection is regarded as being of National importance and t...
Come and see one of the most fascinating and unique museums in the world, comprising historic house, art galleries and museum, a licensed cafe, the Russell-Cotes Shop and a children's area. An ideal place for learning, exploring and socialising....
The growing network of SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries is the world's leading provider of immersive, inspiring, entertaining and informative encounters with the incredible creatures living in our seas, oceans, and in some cases our streams, rivers a...
The story of the Abbey and its inhabitants has been vividly brought to life in a new, state-of-the-art museum.
The museum is decorated in dramatic medieval colours chosen to reflect the interior of the original Abbey church.
The museum houses ...
A warm welcome to the Abbey's website. I hope you will find here the information you are seeking. There are also a number of important links to other sites which will tell you more.
Founded by St. Aldhelm in AD 705, the Abbey has developed from S...
Sherborne Museum is a vibrant, community-based museum entirely run by volunteers for the purpose of conserving the heritage of this lovely town and the surrounding villages. Established since 1968, we are fully accredited and occupy a Grade II listed...
Built by Bishop Roger of Salisbury in the 12th century as a strongly defended palace, Sherborne Old Castle became a powerful Royalist base during the Civil War. Described as 'malicious and mischievous' by Cromwell, it fell in 1645 after a fierce elev...
Set high on a hilltop overlooking Abbotsbury Abbey, this sturdily buttressed and barrel-vaulted 14th-century chapel was built by the monks as a place of pilgrimage and retreat....
For nearly 200 years, Stapehill Abbey was a place of quiet retreat and meditation locked away from the outside world, Home to a Silent Order of Nuns.
Today you can still experience the peace and serenity in the fully-restored Nun's Chapel, stroll ...
Vast area of sandy beaches and heathland. Fine beaches stretch continuously for 3 miles from South Haven Point to the chalk cliffs of Handfast Point and Old Harry Rocks, and include Shell Bay and a designated naturist area. The heathland behind the b...
The Heritage Centre is situated in the Old Market Building 'built in the 1890's on Swanage seafront on the site of the 'former 'Bankers' where the local quarried stone was stored 'before shipment. The centre contains information on the ' history, geo...
This is the only museum devoted to the terracotta warriors - now regarded as the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World - outside of China. See unique museum replicas of the terracotta warriors from China, reconstructions of costumes and armour and multimed...
The Blue Pool at Furzebrook constantly varies in colour. Very fine clay in suspension in the water diffacting light in different ways producing a spectrum of colour sometimes green sometimes turquoise.
Set in a deep clay bowl steps lead down to t...
The Bournemouth Balloon allows you to see Bournemouth from great heights and take in the breath taking views....
Today visitors to the Museum can find out about local writers, history, archaeology, geology and the natural sciences in one of the Museum's many galleries. There are also video displays, activity carts for children and an audio-guide to take you rou...
The artefacts, weapons, uniforms, medals and of course the stories of the soldiers and their families and much more are on display over three floors. Computer and digital presentation, realistic battle environments, together with exhibitions, tell th...
This Electrical Museum was opened in May 1981 by the then Chairman of Southern Electricity, John Wedgwood.
Since then the Museum has seen many changes both here and in our parent company Scottish and Southern Energy.
We thank Mr Wedgewood and h...
A small prehistoric circle of nine standing stones constructed approx. 4,000 years ago, in a wooded glade. Winterbourne Poor Lot Barrows are nearby....
The Priest's House Museum is set in an historic town house where a series of period rooms takes the visitor back through the centuries. From the 17th Century Hall to the Georgian Parlour and working Victorian Kitchen, our rooms show what life and wor...
A charming Georgian building, built as a workhouse in 1764, now filled with a rich variety of displays and objects which reflect the social and natural history of the area, its geology and archaeology.
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The Swanage Railway offers a more intensive heritage steam and diesel timetable train service than virtually any other preserved railway. Steam and diesel galas, Family Fun Day events, plus regular Evening Dining services complement themed events suc...
The tank was a British invention that changed warfare for ever when it was introduced in World War One - and Bovington has been the home of the tank ever since. From the Somme to Tiananmen Square or D-Day to Desert Storm the tank has played a part in...
The Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum tells the harrowing tale of the Martyrs arrest, trial and punishment, leading to the foundation of modern day trade unionism.
The museum has been re-designed into a modern, informative, and educational exhibition, usi...
Experience the excitement of the world's greatest discovery of Ancient Treasure. Tutankhamun's tomb, treasures and mummy are superbly recreated in this internationally renowned exhibition. Walk through the ante-chamber and the burial chamber and marv...
Upton Country Park has over 100 acres of garden, open parkland, woodland and shoreline together with its centerpiece Upton House and on-site educational facilities, and has the opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to relax and learn....
This modern gallery in Wimborne features 8 exhibitions a year and presents unique and contemporary work by local, national and international craft workers.
There are workshops and educational programmes which offer opportunities to learn new skill...
Wareham Town Museum tells the story of the Wareham area from prehistoric times to the present day. It has a special section on Lawrence of Arabia which is regularly updated with new exhibits....
Housed in a Victorian pumping station still supplying Weymouth with water. The museum tells how water has influenced our lives from the Romans to the present day and contains a water turbine pump dating from 1857....
Corn mill in a peaceful setting. Rebuilt in 1776 on a site marked in the Domesday Book, this substantial corn mill was extensively repaired in 1994 and still retains its original elm and applewood machinery (now too fragile to be used). It is situate...
For over 1300 years this Minster has been a centre for pilgrimage, prayer and worship. As a Minster in the early days it was a centre of mission, a home for a group of clergy who went out into the surrounding countryside to preach the Gospel. As a Pa...
Built well over 50 years ago, the magnificent 1/10th scale models continue to surprise and amaze visitors from all over the world with their superb quality and realism.
Re-creating the historic market town of Wimborne Minster exactly as it was dur...
A 'cemetery' of 44 Bronze Age burial mounds of varying types and sizes, straddling the A35 main road....
Fine medieval and Elizabethan manor house lying in water-meadows - much embellished in 1580 with splendid plasterwork and panelling. The medieval gatehouse has two unmatched and older towers. There is also a Chapel and Cyder House....
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