Welcome to our village & the beautiful county of Dorset!

Bournemouth Beaches

Bournemouth Beach is one of the safest beaches in the UK with RNLI Lifeguards based all the way along our seven mile stretch of beach – full season cover runs from 30 April to 30 September.

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is one of the most photographed landmarks along Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast. The name Durdle derives from an Old English word 'thirl' meaning bore or drill.

Lulworth Cove

The Cove offers a variety of places to eat and there is a large car park (fee payable). Make sure you visit the Heritage Centre next to the car park for all kinds of information about the area and the Jurassic Coast.

Studland Bay

The beaches of the Studland peninsula stretch from the boundary of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site at Old Harry Rocks north to Shell Bay, where a chain ferry provides a link to Poole and Bournemouth.

Abbotsbury Swannery

Abbotsbury Swannery is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans. A visit to this beautiful place is considered to be one of the best things to do in Dorset.

Athelhampton House

Explore the 500 year old house and find out about our history​ and the Hardy connection.
​Enjoy the Elizabethan style gardens and visit the kitchen garden, and try some of our produce and home cooked food in our Restaurant or Tea Room.

Bere Regis Church

Bere Regis Church is an historic and interesting church, which is well worth a visit. It has, among other unusual features, an outstanding roof to the nave, which features carved statues depicting the twelve apostles.

Brownsea Island

Winter brings serenity to the island and at just 1.5 miles long and 0.75 miles wide it’s easy to explore in a day. Watch Spoonbills elegantly sweep the lagoon for food; marvel at the wintry views across the harbour.

The rural retreat of T. E. Lawrence

Clouds Hill is described as a 'woodsman's cottage'. Find out more about the history of those who lived in this isolated cottage before Lawrence - and how Lawrence rescued it from decay.

Cerne Abbas Giant

The giant overlooks the thriving village of Cerne Abbas, which is the centre for visiting and exploring the local area. The surrounding countryside lies in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Corfe Castle

One of Britain's most iconic and evocative survivors of the English Civil War, partially demolished in 1646 by the Parliamentarians.
A favourite haunt for adults and children alike, all ages are captivated.

Hardy's Cottage

The cottage sits next to Thorncombe Woods, owned and managed by Dorset County Council. This is an ancient woodland and nature reserve that opens out onto heathland and the beginning of Hardy's Egdon Heath.

Hardy Monument

The Hardy Monument stands on an exposed location above the village of Portesham in Dorset. It was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast is one of the most popular destinations in Britain, drawing visitors from all over the world.
Whether you want to hunt for fossils, visit a museum, or simply take in the stunning scenery on a good walk.

Kingston Lacy House

Explore Kingston Lacy, a lavish family home built to resemble a Venetian Palace.
There’s plenty to see, from grand, beautifully detailed carvings, to intimate family souvenirs and even strange curiosities such as an ‘I owe you’ note from a king.

MAIDEN CASTLE

Maiden Castle in Dorset is one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe - the size of 50 football pitches. Its huge multiple ramparts, mostly built in the 1st century BC, once protected hundreds of residents.

Max Gate

Max Gate, an austere but sophisticated town house a short walk from the town centre of Dorchester, was the home of Dorset's most famous author and poet Thomas Hardy.

SWANAGE RAILWAY

Our award-winning standard gauge preserved steam railway is located in Dorset with easy access from neighbouring Hampshire and the South of England.

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

In the 1830s life in villages like Tolpuddle was hard and getting worse. Farm workers could not bear yet more cuts to their pay. Some fought back by smashing the new threshing machines but this brought harsh punishments.

The Tank Museum

As you explore the Museum's six large halls you will come face to face with vehicles that have seen action in all the major wars of the 20th Century and hear first-hand accounts from those who fought in them.

Farmer Palmer's

"An absolutely lovely farm, with the most perfect helpful, knowledgeable staff.
We had an amazing day."

MONKEY WORLD

Since its opening in 1987, Monkey World has rescued primates from all over the world, assisting 27 governments to date. In many cases, primates have ended up living thousands of miles from their native home.

Warmwell Holiday Park

You’ll find surprises around every corner at Warmwell Holiday Park. Whether it’s the 110m all-weather ski slope, woodland walks perfect for spotting roe deer.