| Abbotsbury - Swannery, Sub Tropical Gardens and Childrens Farm |
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| 01305 871387 |
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| Adventure Wonderland - Bournemouth Airport |
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| 01202 483444 |
| | All day, all weather fun with 25 family rides and attractions including Snappy Croc, Montyzoomers and Gold Trail. Catering, Season Tickets
Official website: www.adventurewonderland.co.uk | |
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| Arne Toy Museum - on Poole Harbour near Wareham |
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| 01929 552018 |
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| Beaulieu – Abbey, Palace House and Motor Museum |
| | Lord Montagu´s world famous collection of vintage vehicles with many other attractions of the Abbey and Palace and the 18th century ship building village of Buckler´s Hard nearby
Official website: www.beaulieu.co.uk | 01590 612345 |
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| Blue Pool, Furzebrook, Wareham |
| | A unique and tranquil beauty spot in the Purbeck Hills famous for its pool of consistently changing colours. Catering, Museum, Gift Shop, Plants and children´s play area.
Official website: www.bluepooluk.com | 01929 551408 |
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| Bowood House and Gardens nr Chippenham |
| | Children´s Adventure Playground
Official website: www.bowood.org | 01249 812102 |
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| Bovington Tank Museum |
| | The most comprehensive collection of over 250 tanks from across the globe.
Official website: www.tankmuseum.org | 01929 405096 |
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| Calshot Castle - nr Fawley on Southampton Water |
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| Cerne Abbas Giant, Cerne Abbas |
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| Corfe Castle - Isle of Purbeck |
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| Courtyard Crafts Centre - Lytchett Minster |
| | 18 crafts units and shops incl. working pottery, country restaurant, pet shop and garden centre
Official website: www.thecourtyardcraftscentre.co.uk | 01202 631030 |
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| Devizes - Caen Hill Locks |
| | A group of 29 locks on the Kennet & Avon Canal
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| Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester |
| | An exhibition of the Dinosaur age with fossils, reconstructions and multi media displays
Official website: www.thedinosaurmuseum.com | 01305 269880 |
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| Discovery in Weymouth |
| | An opportunity to unravel countless puzzles and illusions with interactive exhibits.
Official website: www.discoverdiscovery.co.uk | 01305 789007 |
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| Durweston Country Park |
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| 01929 424443 |
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| Eeles Family Pottery, Mosterton, nr Beaminster |
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Official website: www.eelespottery.co.uk | 01308 868 257 |
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| Enid Blytons Ginger Shop in Corfe |
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| Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway - Exbury, New Forest |
| | Outstandingly beautiful display of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Magnolias to be visited in early spring or autumn, with chauffeur driven buggies for the infirm and a steam railway.
Official website: www.exbury.co.uk | 02380 891203 |
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| Farmer Giles Farmstead - Teffont Magna |
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| Farmer Palmer– Farmpark, Organford, Poole |
| | Great value attraction for Under 9´s allowing close contact of farm animals and play
Official website: www.farmerpalmers.co.uk | 01202 622022 |
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| Fleet Air Arm Museum –Yeovilton, Ilchester |
| | Largest collection of naval aircraft in Europe, Concorde, Harriers, Helicopters, Catering,shop, playground.
Official website: www.fleetairarm.com | 01935 840565 |
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| Forde Abbey, Chard |
| | 800 years old House with extensive Gardens and Parkland. Plant Nursery and Tea House
Official website: www.fordeabbey.co.uk | 01460 221290 |
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| Glastonbury Abbey –Glastonbury |
| | Awe inspiring ruins steeped in 2000 years of history. Legendary burial place of King Arthur.
Official website: www.glastonburyabbey.com | 01458 832267 |
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| Great Dorset Steam Fair –early September at Tarrant Hinton |
| | The world´s leading event of its kind held annually on a 600 acre site and 200,000 visitors over 5 days. An abundance of steam driven machines and active displays whether agricultural or industrial and an outstanding display of fairground engines. T
Official website: www.gdsf.co.uk | 01258 860361 |
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| Great Dorset Steam Fair –early September at Tarrant Hinton |
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| Hardy– Cottage east of Dorchester |
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| Hardy Monument –southwest of Dorchester |
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| Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford |
| | A display of 350 cars and bikes of the last century created by John Haynes who is deity to all the world´s motor enthusiasts´s
Official website: www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk | 01963 440804 |
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| Hilltop Garden & Nursery at Stour Provost –Nearby is an enchanting and inspirational garden. |
| | Garden visitors welcome throughout in June, July and August; Nursery every Thursday 10am to 6pm March to September; teas and cakes available.
Official website: www.hilltopgarden.co.uk | 01747 838512 |
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| Hurst Castle –nr Milford on Sea |
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| Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes –Cycle Route |
| | Devizes to Bradford on Avon 11 miles, then Bath 11 miles and Bristol 15 miles further.
Official website: www.visitkanda.com | |
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| Kimmeridge Bay on Isle of Purbeck |
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| Kingston Lacey House and Grounds [NT] |
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| Kingston Maurward Gardens & Animal Park |
| | Regarded as one of Dorset´s best kept secrets. A formal Edwardian garden with stunning ornamental lake and an 18th century house. Play area and more.
Official website: www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens | 01305 215003 |
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| Lackham Country Park nr Chippenham |
| | Agricultural Museum, Gardens, Miniature Train, Tractor and Trailer Rides and more
Official website: www.lackhamcountrypark.co.uk | 01249 466800 |
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| Lacock Village [NT] nr. Chippenham |
| | incl Abbey, Gardens, Cloisters, Fox Talbot Museum and ful fully active period village [also special activities for children]
Official website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk | 01249 730458 |
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| Larmer Tree Victorian Pleasure Garden |
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| Lulworth Castle & Park, East Lulworth |
| | 17th century castle with extensive parkland, woodland walks, facilities for children and more
Official website: www.lulworth.com | 0845 450 1054 |
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| Lyndhurst –New Forest Museum |
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| Military Museum of the Dorset Regt. –Dorchester |
| | Also called The Keep this museum is equipped with modern technology to display the stories, humour, courage and sacrifice of those who served during the past 300 years.
Official website: www.keepmilitarymuseum.org | 01305 264066 |
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| Miller House Cider Museum –between Crossways and Owermoigne |
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| Milton Abbey & Village |
| | This is part of Milton Abbey School but in July & August admission is £2 to grounds also includes Eeles Pottery Exhibition.
| 01258 880215 |
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| Minterne House & Grounds, W. Dorset [Henry and Sophie Digby] |
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Official website: www.minterne.co.uk | 01300 341370 |
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| Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre –Nr. Wareham |
| | Haven for 160 endangered species including chimps and orangutans in scenic parkland.
Official website: www.monkeyworld.org | 01929 462537 |
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| Mummies of the Pharoes, Dorchester |
| | A superb collection of unwrapped Royal Mummies and animals with death masksand other treasures. Learn about the secrets and magic of the Egyptian Kings.
Official website: www.world-heritage.org.uk/mummies_site/index.htm | 01305 269571 |
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| New Milton –Sammy Miller– Motorcycle Museum |
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| Paultons Park - Ower, Romsey |
| | Family Theme Park with over 50 rides and attractions. Something for all ages with massive play areas, museums and new features like Trekking Tractors and Adventure Golf
Official website: www.paultonspark.co.uk | 023 8081 4455 |
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| Poole Harbour |
| | Brownsea Island, Sandbanks, the Yacht Clubs and Poole itself with Scaplen´s Court Museum, R.N.L.I. Headquarters and Tower Park attractions.
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| Portland Bill and Museum, Portland Castle, Portland Harbour and the New Olympic Yachting Centre |
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| Portsmouth Historic Dockyard |
| | HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, the Mary Rose; feel and sense of our once great Navy
Official website: www.historicdockyard.co.uk | 023 9283 9766 |
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| Purbeck |
| | the landlocked Isle of the southern extreme of Dorset bounded on one side by Poole Harbour and the other by Weymouth Bay. Studland, Old Harry, Swanage, Worth Matravers, Kimmeridge Bay, the lost village of Tyneham on the firing ranges and Corfe Castle are
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| Royal Signals Museum, Blandford |
| | A fascinating display of the science and technology of communications and much more.
Official website: www.royalsignalsmuseum.com | 01258 482248 |
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| Salisbury |
| | The 13th century Cathedral with its world famous spire, the Close, the Salisbury and Wiltshire Museum, Old Sarum, The Wardrobe Museum for Berks & Wilts Infantry Regiments and more
Official website: www.visitsalisbury.com | 01722 334956 |
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| Seaton Tramway, Seaton |
| | A chance to enjoy the outstanding beauty of West Dorset´s and East Devon´s coast including te Axe Valley. Learn how to drive a tram!
Official website: www.tram.co.uk | 01297 20375 |
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| Shaftesbury Abbey –Gold Hill, Park Walk views and town |
| | There only remains the foundations of the greatest Abbey founded by King Alfred in 888AD at Shaftesbury that was a victim of the Reformation and Renaissance of 1530 to 1540. Gold Hill, that was made famous by the Hovis Bread TV advert, is a steep cobbled
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| Sherborne - Old & New Castles and Lakeside Gardens |
| | Built by Walter Raleigh in 1594 there are splendid decorative interiors with the lakeside gardens designed by Capability Brown
Official website: www.sherbornecastle.com | 01935 813182 |
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| Snape Cottage Plantsman– Garden [also Snape Stakes iron Garden supports] at Bourton. |
| | 20 years of devotion and learning has led to Angela and Ian Whinfield creating a very special organic country garden with a wonderful collection of a vast range of plants.
Official website: www.snapestakes.com | 01747 840330 |
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| Splashdown, Tower Park, Poole |
| | Some of the UK´s top water flume rides and attractions.
Official website: www.splashdownpoole.com | 01202 716000 |
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| Sticky Wicket Widlife Garden at Buckland Newton |
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Official website: www.stickywicketgarden.co.uk | 01300 345476 |
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| Stourhead with King Alfred– Tower [NT] |
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| Studland [Knoll] Beach [NT] –Isle of Purbeck |
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Official website: www.nationaltrust.org | |
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| Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre |
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Official website: www.swanage.gov.uk | 01929 423636 |
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| Swanage Steam Railway |
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Official website: www.swanagerailway.co.uk | 01929 425800 |
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| Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester |
| | A superb and unique collection of Teddy Bears from the past 100 years.
Official website: www.teddybearmuseum.co.uk | 01305 266040 |
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| T.E. Lawrence’s House –Near Bovington |
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| Terracotta Warriors, Eastgate, Dorchester |
| | The only museum outside of China dedicated to these amazing images [some say the 8th wonder of the world]. Each weighs 300 kilos or over 40 stone!
Official website: www.terracottawarriors.co.uk | 01305 266040 |
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| Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum –Tolpuddle |
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| Tutankhamun Exhibition –Dorchester |
| | A permanent exhibition depicting the wonder of one of the world´s great discoveries
Official website: www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk | 01305 269571 |
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| Weymouth Sea Life Park - Brewer– Quay |
| | Marine Sanctuary with indoor and outdoor attractions and close encounters.
Official website: www.sealifeeurope.com | 08714 232110 |
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| Wilton House and Wilton Italianate Church also Broad Chalk Valley |
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| Wimborne Model Town –Wimborne Minster |
| | 100´s of beautifully designed model buildings with interactive train and tram layouts
Official website: www.wimborne-modeltown.com | 01202 881924 |
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| Woodhouse Gardens at Blandford |
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Official website: www.blandford-tc.co.uk | 01258 454500 |
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| Wookey Hole –Wells |
| | Famous caves, Dinosaur Valley, King Kong, Fairy Gardens, Mirror Maze, Victorian Penny Arcade and much more.
Official website: www.wookeyhole.co.uk | 01749 672243 |
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| Children– Holiday Programme at North Dorset Leisure Centres |
| | Honeymead Lane, Sturminster Newton – 01258 471831, also Blandford, Gillingham and Shaftesbury as in the Marnhull Messenger Directory and on this website. Sessions on everything from Cake making to T-Shirt printing to Fitness Mania, Mask Making and Fo
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