All destinations are within an hour to 90 minutes in reasonable road conditions
Abbotsbury – Swannery, Sub Tropical Gardens and Childrens’ Farm
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk 01305 871858
Adventure Wonderland – Near Bournemouth Airport 01202 483444
All day, all weather fun with 25 family rides and attractions – adventurewonderland.co.uk
Beaulieu – Abbey, Palace House and Motor Museum 01590 612345
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. – www.beaulieu.co.uk
Blue Pool Furzebrook, Wareham 01929 551408
A 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.
www.bluepooltearooms.co.uk
Bowood House & Gardens Nr Lacock 01249 812102
Adventure Playground – www.bowood.org
Bovington Tank Museum – Bovington 01929 405096
www.tankmuseum.org – world’s best collection of tanks & action packed live displays.
Cerne Abbas Giant, Cerne Abbas www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cerne-giant
Corfe Castle NT – Isle of Purbeck with shops like Enid Blyton Ginger Shop
Courtyard Crafts Centre – Lytchett Minster 01202 631030
www.thecourtyardcraftcentre.co.uk. 18 crafts units and shops incl. working pottery,
country restaurant, pet shop and garden centre.
Dinosaur Museum Dorchester 01305 269880
An exhibition of the Dinosaur age with fossils, reconstructions and multi-media
displays. www.thedinosaurmuseum.com
Eeles Family Pottery Mosterton, nr Beaminster 01308 868257
www.eelespottery.co.uk Speciality is very high temperature fi ring resulting in amazingly
mixed colours.
Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway – Exbury, New Forest 02380 891203
www.exbury.co.uk Outstanding array of Rhododendrons etc – Visit early spring;
steam railway. Disabled buggies
Farmer Palmer’s Farmpark, Organford, Poole 01202 622022
www.farmerpalmers.co.uk Great value attraction for Under 9’s allowing close contact
with farm animals and play areas.
Fleet Air Arm Museum – RNAS Yeovilton 01935 840565
www.fleetairarm.com Largest collection of naval aircraft, Concorde, Harriers, Helicopters,
Catering playground etc.
Forde Abbey, Chard – 800 year old House with extensive Gardens and Parkland. www.fordeabbey.co.uk
Plant Nursery and Tea House – www.fordeabbey.co.uk 01460 220231
Glastonbury Abbey – Glastonbury 01458 832267
Awe inspiring ruins steeped in 2000 years of history. Legendary burial place of King
Arthur. www.glastonburyabbey.com
Great Dorset Steam Fair – early September at Tarrant Hinton 01258 860361
www.gdsf.co.uk The world’s leading event of its kind held annually on a 600 acre site
with 200,000 visitors over 5 days. An abundance of steam driven machines and active
displays whether agricultural or industrial and amazing display of fairground engines.
Haynes Motor Museum Sparkford 01963 440804
www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk – A display of 350 cars and bikes created by John
Haynes, the deity for all motor enthusiasts.
Hilltop Garden & Nursery at Stour Provost 01747 838512
www.hilltopgarden.co.uk – Enchanting and inspirational Garden open throughout June,
July and August; on Thursdays 10am to 6pm; teas and cakes.
Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes – Caen Hill Flight Locks and Cycle Route. Devizes to Bradford on
Avon 11 miles, then Bath 11 miles and Bristol 15 miles further. There are 29 consecutive
locks here in a dramatic stairway down towards Bradford on Avon. www1.katrust.org.uk
Kingston Lacy House and Grounds [NT]
Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA 01202 883402
Kingston Maurward Gardens & Animal Park 01305 215000
www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens Formal Edwardian garden with stunning ornamental lake and
an 18th century house. Play area.
Lackham Country Park nr Chippenham 01249 466800
Agricultural Museum, Gardens
Lacock Village [NT] nr. Chippenham 01249 730459
incl Abbey, Gardens, Cloisters, Fox Talbot Museum and active period village – www.
nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock
Longleat Safari and Adventure Park Warminster. 01985 844400
www.longleat.co.uk
Lulworth Castle & Park, East Lulworth – www.lulworth.com 01929 400352
17th century castle with extensive parkland, woodland walks, facilities for children
New Forest Museum – www.newforestmuseum.org.uk 02380 283444
Military Museum of the Dorset Regt. – Dorchester 01305 264066
www.keepmilitarymuseum.org. The museum is a display of the stories, humour, courage
and sacrifi ce of the past 300 years.
Mill House Cider Museum – Owermoigne, Nr. Dorchester 01305 852220
www.millhousecider.co.uk
Minterne House & Grounds – www.minterne.co.uk 01300 341370
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre – Nr. Wareham 01929 462537
www.monkeyworld.org. Haven for over 250 rescued and endangered species including
chimps and orangutans in scenic parkland.
Mummies of the Pharoes, Alington Street Dorchester 01305 269741
www.mummiesexhibition.com A superb collection of unwrapped Royal Mummies and
animals with death masks and other treasures. Learn about the secrets and magic of the
Egyptian Kings.
New Forest- Lyndhurst, Lymington, Exbury Gardens in Spring
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, New Milton 01425 620777
www.sammymiller.co.uk
Paultons Park, Ower, Romsey 02380 814442
50 rides and attractions www.paultonspark.co.uk 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
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.
Portland Bill and Museum, Portland Castle, Portland Harbour and the New Olympic
Yachting Centre
Purbeck – the Peninsula of southern Dorset bounded by Poole Harbour and Weymouth
Bay. Studland, Old Harry, Swanage, Worth Matravers, Kimmeridge Bay, the lost village of
Tyneham on the fi ring ranges and Corfe Castle are amongst the many reasons to visit
this beautifully rural area.
Royal Signals Museum, Blandford – www.royalsignalsmuseum.com
A fascinating display of the science and technology of communications and much more.
Salisbury – www.visitsalisbury.com 0845 602 7323
The 13th century Cathedral with its world famous spire
Seaton Tramway Seaton – www.tram.co.uk 01297 20375
A chance to enjoy the outstanding beauty of West Dorset’s and East Devon’s coast
including the Axe Valley. Learn how to drive a tram!
Shaftesbury Abbey – Gold Hill, Park Walk views and town. The remains of the
foundations of the Abbey founded by King Alfred in 888AD at Shaftesbury that was
victim of the Reformation and Renaissance of 1530 to 1540. Gold Hill, made famous by
the Hovis Bread TV advert, is a steep cobbled incline of houses from the Middle Ages. shaftesburyabbey.org.uk
Sherborne – Old & New Castles and Lakeside Gardens 01935 812072
www.sherbornecastle.com Built by Walter Raleigh in 1594 there are splendid decorative
interiors with the lakeside gardens designed by Capability Brown.
Splashdown, Tower Park, Poole www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk. 01202 716123
Some of the UK’s top water fl ume rides and attractions.
Stourhead with King Alfred’s Tower [NT] – Outstanding walks and beautiful lake
Studland Beach [NT] – Isle of Purbeck www.nationaltrust.org.uk – Sandy and safe
Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre – swanagemuseum.co.uk 01929 421427
Swanage Steam Railway – www.swanagerailway.co.uk 01929 425800
Teddy Bear Museum Dorchester – www.teddybearmuseum.co.uk 01305 266040
A superb and unique collection of Teddy Bears from the past 100 years.
T.E. Lawrence’s House – Clouds Hill [NT] Near Bovington 01929 405616
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cloudshill
Terracota Warriors, Dorchester 01305 266040
www.terracottawarriors.co.uk A museum dedicated to the amazing fi gures that weigh
300 kilos or over 40 stone each!
Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum – www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk 01305 848237
Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester 01305 269571
www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk – A permanent exhibition depicting the wonder of
one of the world’s great discoveries.
Weymouth Sea Life Park – www.sealifeweymouth.com 0871 423 2110
Marine Sanctuary with indoor and outdoor attractions and close encounters.
Wilton House and Wilton Italianate Church also the Broad Chalk Valley on
Cranbourne Chase. www.wiltonhouse.com 01722 746714
Wimborne Model Town – Wimborne Minster 01202 881924
www.wimborne-modeltown.com – 100’s of beautifully designed model buildings with
interactive train and tram layouts.
Wookey Hole, Wells – www.wookey.co.uk 01749 672243
Caves, Dinosaur Valley, King Kong, Fairy Gardens, Mirror Maze Victorian Penny Arcade etc