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Places To Visit in Dorset
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Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Cycling, fishing, walks, golf, rope swings; there are loads of activities to try here. Choose how active you want to be - swinging through the trees on the Go Ape rope swings, chugging along taking in the scenery on the narrow gauge steam railway, or just relaxing with a picnic by the lake. A great way to spend the day in the Dorset countryside.
www.moors-valley.co.uk
50.85
-1.85
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The Kingcombe Centre
'The farm that time forgot' uses traditional farming methods to work the land. This environmental study centre is situated in a nature reserve in the heart of West Dorset and offers courses and lectures on the local flora and fauna as well as art and music.
www.kingcombecentre.org.uk
50.78963
-2.633519
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Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Planted as a kitchen garden in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester, today Abbotsbury Gardens bring together rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Scintillate your senses with a visit to the world famous camellia groves and magnolias, enjoy a sedate stroll in the walled gardens or go wild for the stunning woodland valley views. The BBC's Alan Titchmarsh declared them to be 'one of the finest gardens I have ever visited'. See for yourself. If it leaves your green fingers itching for some action, you can choose from a superb range of quality plants at the Specialist Plant Nursery.
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens
50.662
-2.629
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50.698
-2.216
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50.61
-1.96
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Athelhampton House and Gardens
The beautifully preserved 15th Century manor house has stunning interiors resplendent with antique furnishings. The famous formal gardens incorporate a series of tranquil, sophisticated spaces, including the great court with its giant pyramids, simple plantings of roses, clematis and tulips, fountains and pools laden with water lillies, a canal and the River Piddle. The 15th Century dovecote still houses white doves. Stop off for some home-cooked refreshment at the Topiary Restaurant. Open March to October.
www.athelhampton.co.uk
50.74593
-2.326741
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Compton Acres
Ten acres of beautifully managed gardens including Italian, Roman, water and Japanese areas. Built in the 1920s by a margarine entrepeneur to reflect his worldwide travels and interest in horticulture, Compton Acres is a fine example of an historic garden in the late Victorian Mixed Style design.
www.comptonacres.co.uk
50.704
-1.926
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Kingston Maurward Gardens
Formal gardens in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style of the Edwardian era in the grounds of Kingston Maurward House. Thomas Hardy was a frequent visitor to the house as a boy, and it features as 'Knapwater House' in his novel Desperate Remedies. Children can meet Button and Pebbles the donkeys in the animal park, as well as miniature Shetland ponies, goats, pigs, rabbits, ducks, emus and peacocks. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the large picnic area. There is also a refreshment kiosk, visitor centre and shop.
www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens
50.718
-2.404
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Mapperton Gardens
A terraced valley garden complete with grottos, a great lawn, topiary, croquet lawn, an orangery and 17th Century fish ponds, surrounding a Tudor/Jacobean sandstone manor house, home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. Used as a location in Jane Austen's Emma, Restoration and Tom Jones. Open March to October.
www.mapperton.com
50.794
-2.706
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Minterne House and Gardens
Minterne House and Gardens nestle in a valley in the beautiful Dorest countryside, described by Simon Jenkins in 'England's 1000 Best Houses' as a "corner of paradise". The 18th Century gardens feature lakes, waterfalls, all kinds of rare trees and an incredible rhododendron collection. A profusion of spring bulbs and magnolias provide the colour in spring, followed by flowering Japanese cherries and streams lined with primulas and other water plants in summer. The garden is particularly noted for its autumn colouring. Open March to November.
www.minterne.co.uk
50.835
-2.484
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50.648
-2.571
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50.718
-1.876
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50.664
-2.598
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50.774
-1.845
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50.725
-2.933
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50.731
-2.759
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50.61
-2.456
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Clouds Hill
Now a National Trust property, Clouds Hill was once the Dorset home of Lawrence of Arabia. There is an exhibition detailing Lawrence's extraordinary life and his grave can be found in the churchyard of St Nicholas Church in Moreton. There is also a beautiful new trail through rhododendrons to a delightful picnic spot on top of the hill.
House open March to October only.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-cloudshill
50.717
-2.251
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50.638
-2.057
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50.745
-1.951
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50.732
-2.087
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Hardy Monument
Not to be confused with perhaps Dorset's most famous son, Thomas Hardy, this monument was erected in memory of Vice Admiral Hardy of the HMS Victory (of "Kiss me Hardy" fame). Situated on Black Down near Portesham, it offers glorious views across the Dorset countryside to the sea, and is within a mile of the inland route of the South West coastal path (which avoids Chesil beach). National Trust owned.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-hardymonument
50.687
-2.549
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50.73
-2.39
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Hardy's Dorchester Home, Max Gate
Take a step back into literary history at Thomas Hardy's Dorchester home, where classics such as Tess of the d'Ubervilles, Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge were written. Now a National Trust property, the house was originally designed by Hardy, who lived there for 43 years until his death in 1928. For a literary day out, combine it with a visit to Hardy's Cottage in nearby Higher Brockham.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-maxgate
50.708
-2.42
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Lighthouse
The home of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and also an inspiring venue for all kinds of contemporary arts, including dance, live music, theatre, photography and film.
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
50.718
-1.977
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Lulworth Castle and Park
Built as a 17th Century hunting lodge, the castle sits in the heart of a large country estate. Meet the peacocks, goats, pigs and alpacas at the animal farm. The grounds are also used to host events, from jousting tournaments to open-air cinema and the uber-cool family festival Camp Bestival (older sister to the Isle of Wight fest).
www.lulworth.com
50.63737
-2.207189
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Maiden Castle
Covering an area of more than 50 football pitches, this is Britain's largest and most complex Iron Age hillfort. The castle was built in 600 BC, over the remains of a Neolithic settlement. Over the centuries that followed, the hillfort was extended and additional defences thrown up around it. Today you can wander the old ramparts and enjoy beautiful views of the Dorset countryside.
www.maidencastle.com
50.7
-2.467
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50.713
-2.438
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Portland Castle
Another of Henry VIII’s constructions designed to repel invading French and Spanish armies, Portland Castle overlooks the harbour. The castle is an intriguing shape and outside is a stone amphitheatre, perfect for a quick sit down while you admire the view.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
50.567
-2.447
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South West Artwork CIC
Dedicated to providing and promoting contemporary art in the South West. SWA CIC makes use of historic venues and unusual spaces - a church, an old pumping station, a reclamation yard - to create eye-popping shows of contemporary art.
50.61221
-2.499675
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50.714
-2.434
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50.715
-2.438
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50.725
-2.933
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50.609
-1.957
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50.608
-1.957
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50.737
-1.781
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50.948
-2.516
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50.695
-2.243
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50.801
-1.989
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50.726
-2.934
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Top 5 West Country Scoops
What's your flavour of the month? Here's our pick of the best ice creams in the South West this summer.
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|
 | It’s difficult to know where to start in describing all the ways in which you can enjoy Dorset. Summarising its appeal is almost impossible, since there is simply so much going on in this county. |
 | A few pointers to get you started on your holiday in Dorset. |
 | Browse our selection of hand-picked activities for days out and short breaks in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. |
 | View your personal itinerary of things to do, places to visit and where to eat on your holiday. |
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