Shaftesbury is quintessential Dorset, with thatched cottages, quaint tea shops, that famous Gold Hill, made famous by that Hovis advert, and it is one of the oldest and highest towns in England. Take a stroll along Park Walk and admire the seemingly endless panoramas Sit and enjoy a coffee and a snack in the café at the top of Gold Hill whilst taking in magnificent views over the Blackmore Vale. Here, you will also find the Gold Hill Museum set in two historic buildings with an award-winning cottage garden. Eat or drink in the Grosvenor Arms or the Ugly Duckling Café for something cheaper and more simple.
A Cathedral city of ageless beauty and captivating history, Salisbury has been welcoming travellers since 1227. At the city’s heart is Salisbury Cathedral, a beacon that has attracted visitors for centuries and continues to do so today. Gathered around the Cathedral is a modern medieval city, full of beautifully crafted buildings. Salisbury has a lovely cinema, good shopping with some independent stores and a few places to eat, although not many.
Located on the banks of the River Stour, Blandford Forum is the most complete, small Georgian town in England and is located in the north of Dorset. In the early 18th century, fires decimated much of the town, but it was largely rebuilt and is a wonderful example of Georgian architecture. There are a few good independent cafés called Yellow Bicycle Club and Forum Café and the food and bar at The Crown Hotel is also nice. There are a few good independent shops up Salisbury Street for clothes and gifts.
The beautiful, historic market town of Wimborne Minster has a gorgeous Minster Church, pretty streets, picturesque heritage and a cracking location on the banks of the rivers Stour and Allen. It is regular winner in the regional and national ‘In Bloom’ awards. You can eat in our old restaurant, The Wimborne Pig, which still has the same team behind the scenes! And there is a great wine bar, Renoufs which has great wine and simple food. The Dancing Moose is also a lively pub with good food and great cocktails.
Kingston Lacy is home to one of the National Trust’s most important art collections. Rubens, Titian and Sebastiano are among the great Western artists whose works decorate the walls. But it is much more than a house and art collection. It is also a garden that was celebrated in the early 20th century as a horticultural masterpiece; an 18th-century parkland and a living landscape rich in wildlife and nature.
When Stourhead first opened in the 1740s, a magazine described it as ‘a living work of art’. The world-famous landscape garden has at its centrepiece a magnificent lake reflecting classical temples, mystical grottoes, and rare and exotic trees, and offers a day of fresh air and discovery. Explore the 1,072 hectare (2,650 acre) Stourhead estate where chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland are managed for wildlife.
Watch the biplanes, piper warriors, old military planes and harvards come and go from the café overlooking the airfield. You can even book your own flying or wing-walking experience here.
Purbeck Shooting School occupies one of the best sites in the UK and has been voted as the ‘Best Shooting Ground’ in the UK. The site occupies around 80 acres of mixed heath land and conifer plantation. They can offer a large variety of target presentation for practice and tuition, whether you are a clay or a game shooter.
Moors Valley is an abundance of forest fun, with Treetop Challenge, Treetop Adventure+, Forest Segway and Nets Adventure. Push yourself to climb 11-metres skywards and features a massive 166-metre zip wire. There are also some lovely walks through the forest and round the lake and a great kids playground and model railway to ride on.