Historic Places of Interest

Badbury Rings

Badbury Rings is an Iron Age hillfort dating from about 150BC. The fort consists of three concentric banks and ditches.
Location: Off the B3082 Wimborne to Blandford Road.

Old Wardour Castle

One of England's most romantic castles, in a secluded lakeside setting. Built in the late 14th century for John, fifth Lord Lovel, this unusual six-sided castle was unique in medieval English architecture. Not only was it a secure house, it was also a luxurious residence, with multiple rooms for guests. Old Wardour was intended to impress visitors and guests with its builder's wealth, taste and power.
Location: Off A30 2 miles SW of Tisbury (OS Map 184; ref ST 939 263.)
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Rockborne Roman Villa

Discovered over 50 years ago this ancient Roman Villa was a large summer house that still continues to tell a story. With a small museum you can also discover more about Roman life and their literarcy, architecture, bathing, dress, farming, trade and industry. Open: Apr-Sept, Nearest Bus - 301.
Tel: 01725 518541
Location: Just south of Rockborne, Fordingbridge, Hampshire
Website: www3.hants.gov.uk

Stapehill Abbey

For nearly 200 years the Abbey was a place of quiet retreat and meditation locked away from the outside world, home to the Silent Order of Nuns. Today you can still experience the peace and serenity of the Abbey. The Abbey also features glorious gardens, occastional craft workshops and events plus a countryside museum.
Tel: 01202 861686.
Location: Wimborne Rd West, Stapehill, Ferndown
Website: www.visitdorsetandhampshire.co.uk

Stourhead House and Gardens

Discover the unforgettable magic of this world-famous 18th century landscape garden, Palladian mansion, parkland, woods and chalk downs. Created by Henry Hoare II in the 1740s who dammed The River Stour to form a great lake. Around the lake Hoare laid out a landscape garden for serene walking and as the garden developed, he added classical features such as Neo-classical temples, including the Pantheon & Temple of Apollo, grottos and bridges which adorn the one mile walk along the central lake.
Tel: 01747 841152.
Location: Stourton, Warminster BA12 6QD
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead

Tarrant Crawford Church

Tarrant Crawford Church is tucked away and remains virtually undiscovered although offering remarkable murals painted on its interior. Despite its small size. St Mary’s Church is the jewel of Tarrant Crawford, and remains one of the most interesting churches in Dorset. It has 13th and 14th century wall paintings, many of which are in a remarkable state of preservation.
Location: Tarrant Crawford, OS Grid Reference ST 921 035.

Longleat House and Gardens

Longleat House is widely regarded as one of the best examples of high Elizabethan architecture in Britain and one of the most beautiful stately homes open to the public.
Tel: 01985 844400.
Location: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
Website: www.longleat.co.uk

Larmer Tree Gardens

Created by General Pitt Rivers in 1880 as pleasure grounds for 'public enlightenment and entertainment' the Larmer Tree Gardens are an extraordinary example of Victorian extravagance and vision.

The garden contains a wonderful collection of ornate buildings, majestic trees and intimate arbours, retained in an enchanted timeless atmosphere.
Tel: 01725 516971.
Location: Rushmore Estate Office, Tollard Royal, Salisbury, Wiltshire. SP5 5PT
Website: www.larmertreegardens.co.uk

Wilton House

Wilton House opened its doors to the general public on the 1st May 1951 and this 460 year old building with its history, architecture, art treasures and 21 acres of gardens and parkland has attracted visitors from all over the world.
Tel: 01722 746700.
Location: The Estate Office, Wilton, Salisbury, SP2 0BJ
Website: www.wiltonhouse.com

Breamore House and countryside museum

The magnificent Elizabethen Manor House overlooks the Avon Valley on the edge of the New Forest, just north of Fordingbridge. The house was completed in 1583 and looks today much as it would have done to its' original owners.

Breamore Countryside Museum provides a fascinating insight into the days when the village was self-sufficient.
Tel: 01725 512468.
Location: Breamore House, Nr. Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2DF
Website: www.breamorehouse.com

Kingston Lacy

Home of the Bankes family for more than 300 years, this striking 17th-century house is noted for its lavish interiors. The outstanding art collection includes paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel, with the largest private collection of Egyptian artefacts in the UK.

Outside, stroll across the beautiful lawns towards the restored Japanese tea garden.
Tel: 01202 883402 .
Location: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Fovant Badges

The Fovant badges are an historic and unique cluster of military badges cut into the chalk hills of Wiltshire. Following WW1, in remembrance of their colleagues, many of the regiments carved into the hillside replicas of their cap badges.
Location: Fovant, Wiltshire
Website: www.fovantbadges.com