Attractions

Ancient Technology Centre - Cranborne

This inspiring educational Centre comprises numerous reconstructed buildings from throughout history. They have been built with the help of more than 80,000 Dorset school students and older volunteers. Using a combination of ancient skills and archaeological evidence, visitors to the Centre take part in a range of projects that reflect ancient life. The emphasis is on "hands on learning" that directly contributes to the life of the Centre. This is generally an educational establishment and not generally open to the pubic the centre presents a number of open days and schedules many events through out the year. Check further info for details on events.

Contact: 01725 517618

Ashley Wood Tarrant Keyneston Nr Blandford

Ancient hazel and ash coppice woodland with oak and ash standards. Run by the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Ashmore Duck Pond - Ashmore

Ashmore lies on the Dorset/Wiltshire border, and at 700 feet above sea level, is one of the highest villages in Dorset making its duck pond the highest in Dorset!

Avon Heath Country Park

Acres of unspoilt heathland and abundant wildlife, miles of walkways and cycling trails. Try out some activities and special events at the Visitor Centre and some refreshments at the adjoining cafe. Comprehensive school holiday activities are available.

Badbury Rings

Badbury Rings is one of the great Iron Age hill forts of Southern England. During the Roman occupation it became important civil base and the original Iron Age defences were altered. Today the site gives lovely views of the surrounding countryside and is covered with orchids in early summer.

Breamore House Nr Fordingbridge

Breamore House is an Elizabethan manor set above the picturesque village of Breamore, overlooking the Avon Valley on the edge of the New Forest.

Bush Farm Bison Centre - West Knoyle

Visit that rare thing – a Bison and Elk farm. Complete the trail visiting other creatures, a playground, gallery and shop for delicious Bison and Elk meats.

Location: Bush Farm West Knoyle Warminster BA12 6AE
Tel: 01747 830263
Web: www.bisonfarm.co.uk

Chettle House and Garden

The Manor House in the village of Chettle was designed by Thomas Archer, and is a fine example of English Baroque architecture for a small country house. The gardens are beautifully laid out and there are many chalk loving varieties of interest to the enthusiast.

Collyer's Brook Wildlife Reserve - Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury

This small reserve (0.81 ha) is a community wildlife site adjacent to a local picnic site and parking area which are managed by Wessex Water. Fed by 10 streams which emerge from the chalk at Springhead 200m east of the reserve it is edged by wet woodland with a series of linked stew ponds, originally used for breeding fish in the Middle Ages.

Compton Abbas Airfield

Particularly popular with walkers and cyclists visiting and touring the Cranborne Chase region this popular destination with amazing viewpoints offers a Licenced Bar and Restaurant with varied menus.

Dream Boats - Wimborne Dorset

Situated in an idyllic location half a mile from Wimborne Town Centre, Dreamboats opened in 2000 and is a small, relaxed and friendly attraction for tourists and local residents.

Farmer Giles Homestead - Chilmark

Have fun and learn down on the farm. A unique 38 acre farmstead where you can learn about farming methods past and present and have fun feeding and grooming the animals. Or just enjoy the calm of a wonderful rural setting .

Fontmell Down - Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Wildlife, Countryside

A Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve high on the North Dorset Downs above Fontmell Magna with stunning displays of chalk downland flowers, butterflies and spectacular views.

Fordingbridge Museum

In the old market town of Fordingbridge on the Hampshire Avon, this small museum is housed on two floors of an old granary. Over a period of about 30 years, John and Richard Shering collected a large quantity of artefacts which they housed in a private museum open to the public on request.

Fovant Badges

When the 1914-1918 war broke out, there was a need to find accommodation for the New Army. In many areas, training and transit camps were established for troops leaving for, and returning from, the battlefields in northern France. One of these areas was the village of Fovant, in Wiltshire and its neighbours Compton Chamberlayne and Sutton Mandeville. Thousands of men from all parts of Britain and overseas lived for a while in the area, passed on to the Western Front and returned from it. In remembrance of the colleagues that did not return, many of the regiments carved into the hillside replicas of their cap badges. Many of these no longer survive, but by the end of WW1 there were some twenty discernible badges.

Gold Hill Museum Shaftesbury

Gold Hill Museum portrays Shaftesbury's unique history, while its charming cottage garden offers spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale. Nestled in a traditional sandstone cottage at the top of the famous Gold Hill, made famous in the 1970's by the Hovis advert, is the fascinating Gold Hill Museum.

Honeybrook Farm - Nr Wimborne

Open all year, nestled beside the River Allen this working farm produces a range of meat and dairy products which are sold in the Farm Shop and Butchers. Honeybrook aims to make the countryside accessable to all by providing countryside walks, farm animals to meet, picnic areas and nature based activities that will entertain the kids.

Kingston Lacy House and Gardens

Beautiful 17th century mansion house designed for Sir Ralph Bankes.
Important art collections, set in attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland with estate walks. Closed from the 28th October - 3rd Febuary look at website for further details.

Knowlton Church - Wimborne St Giles

The siting of this ruined medieval church at the centre of a Neolithic ritual henge earthwork symbolises the transition from pagan to Christian worship. A beautiful setting ideal for quiet moments and peaceful picnics.

Larmer Tree Festival - Tollard Royal

The renowned Larmer Tree Festival, held in the Larmer Tree Gardens on the Cranborne Chase, on 16th-20th July, celebrates its 18th birthday this year. From its humble beginnings as a one day party, the festival has evolved into the region's most prestigious outdoor event, with eclectic live music, workshops, street theatre, a huge carnival procession, free camping, hot showers, delicious food and more.

See greater details on our events page here or for more information on this year's festival, or to book tickets for Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July, visit www.larmertreefestival.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.

Tel: 01725 511228/516971
Web: www.larmertree.co.uk

Longleat House and Safari Park

Longleat, the star of BBC’s hugely popular Animal Park series invites you to discover some of the world’s most magnificent animals in the UK’s first Safari Park…and much much more!

Location: Warminster BA12 7NW
Tel: 01985 844400
Web: www.longleat.co.uk

Martin Down - National Nature Reserve

One of the largest areas of chalk grassland in the country, supporting a wide variety of downland flowers, plus butterflies and birds, including the Skylark.

Mill Ham Island - Dorset Wildlife Reserve - Child Okeford

This small Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve on the River Stour near Child Okeford is a little visited area which offers a retreat for water birds.

Moors Valley Country Park, Ashley Heath Ringwood

750 acre park with varied walks, cycle paths, tree top trail, high ropes course (Go Ape) woodland play trail with over 20 structures, narrow gauge railway, golf course, visitor centre, restaurant and shop.

Directions: Situated off A31 at the Ashley Heath roundabout

New Forest Water Park

Apr - Nov 1000-2100hrs
Sep - Oct weekends only
Tel: 01425 656868
www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk
Nearest Bus: X3

Old Wardour Castle

A stunning castle in a beautiful setting, although a ruin this is an ideal location for families and those with interests in medieval architecture. Open through out the year although weekends only from 1st November - 31st March. See website for further details.

Location: Off A30 2 miles SW of Tisbury (OS Map 184; ref ST 939263.)
Contact: www.english-heritage.co.uk

Pamphill Bluebell Woods - Wimborne Dorset

Pamphill Blue Bell woods are best seen late April. Have a cream tea to follow at the nearby Pamphill Dairy or discover Kingston Lacy House and Gardens.

Phillips House and Dinton Park

Designed for William Wyndham, a leading late Georgian politician
Impressive collection of Regency furniture and furnishings. Variety of tranquil walks in recently restored parkland.

Rockborne Roman Villa - Nr Fordingbridge

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.

Rockbourne Trout Fishery

On the edge of the unspoilt New Forest, Rockbourne Trout Fishery has been home to superb trout fishing for over 35 years. With six lakes spread across 52 acres of woodland and pasture provides some of the most private, secluded and beautiful fishing in the country. Our valley setting has been protected against the pressures affecting much of England's countryside for years so wildlife is plentiful too.

Royal Signals Museum - Blandford

Visit this fasinating exhibition and museum with lots of interactive displays and fun trails. Discover the fasinating history of the Royal Signals and new for 2008 there is a Women at War exhibition. Lots to see and do.

Location: Follow the brown tourist signs from the A350 at Blandford
Tel: 01258 482 248
Web: www.royalsignalsmuseum.com

Rushmore Golf Club - Tollard Royal

A superb 18 Hole Championship golf course set in stunning landscapes. Open to members and visitors seven days a week.

Tel: 01725 516391
Web: www.rushmoregolfclub.co.uk

Salisbury Racecourse

A day at the races is a leisure activity which is great fun for all the family, and at Salisbury Racecourse you can be guaranteed a fabulous day out to remember.

Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden Heritage, History

Stand in the footsteps of King Alfred the Great who founded the Abbey in 888AD. The museum vividly brings to life the story of the Abbey and it's inhabitants. The remains of the Abbey are set in a beautiful walled garden.

Shearwater Stourhead

Surrounded by 38 acres of magnificent woodland, Shearwater Lake is one of the finest waterways in West Wiltshire.

The lake, which is part of the Longleat Estate was designed in 1791 by Francis Drake of Bridgwater. It is known for its fishing and sailing.

Access: Longbridge Deverill turning off A350

Sovell Down Wildlife Reserve - Gussage All Saints

This Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve is a small area of chalk downland on Ackling Dyke with interesting flora and butterfly populations.

Springhead Centre for Arts, Environment and Personal Development

Picturesque residential/day centre popular for school/youth trips, adult workshops/retreats; weddings; garden open days and public events.

Fontmell Magna Shaftesbury SP7 ONU
Tel: 01747 811853
Web: www.springheadtrust.org.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.

Address: Wimborne Rd West, Stapehill, Ferndown
Contact: 01202 861686

Stourhead Gardens

Discover the unforgettable magic of this world-famous 18th century landscape garden, Palladian mansion, parkland, woods and chalk downs.

Location: Stourton Warminster BA12 6QD
Tel: 01747 841152
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead

Tarrant Crawford Church and surrounding countryside - Tarrant Crawford

Tarrant Crawford Church which 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.

Win Green Near Tollard Royal

An important site locally for nature conservation which also gives fantastic views over the surrounding countryside, Win Green Hill, is actually the highest point of Cranborne Chase.