Out and About in Dorset
The gorgeous county of Dorset offers endless undulating hills, splendid countryside, quaint villages, soft sandy beaches and a coastline so unequalled that it has recently received World Heritage status…
Adventure Wonderland Family Fun Park
This theme park is most certainly a family favourite, guaranteed to provide an exciting day crammed with themed rides and entertainment! Visit the Ghostly Galleon, an exciting pirate swingboat, and the Queen's Big Bouncer. There's also the ever-popular Space Orbiter, the Duchess' fragrant Herb Garden, Alice themed croquet plus much, much more! The Park also contains one of the largest mazes in the UK, which is based on the characters from the Alice in Wonderland stories.
During weekends and school holidays, the characters of Alice, the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit present a hilarious panto-style show in the Alice Theatre or outside on the Storytelling Lawn in good weather. Lounge, cafe, shop and party room.
Abbotsbury Swannery
This is Dorset's world famous sanctuary for hundreds of nesting swans and their broods. From mid-May to the end of June you can watch the beautiful cygnets hatching. Mass feeding sessions are held at 12 noon and 4pm daily.
Touch one of the first Bouncing Bombs, tested there on The Fleet in 1943. Live outdoor theatre, play area, ugly duckling trail, coffee shop and gift shop.
OPEN 7 days a week during spring, summer and autumn. Mid-March to beginning of October, 10am to 6pm; last admission 5pm. During October, 10am to 5pm; last admission 4pm. Tel: 01305 871858
Athelhampton House & Gardens
One of the premium manor houses in England with some parts dating back to as early as the 15th century. The house was built by Sir William Martyn, and almost became derelict after several hundred years of neglect, until it was restored in the 1890s by Alfred Cart de Lafontaine. Athelhampton was bought by the Cooke family in 1957 and is still their family home today.
The magnificent gardens contain spectacular fountains, pools and the River Piddle as well as camellias, magnolias, roses, sub-tropical plants and rare trees providing interest in season.
The Topiary Restaurant, Bar and Tearoom serve snacks, light lunches, cream teas and a la carte or a carvery for Sunday luncheon. Gift shop.
Weymouth Sea Life Park & Marine Sanctuary
Special talks and feeding demonstrations provide an interesting and exciting insight into the marvels of the marine world. Watch the penguins, otters, seals, seahorses and other creatures flourish in their own environment. The Park seeks to exhibit the beauty of these creatures whilst informing and educating them about the marine environment. The Sea Life network takes action to safeguard the world's oceans and creatures that live in them. You can even find out about the pioneering breeding programmes and rescue and rehabilitation of sea creatures in distress.
Swanage Railway
This is Dorset’s most premier steam railway, which boasts unique views of the imposing ruins of Corfe Castle. Special events are held throughout the year, including Days Out with Thomas the tank engine and friends, the chance to drive a 130 tonne steam locomotive over the demanding gradients of the spectacular Purbeck Line, and Santa Specials in December.
Enjoy a 5-course meal on board The Wessex Belle dining train. This popular Dorset attraction operates regularly throughout the year and is available for private hire and corporate events.
Buffets available at Swanage and Norden stations serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. Swanage station also has a Railway Shop.
The Blue Pool
This attraction is so incredible it’s hard to believe you’re not in Canadia or even Norway, due to the dramaitc changes it goes through as the seasons pass. Due to the fact that the Pool was once a clay pit, it retains tiny parts of clay in the water, which refract the light entering the Pool, which magically changes the colours of the water. It has been described as emerald green, turquoise and others.
Although the pool is the main attraction, you will also find a museum celebrating the history of clay mining in the area, as well as a gift shop and tea rooms, which themselves hold some amount of history - Again built in 1935, from sand and lime bricks, finished with a Canadian cederwood roof, the building fits in very well with its surroundings, speaking of which the surrounding woodland walkways are well worth some time spent.
Sherborne Castle
SHerborne Castle was originally built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and has been been the home of the Digby family since 1617.
The State Rooms reflect a wonderful variety of decorative styles from the great periods of English history: Tudor, Jacobean, Georgian & Victorian, with beautiful collections of art, furniture and porcelain.
The Castle boasts an incredible 30 acres of lakeside gardens surround the 50 acre lake designed by Capability Brown in 1753. Across the lake to the north lies the ruins of Sherborne's old medieval castle, which succumbed to Cromwell's troops in 1645 during the Civil War.
The Lakeside Tea Room, which is on the site of the former nursery building, serves morning coffees, light lunches and afternoon tea. Gift shop located in Castle Courtyard.
Bovington Tank Museum
The world’s best collection of tanks, in an upgraded £16m Museum. From the world‘s first tank to the modern Challenger 2, you will see over 200 vehicles from across the globe! Walk through the Trench Experience and see live tank displays during school holidays.
Open daily, 10.00am – 5.00pm.
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
A 65-acre woodland park in the centre of the Dorset countryside that is home to over 160 rescued and endangered apes and monkeys.
Talks are given by their expert keepers every 30 minutes from midday onwards. This Dorset attraction has cafes, picnic areas, gift shop and children's amusements.
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle was crushed by Cromwell's men in 1646 and its impressive ruin is now a popular tourist attraction. The ruins we see today are actually an 11th century re-build of a wooden castle dating back to the 9th century.
The castle and village of Corfe are built largely from the local Purbeck stone, which is probably the best limestone available for building and polishing in England.
Corfe Castle, which has been described as "one of the most evocative ruined castles in England", is now owned by the National Trust. There is an extensive country estate to discover and explore and the Swanage Railway operates a steam train service to Corfe.
words by Lucinda Okane