Dorset

2 miles from Lewesdon Hill

Lewesdon Hill is the highest point in Dorset, England, managed by the National Trust with notable walking paths, natural scenery, and a WWII Spitfire crash memorial. The site offers outdoor exploration of its summit ridge, woodland, and historical significance.

2 miles from Clouds Hill

Clouds Hill is an early 19th-century isolated cottage in Dorset that was the home of T. E. Lawrence, now a museum preserving his original furniture and an exhibition about his life. It offers visitors an intimate look into the life of Lawrence of Arabia within a historic Grade II* listed building.

3 miles from Edmondsham House

Edmondsham House is a historic country house featuring Tudor and Georgian architecture, set within extensive gardens including a walled organic garden and unusual trees. Visitors can explore both the house interiors and outdoor gardens, with nearby historic landmarks such as a 12th-century church.

Located in Verwood

Verwood is a historic market town in Dorset, England, known for its cultural heritage, community events, and local pottery industry, with accessible amenities, recreational facilities, and a walkable town centre.

2 miles from Mapperton Estate

Mapperton Estate in Dorset features award-winning historic gardens set in a steep combe with formal topiary areas, an arboretum, and beautiful sea views. The garden offers family-friendly facilities including a play area, refreshments, and plant sales, with access free for RHS members on selected days.

Located in Beaminster

Beaminster is a historic market town in Dorset, England, known for its Anglo-Saxon origins, architectural heritage including St Mary's parish church, and vibrant cultural scene with annual music and arts festivals.

2 miles from Barrington Court

Barrington Court is a Tudor manor house in Somerset, combining historic architecture with Arts and Crafts-style gardens originally designed by Gertrude Jekyll. Visitors can explore the historic house, converted stable buildings, and extensive ornamental gardens including a kitchen garden supplying the onsite restaurant.

2 miles from UPDATED: Remarkable Rangers: Apple Harvest Weekends

10–11 Oct (this weekend)

Visitors can join the Ranger team to collect apples from Barrington Court’s orchards, which contain more than 100 varieties. The harvest activity takes place across the first two weekends of October.

3 miles from Pilsdon Pen

Pilsdon Pen is a 277-metre hill in Dorset, featuring an Iron Age multivallate hillfort with archaeological remains, offering panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. It is accessible via outdoor walking routes and is managed by the National Trust.

2 miles from Lulworth Castle

Lulworth Castle & Park is a historic 17th-century country house set in extensive parkland in Dorset. Visitors can tour the partly restored castle with its chapel and church, enjoy woodland walks, panoramic countryside views from the tower, and relax at the on-site tearoom. The grounds include a children's playground, picnic areas, and walking paths suitable for dogs on leads.

3 miles from New Forest Northern Commons

New Forest Northern Commons is a vast open landscape in Hampshire featuring walking trails through heathland and ancient woodland pasture, home to rare wildlife and shaped by traditional commoning livestock grazing. Visitors can explore diverse habitats and enjoy a natural, historic environment outdoors.

3 miles from Hive Beach

Hive Beach is a scenic shingle beach on the Jurassic Coast known for spectacular coastal views, wildlife spotting, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, accessible facilities including mobility scooter hire, and a café with coastal views.

Near Christchurch Castle

Christchurch Castle in Dorset is a historic Norman motte and bailey castle featuring ruins of a stone keep and the Constable's House, a rare Norman domestic dwelling. The site offers outdoor exploration of the castle grounds and gardens, as well as indoor experience of the preserved Constable's House, managed by English Heritage.

Located in Christchurch

Christchurch is a historic town on the south coast of Dorset, England, featuring a medieval priory, castle ruins, a picturesque harbour, and vibrant cultural events, making it a popular and accessible tourist destination.

3 miles from Stock Gaylard House

Stock Gaylard House is a Georgian historic house set in a large estate with ancient deer park and extensive gardens. Visitors can enjoy conducted tours inside the house and explore the surrounding church and gardens at their leisure during specific open periods in the year.

3 miles from Golden Cap

Golden Cap Estate in Dorset offers stunning coastal views from the highest point on the South West coast along with accessible woodland and circular walks, wildlife spotting, and family-friendly trails. Facilities include a coffee trailer and accessible toilets, with parking available at designated car parks. The estate is rich in natural beauty and suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities.

2 miles from Ballard Down

Ballard Down is a scenic chalk downland area on the Purbeck Hills in Dorset, featuring coastal views between Studland Bay and Swanage Bay, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, with grassland managed by the National Trust and a historic obelisk landmark.

3 miles from Home Educators Sessions (all ages)

12 Oct, 9 Nov…

Home educators and children can join nature-based sessions at Studland, with seasonal activities such as arts and crafts, spotter walks and scavenger hunts. The listed sessions focus on woodland scavenging and crafts in October, fungi in November, and a winter beach scavenger hunt and festive crafts in December.

Located in Swanage

Swanage is a charming coastal town in Dorset, England, known for its Victorian heritage, sandy beach, and beautiful bay. It offers a mix of historical landmarks, cultural venues, and outdoor activities, making it a popular tourist destination on the Jurassic Coast.

2 miles from Castlepoint Shopping Centre

Castlepoint is a large retail park in Bournemouth, Dorset, featuring around 40 shops and multiple dining options within a two-level indoor shopping environment, supported by a spacious car park.

Located in Bournemouth

Bournemouth is a vibrant coastal resort town in Dorset, England, famous for its seven-mile sandy beaches, Victorian architecture, lively nightlife, cultural venues, and tourism. It combines historic charm with modern attractions and hosts various festivals and events.

2 miles from Lytchett Fields

Lytchett Fields is a wetland nature reserve in Dorset offering visitors the chance to observe a wide variety of wading birds and wildlife in their natural habitat, with walking trails and viewpoints across protected pools and marshland.

3 miles from Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed Gothic mansion on a cliff top in Dorset, offering restored historic interiors with exhibitions and beach access. Visitors can explore the house, enjoy the scenic grounds, and use the on-site cafe and picnic areas.

Near Moignes Court

Moignes Court in Dorset is a historic house with medieval earthworks, a moat, and ancient fishpond remains. Visitors can explore two rooms inside the house and enjoy the grounds with guided tours on select days between May and June. Facilities include accessible parking and toilets, free parking, and a picnic area.

Near Stembridge Tower Mill

Stembridge Tower Mill in Somerset is the last thatched windmill in England, built in 1822. It features four floors, retains historic millstones, and is a Grade II* listed building managed by the National Trust, offering visitors a glimpse into historic milling indoors.

3 miles from Breamore House

Breamore House is an Elizabethan manor house in Hampshire offering visitors an immersive experience of fine paintings, tapestries, and period furniture, set within beautiful parkland. The house has wheelchair accessible routes and a café, providing a comfortable visit amidst historic surroundings.

Near Lodmoor

Lodmoor is a wildlife nature reserve in Weymouth with varied habitats including reedbeds, saltmarsh, and wet grassland attracting diverse bird species. It features accessible trails, a viewing screen, and is free to the public for outdoor wildlife experiences.

Located in Weymouth

Weymouth is a historic seaside town in Dorset known for its Georgian architecture, vibrant harbour, and role as a gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It offers rich cultural experiences, beaches, water sports, and annual events including beach sports and festivals.

2 miles from Old Harry Rocks

Old Harry Rocks are distinctive chalk stacks and formations on the Isle of Purbeck coast in Dorset, marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the natural coastal landscape and admire views including the Isle of Wight's Needles.

2 miles from Discover the Hidden Fungi of Studland: A Guided Walk with Andy Knott

9 Oct, 29 Oct…

Join fungi expert Andy Knott for a guided walk through Studland’s woodland, observing and learning to identify native fungi and other species in their natural habitat.

2 miles from Abbotsbury Abbey

Abbotsbury Abbey in Dorset is a historic site featuring the remains of an 11th century Benedictine monastery, including the world's largest thatched tithe barn and St Catherine's Chapel. Visitors explore extensive outdoor ruins and heritage buildings managed by English Heritage, alongside the celebrated Abbotsbury Swannery nature reserve nearby.

3 miles from Eggardon Hill

Eggardon Hill is a prehistoric Iron Age hillfort located on chalk uplands in Dorset, England. Visitors can explore large earthworks and enjoy extensive views of the countryside and English Channel. The site is partly owned by the National Trust and offers free public access throughout the year.

Near Radipole Lake

RSPB Radipole Lake is a nature reserve in the centre of Weymouth featuring extensive reedbeds and lagoons that provide a habitat for a variety of birds and animals. Visitors can enjoy wheelchair accessible trails, a discovery centre with indoor exhibits and a cafe, as well as opportunities for birdwatching and exploring outdoor nature. The reserve is free to enter and offers designated dog-friendly routes for visitors.

Near St Giles House

St Giles House is a historic family home in Dorset with over 400 years of history, restored after a period of disrepair. Visitors can arrange group tours of the house, which features accessibility accommodations and hosts events throughout the year.

3 miles from Fiddleford Manor

Fiddleford Manor is a medieval manor house in Dorset dating back to around 1370, featuring original interiors and restored by English Heritage, open to public visits throughout the year.

2 miles from Spyway

Spyway in Dorset offers a distinctive limestone coastal landscape with towering sea cliffs, grasslands rich in wildlife, historic sea quarries, and scenic walking trails along the South West Coast Path. It is a natural outdoor destination welcoming well-behaved dogs and free to the public.

3 miles from Knoll Gardens and Nursery

Knoll Gardens near Wimborne, Dorset is a renowned naturalistic garden featuring innovative planting styles like Dry Meadow, Rain Garden, and Prairie. It hosts diverse wildlife and showcases national plant collections, attracting visitors for its evolving horticultural displays.

2 miles from Kingston Russell Stone Circle

Kingston Russell Stone Circle is the largest stone circle in Dorset, dating from the Bronze Age and consisting of eighteen sarsen stones arranged in an oval. The monument is set on a chalk ridge overlooking the sea, open to the public during daylight hours and managed by English Heritage as a scheduled ancient site.

2 miles from Maiden Castle

Maiden Castle is a large Iron Age hill fort in Dorset, England, known as one of the largest and most complex hill forts in Britain and Europe. Visitors can explore extensive ramparts, ditches, and archaeological features including a Neolithic enclosure and a Roman temple site. The site is managed by English Heritage and open to the public.

Located in Bridport

Bridport is a historic market town in Dorset known for its Saxon origins, rope-making heritage, vibrant arts scene, literary festivals, and scenic coastal setting near West Bay and the Jurassic Coast.

Near Jordan Hill Roman Temple

Jordan Hill Roman Temple is an ancient Romano-Celtic temple ruin located on Jordan Hill above Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, Dorset. The site, managed by English Heritage, is open freely during daylight hours and offers visitors the chance to explore a historic Roman religious site outdoors with scenic views.

3 miles from Badbury Rings

Badbury Rings is an Iron Age hill fort in east Dorset notable for its extensive earthworks, nearby Roman road junction, and adjacent Romano-British town site. It is an outdoor site managed by the National Trust with free public access and offers historical insights into Iron Age and Roman Britain.

2 miles from Mapperton House, Garden & Wildlands

Mapperton House is a historic Jacobean manor in Dorset featuring guided house tours, extensive Italianate gardens, and wildlands with a self-guided safari. Visitors can enjoy food facilities, child-friendly activities, and accessible amenities in a scenic countryside setting.

3 miles from Forde Abbey & Gardens

Forde Abbey is a historic former Cistercian monastery set in Dorset countryside with 30 acres of diverse, beautifully maintained gardens showcasing seasonal floral displays and natural features. It offers visitors a rich outdoor experience of nature and heritage.

2 miles from Dolphin Shopping Centre

Dolphin Shopping Centre is a large covered shopping mall located in Poole, Dorset, featuring over 90 retail units across three floors. It provides a fully accessible indoor shopping experience, a variety of food and drink options, and a health village healthcare clinic. The centre also offers children's play sculptures and is integrated with Poole Bus Station, forming a key town centre hub.

3 miles from Free daily guided red squirrel walks

7–23 Oct (another 14 days)

Join a volunteer for a guided woodland walk on Brownsea Island to look for red squirrels as they forage for food.

Located in Poole

Poole is a historic coastal town and seaport in Dorset, England, known for its large natural harbour, maritime heritage, sandy beaches, cultural attractions, and lively shopping and dining scene.

Near Athelhampton House & Gardens

Athelhampton House & Gardens is a fine Tudor manor house featuring well-preserved historic interiors and extensive award-winning gardens with architectural vistas and unique topiary. Visitors can explore period rooms, enjoy garden walks, and participate in family-friendly events.

2 miles from White Mill

White Mill is an 18th-century water-powered corn mill near Sturminster Marshall in Dorset, featuring original milling machinery and historic architecture, preserved as a Grade II listed building and managed by the National Trust.

3 miles from The Pikachu Art Adventure at Kingston Lacy

7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)

Explore 30 Pikachu trading cards illustrated by different artists, discover facts about the character and design your own Pikachu card as part of an art adventure at Kingston Lacy.

Near Portland House, Weymouth

Portland House is a 20th-century detached house in Weymouth, Dorset, known for its 1930s Mediterranean villa design. It is managed by the National Trust and available as a holiday let with public open days twice annually.

3 miles from Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is a renowned 30-acre botanical garden in Dorset featuring rare and exotic plants from around the world, set on the Jurassic Coast. Visitors can explore extensive garden areas, enjoy seasonal events, and relax in the onsite cafe and shop. The gardens provide good wheelchair accessibility on designated paths and welcome well-behaved dogs on leads.

2 miles from Arne

RSPB Arne is a nature reserve in Dorset renowned for its diverse habitats and rare wildlife including all six native UK reptiles. Visitors can explore extensive heathlands, ancient oak woodland, wetlands and shoreline with facilities including accessible trails, a café, and events. Dog-friendly routes and mobility scooter hire enhance the visit experience in this outdoor wildlife haven.

3 miles from Home and Hearth: Archaeological finds exhibition

7–31 Oct (another 22 days)

An exhibition at Corfe Castle’s Welcome Centre presents archaeological finds from excavations, showing objects associated with everyday life in the medieval castle.

3 miles from Swell Wood

Swell Wood is an ancient woodland nature reserve in Somerset featuring three wildlife trails, diverse flora and fauna, and the largest Grey Heron breeding colony in South-West England. Visitors can explore accessible trails with viewpoints and a hide, enjoy picnics, and experience a rich natural habitat.

3 miles from Portland Castle

Portland Castle is a well-preserved 16th-century artillery fort on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, built by Henry VIII. It offers both indoor exploration of the historic castle rooms and outdoor enjoyment of its unique fan-shaped structure and gardens, telling the story of England's coastal defenses.

2 miles from Hod Hill

Hod Hill is Dorset's largest hillfort featuring visible Roman and Iron Age earthworks, scenic walking trails, and rich downland wildlife, accessible via village or lane car parks. Visitors can explore historic ramparts and enjoy countryside views.

Located in Blandford Forum

Blandford Forum is a historic market town in Dorset renowned for its extensive Georgian architecture, cultural museums, and annual Georgian Fayre festival, nestled beside the River Stour.

2 miles from Sherborne Castle & Gardens

Sherborne Castle in Dorset is a historic house built by Sir Walter Raleigh, set in extensive Capability Brown landscaped gardens with a serpentine lake. Visitors can explore the immersive castle interiors showcasing centuries of history and art, enjoy scenic outdoor walks, wildlife viewing, garden features, and children’s trails. Food is available on-site in the Walled Garden Restaurant and dogs are welcome in the gardens on short leads.

2 miles from Ringstead Bay

Ringstead Bay is a tranquil stretch of the Dorset coast renowned for its pebble beach, clear bathing waters, and rich natural history on the Jurassic Coast. Visitors can enjoy scenic cliff top walks, bird watching, and seasonal wildflower meadows in an outdoor setting.

3 miles from Deans Court

Deans Court is an elegant historic Georgian house set in ancient and romantic gardens in Wimborne Minster, featuring heritage interiors, a monastic fishpond, and a café, offering guided tours and special events access primarily for Historic Houses members and paying visitors.

Located in Wimborne Minster

Wimborne Minster is a historic market town in Dorset, England, known for its Saxon church, cultural festivals, preserved architecture, and active community events.