Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset is a 65-acre outdoor sanctuary and rescue centre housing over 250 primates across 20 species, including Europe's only orangutan crèche and the largest group of chimpanzees outside Africa. It focuses on rescuing abused and smuggled primates and rehabilitates them in a natural environment.
A restored 17th-century thatched farmhouse in Dorset's Sherborne area set in a peaceful village location near countryside walks, historic houses, and the Jurassic Coast.
A spacious and comfortable home near the coast with accommodation spread over three floors, featuring multiple bedrooms and family-friendly amenities within walking distance to beaches and local shops.
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.
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.
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.
The Farmhouse is a stylish and luxury detached holiday home located in a rural setting within a collection of holiday homes, suitable for multi-generational stays and exploring nearby natural attractions.
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.
Wimborne Minster is a historic market town in Dorset, England, known for its Saxon church, cultural festivals, preserved architecture, and active community events.
Victoria Albert is a spacious countryside retreat near Sherborne with flexible accommodation for sixteen guests across five en-suite bedrooms, featuring a private hot tub, shared indoor heated swimming pool, games room, and lawned grounds with garden furniture, set on a working farm with nearby countryside attractions.
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.
This converted barn offers a peaceful private retreat set in a wild landscaped garden with views over farmland and the harbour, combining a rural atmosphere with proximity to coastal and countryside attractions.
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.
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.
Beatrice is a luxury barn conversion in a rural estate setting in Dorset offering stylish accommodation for up to ten guests with shared estate facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, games room, and outdoor activities in a countryside location.
This large Georgian terraced house on Weymouth seafront offers spacious accommodation over five floors with captivating sea and beach views, suitable for large families or groups, with nearby shops and pubs within 100 metres.
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.
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.
Jasmine is a semi-detached rural cottage ideal for family holidays, set in countryside surroundings with private outdoor space and access to shared leisure facilities.
Oakdene Lodge is a homely semi-detached property in a semi-rural location, ideal for couples or families exploring the Dorset area, featuring a large enclosed garden and close proximity to countryside walks and outdoor activities.
Wylye Croft is a spacious and luxurious five-bedroom holiday home in Martinstown near Dorchester, ideal for a multi-generational family celebration with private hot tub, woodburner, and beautiful countryside surroundings.
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.
This is a charming contemporary thatched cottage in West Lulworth village near Lulworth Cove, combining traditional and modern features with a private enclosed garden and parking.
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.
This is a modern farmhouse set in extensive farmland with panoramic countryside views, located near village amenities and within driving distance of coastal and historic attractions.
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.
Old Barn 1 is a stylish holiday home part of a rural collection, featuring open plan living, private outdoor space with patio and hot tub, and situated near scenic countryside ideal for walking and cycling.
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.
North Barn is a Grade II listed thatched property set in the English countryside near the village of Affpuddle, surrounded by fields and meadows with a rural and spacious atmosphere suited for families and groups to enjoy quality time together.
Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat offers spacious lodges set in a quiet, natural woodland and countryside environment ideal for a peaceful retreat surrounded by forest walks and nearby coastal towns.
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset is a 65-acre outdoor sanctuary and rescue centre housing over 250 primates across 20 species, including Europe's only orangutan crèche and the largest group of chimpanzees outside Africa. It focuses on rescuing abused and smuggled primates and rehabilitates them in a natural environment.
The Old Stone House is a historic 17th-century property in Swanage, Dorset, featuring original stonework and beams, laid out over three floors with scenic views and an enclosed garden, situated close to the town centre and local outdoor attractions.
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.
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.
Downwood Vineyard is a spacious Victorian house set in 30-acre grounds featuring a private hot tub, outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis court, and gardens, suitable for large families or groups seeking a rural retreat near Blandford in Dorset.
A stylish countryside sanctuary arranged over three floors with six bedrooms, games room, and private hot tub, set within over an acre of garden offering tranquil valley views in Dorset's Jurassic Coast area.
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.
A contemporary house located near the town centre with views over Radipole Lake, set in a gated cul-de-sac within walking distance of shops, restaurants, sandy beaches, and local attractions including nature reserves and historic sites.
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.
This accommodation is a recently converted barn offering a rural, country charm setting in the New Forest and Dorset area with scenic views and proximity to outdoor activities and local attractions.
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.
This accommodation is an elegant self-catering farmhouse on a working farm in Dorset featuring seven bedrooms and shared indoor swimming pool and sauna, ideal for large families or groups seeking a rural retreat with garden and play areas.
Helena is a converted Victorian barn set in the Dorset countryside that accommodates up to 8 guests with 4 ensuite bedrooms; it offers a peaceful rural environment with access to shared leisure facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, and games room, plus a private hot tub and outdoor space.
Weymouth Bay Holiday Park is located near Bowleaze Cove and the Jurassic Coast, offering a family-friendly environment with on-site entertainment, pools, beach access, and various activities within a coastal setting.
Jasmine Cottage is a thatched four-bedroom cottage in the Dorset village of Osmington, offering a tranquil rural setting with access to countryside and nearby coast, ideal for families and groups.
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.
This modern stylish holiday home is set in a rural location near the Dorset coast and the historic town of Wimborne, offering spacious accommodation with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with a private hot tub and games room overlooking fields.
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.
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.
Spacious semi-detached rural holiday home in Woolland, Dorset with three ensuite bedrooms, open-plan living space, private hot tub, and access to on-site leisure facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, games room, badminton court, and fishing lake, situated on a working farm.
This Grade II 13th-century detached stone tithe barn in Litton Cheney offers character accommodation for 19 guests with nine en-suite bedrooms and is set on a working farm in a scenic countryside location near Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast.
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.
Nothe View is a spacious and stylish four-bedroom townhouse in Weymouth, located within the Admirals Quarter development, offering a peaceful and contemporary setting close to beaches and town centre, ideal for families and children.
Brewers House is a Victorian three-storey terrace house in a quiet area near Brewers Quay and Weymouth's old harbour, accommodating up to seven guests with family-friendly and seaside features, including a garden and self-contained amenities.
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.
This elegant self-catering farmhouse on a working Dorset farm accommodates up to 16 guests in a rural setting with extensive gardens and child-friendly play areas, featuring indoor swimming pool and sauna as central attractions.
This offering is an 18th-century farmhouse located in Dorset countryside near the hamlet of Plush, known for its historic character, spaciousness, and rural setting with extensive farmland surroundings and nearby countryside attractions.
Bridge View is a charming Georgian townhouse holiday home in Weymouth, overlooking the historic harbor and lifting bridge, set in a scenic waterfront location with family-friendly and child-friendly features including a garden and cot availability.
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.
Old Barn 2 is a stylish holiday home set in a rural and scenic location near The New Forest, suitable for multi-generational stays and nature exploration.
Hill Farm Barn is a rural barn conversion located on the outskirts of Damerham offering a peaceful and cosy retreat surrounded by scenic countryside and suitable for families.
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.
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.
This four-bedroom holiday home near Poole is situated within Holes Bay Nature Park and offers a private heated outdoor swimming pool, enclosed garden with a sitting area, and views over Holes Bay. It is close to beaches, watersports, and local shops and restaurants, making it suitable for families and nature enthusiasts.
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.
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.
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.
This newly renovated 4-bedroom cottage in Dorset's Winterborne Valley offers a peaceful countryside retreat with stylish interiors, countryside views, and a private outdoor garden and patio area.
Leopold is a spacious barn conversion located in rural Dorset offering 4 ensuite bedrooms for up to 8 guests, ideal for families or groups, with countryside views and access to shared onsite facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, games room, fishing lakes, and a private hot tub.
Littlesea Holiday Park is situated on Dorset's Jurassic Coast near East Fleet lagoon and Chesil Beach, offering various activities and entertainment in a family-friendly coastal setting.
This spacious four-floor holiday home is directly opposite Weymouth beach, offering seven bedrooms with en-suite facilities and proximity to town centre and Jurassic Coast attractions, ideal for families or groups seeking a coastal stay.
Kastania is a charming four-bedroom detached holiday home in the village of Bere Regis, Dorset, offering a peaceful countryside retreat with access to nearby shops, pubs, and Dorset's coast and countryside.
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.
A 17th-century restored, stylish holiday home set within a large parkland estate with 8 individually designed ensuite kingsize bedrooms, suitable for groups and families.
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.
Old School Retreat is a stylish and sympathetically renovated four-bedroom converted Old School building located in the village of Puddletown, Dorset, offering a blend of historic charm and modern comfort with a peaceful village setting near a pub and shop.
A charming and contemporary thatched cottage in West Lulworth village near Lulworth Cove, combining traditional features with modern comforts in a coastal countryside setting.
A detached bungalow near Lulworth Cove accommodating 10 guests with 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, featuring stunning views of Dorset countryside and sea, an open fire, garden with outdoor seating, and private parking for one car.
A characterful 1800s cottage located in a rural area of East Burton, Dorset, featuring antique furnishings and surrounded by countryside near the Jurassic coastline and coastal attractions, suitable for families and groups up to 7 guests.
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.
The Swanage Beach House is a stylish celebration home near Swanage beach with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, offering a blend of elegance and comfort for groups up to 12 guests.
Spyway is a National Trust property in Dorset known for its 140 million-year-old dinosaur footprints and historic barn with smuggling history. Visitors can explore fossil footprints outdoors along the Priest's Way and experience local heritage.
This elegant Dorset holiday farmhouse accommodates up to 12 guests and is set on a working farm with extensive gardens and an enclosed orchard in a rural village setting.
The Pool House is a stylish and spacious countryside retreat in Thornhill, Dorset, accommodating up to eight guests with elegant interiors and stunning gardens in a rural setting near natural beauty and historic sites.
Cosy Haven is a light and spacious family home near the beach and local attractions in a cul-de-sac position close to Tuckton shopping area and riverside gardens, offering a private enclosed garden and easy access to sandy beaches and local amenities.
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.
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.
Seaview Holiday Park near Weymouth is a family-oriented coastal holiday park offering indoor and outdoor heated pools, direct beach access, daily entertainment and various children’s activities in a scenic south coast setting.
A historic Grade II listed four-bedroom house located near Chesil Beach in Portland offering a homely and peaceful coastal setting with enclosed front and rear courtyard gardens.
A modern and spacious house elevated to offer stunning countryside views near Lulworth Cove, featuring two furnished balconies, garden, and recently refurbished interiors suitable for families and pets.
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.
This detached stable conversion is set in a rural organic dairy farm with spacious open-plan living and surrounded by extensive countryside, offering a peaceful family-friendly retreat with access to outdoor space and countryside walks.