Monkey World

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.

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 Garston Wood

Garston Wood is an ancient woodland nature reserve in Wiltshire, known for its rich wildlife including dormice and colorful wildflowers like bluebells. The site offers outdoor walking paths with natural surfaces and is open free to the public year-round, but has no visitor facilities or food available.

2 miles from Sherborne Castle

Sherborne Castle is a historic 16th-century Tudor mansion set within 1200 acres of Capability Brown-designed gardens in Dorset, with ruins of a 12th-century castle on the grounds. Visitors can explore both the partly open mansion and extensive outdoor gardens, with special events throughout the year.

2 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.

Located in Ferndown

Ferndown is a town in Dorset noted for its historic parish churches, extensive woodland and heathland, notable garden centre heritage, and active community sports and cultural facilities.

3 miles from 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.

2 miles from Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is a Victorian villa in Bournemouth featuring historic art collections, galleries, and a Japanese treasures room, alongside a small garden and a cafe with sea views. The venue offers tours, live music, and is mostly wheelchair accessible with facilities for children.

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.

3 miles from 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.

Located in Chickerell

Chickerell is a small town in Dorset near Weymouth, known for its scenic proximity to Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast, with local industry and leisure amenities including Bennetts Water Gardens and woodland walks.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

2 miles from Hambledon Hill

Hambledon Hill is a prehistoric hill fort in Dorset featuring Neolithic and Iron Age earthworks. The site is a National Nature Reserve with significant wildlife and is owned by the National Trust, offering outdoor historical and natural exploration.

Near Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is a historic 11th-century ruined stone castle atop a hill in Dorset, England, known for its medieval architecture and role in the English Civil War. Visitors can explore the castle ruins, enjoy scenic views, and learn about its rich history under National Trust care.

Near 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 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 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.

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 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.