Dorset Holidays:

Places to visit in and around Dorset, include:

Monkey World, nr Wareham

Set up in 1987 by J & Alison Cronin to provide a permanent home for abused rescued Spanish beach chimpanzees, which have been smuggled illegally from Africa.
www.monkeyworld.co.uk Tel: 01929 462532

Bovington Tank Museum, nr Wareham

The Tank Museum in Bovington Dorset houses the world's largest and finest collection of Armoured Fighting Vehicles from unique World War I tanks to the latest main battle tank of the British Army – Challenger. The museum has a collection of almost 300 vehicles from over 26 countries.
www.tankmuseum.co.uk

Abbotsbury Swannery, Abbotsbury

The only colony of Mute Swans open to the public in the world. Established by Benedictine Monks in 1393. Don't miss the mass feeding of up to 600 swans at 12 noon & 4 pm everyday.

Abbotsbury Gardens

Sub-tropical gardens first established in 1765 and now on a 20 acre site with rare and exotic plants from all over the world.
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk

Dorset's Jurassic Coast

Enlgand's first natural World Heritage Site, stretching for 95 miles from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. Unique natural wonder encompassing the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods of the earth's formation.
www.jurassiccoast.com

Maiden Castle, 2 miles south of Dorchester

The largest Iron Age Hill Fort in Europe, immense earth works, massive ditches and a Bronze Age burial mound

Cerne Abbas Giant, Cerne Abbas

The largest hill figure in Britain – carved from the chalk it is 180 feet high. Numerous theories as to when and why the giant was created.

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Steep cobbled street lined with thatched and tiled cottages, with views across Blackmore Vale. At the top is Shaftesbury's town museum. Gold Hill Fair takes place in July. The ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey, founded by King Alfred in 888 AD are closeby.

   

Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster

Stately home with collection of old master paintings, wooded parkland, formal gardens, children's adventure playground.
Tel: 01202 883402

Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour

Peaceful island/nature reserve in Poole Harbour, a haven for wildlife including red squirrels; fine walks on waymarked trails. Half-hourly boat service from Poole Quay and Sandbanks.
Tel: 01202 707744

Corfe Castle, nr Wareham

Spectacular ruins of a Norman Castle, begun by William the Conqueror, strategically positioned in the Purbeck Hills.
Tel: 01929 481294

Studland Beach & Nature Reserve

3 miles of sandy beaches, a haven for rare birds, voted fourth top beach in the UK by 'Which?' magazine.
Tel: 01929 450259 (Purbeck Estate Office)

Hardy's Cottage, Higher Bockhampton, nr Dorchester.

Home of the author, Thomas Hardy until the age of 34. early novels written there.
Tel: 01927 561900

Hardy's Monument, Black Down, nr Dorchester

Monument erected in 1844 to Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy of HMS Victory. Superb views across heath and sweeping farmland to the sea.
Tel: 01297 561900

Tourist Information Centres in Dorset
Listed by district and town or village:

Bournemouth — Tel: 01202 451700

Christchurch — Tel: 01202 471780

Poole — Tel: 01202 253253

Purbeck

• Swanage — Tel: 01929 422885
• Wareham — Tel: 01929 552740

Rural Dorset

• Blandford — Tel: 01258 454770
• Shaftesbury — Tel: 01747 853514
• Wimborne Minster — Tel: 01202 886116

Weymouth & Portland — Tel: 01305 785747

West Dorset

• Bridport — Tel: 01308 424901
• Dorchester — Tel: 01305 267992
• Lyme Regis — Tel: 01297 442138
• Sherborne — Tel: 01935 815341

Holiday cottages to rent in Dorset | Dorset coastal cottages | Self-catering holiday accommodation in Dorset