Attractions and Days Out in Dorset
The award winning heritage coast begins in Poole Harbour and includes the Purbeck coastline - the site of many special nature reserves and countryside parks, further west is the spectacular Chesil Bank, a barren pebbled beach stretching some 16 miles from Weymouth to Bridport.
Dorset in the east is low lying, with extensive heath lands while in the centre lie the Dorset Downs an area of extensive chalk downland with many rivers and streams - officially recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. West Dorset is hillier, with a rich landscape of woodland and fields while to the north Dorset is dominated by Blackmore Vale a large plain which in summer is a lush pastoral landscape.
Further to the south is a country of high chalkland with hills approaching 1,000 feet and fine panoramic views from the Isle of Wight and the Purbeck Hills, ideal countryside for walking, riding or just picnicking and admiring the views.
Behind Dorset’s varied coastline lies a county rich in archaeology, unspoilt rural villages and countryside, and a history to be proud of.
From before Roman times Dorset has been a jewel in England's Crown and a photographer's paradise (OK so the Romans didn’t have cameras, who cares, if you are that picky seriously you need to come here and relax!).
Rolling hillsides, dramatic cliffs, sweeping beaches, sleepy villages, bustling towns, quiet countryside - Dorset's charms are there for all to see!
The main towns of Bournemouth and Poole are a hive of night-time activity as well as many pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Theatres include the Pavilion and Pier in Bournemouth and the Regent Centre in Christchurch .
We have put together an attractions guide to help you decide what to see and do in and around Dorset.
If you would like us to add something please feel free to drop us a line at
enquiries@hotels-dorset.co.uk
We would appreciate it if you report dead links, please
Activity Centres in Dorset
Churches and Abbeys in Dorset
Gardens in Dorset
Golf in Dorset
Museums and Visitor Centres in Dorset
Riding Centres in Dorset
Sightseeing in Dorset
Stately Homes and Castles in Dorset
Water Sports in Dorset
Zoos, Aquariums, Children's Farms and Animal Attractions in Dorset
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Activity Centres in Dorset
Bournemouth Helicopters
Hangar 600, Bournemouth Airport, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6SE
Tel: 01202 590800
Flying Frenzy Paragliding
Flying Frenzy Paragliding Ltd. The Old Dairy, Manor Farm, Burton, Bradstock, Dorset, DT6 4QA
Tel: 01308 898777
Challenge Leisure - Paintball, Quadbiking and Clay Pigeon Shooting
Challenge Leisure, Matchams Leisure Park, Hurn Road, Matchams, Near Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2BT
Tel: 01202 877899
Henley Hillbillies - Quadbiking, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Off Road Mini Mavericks and Hovercraft
Old Henley Farm, Buckland Newton, Dorchester, Dorset. DT2 7BL
Tel: 01300 345293
Adventure Wonderland
Merritown Lane, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BA
Tel: 01202 4834445
Littledown Leisure Centre
Littledown Leisure Centre, Chaseside, Bournemouth, BH7 7DX
Tel: 01929 450 354
Littledown's facilities include Swimming Pools & Waterslides, Spa, Sports Hall, Gym, Spinning Room, Studios, Squash Courts, Sunbed Rooms,
Creche, Cafe & Bar, Artificial Football Pitches, Cricket Pitch, Kids Play Area with paddling pool and Miniature Railway
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Riding Centres in Dorset
Beach Riding on Studland Beach
Studland Riding Stables, Ferry Road, Studland, Dorset, BH19 3AQ
Tel: 01929 450273
Llama Trekking in Dorset - I kid you not! (although it's not really riding!)
UK Llamas, New House Farm, Mosterton, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3HE
Tel: 01308 868674
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Golf in Dorset
Weymouth Golf Club
Golf Club House, Links Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 0PF
Tel: 01305 750831
One of the friendliest Golf Clubs in the south, Weymouth Golf Club welcomes visitors and have package options available for groups of four or more.
Facilities include:
Practice Range, Fully Stocked Pro-Shop, Buggy Hire, All Day Catering and Lounge Bar
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Water Sports in Dorset
Poole Windsurfing
Shore Road, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7PQ
Tel: 01202 237247
Poole Windsurfing is a dedicated windsurf school, offering windsurfing lessons and windsurf equipment hire in Poole Harbour, known as the UK's top location to learn and progress.
Instruction is provided for all levels using the latest equipment and at competitive prices.
Much of the business is through word of mouth about the quality of instruction and is what keeps people coming back for more throughout their windsurfing career!
Poole Harbour Watersports
284 Sandbanks Road, Lilliput, Poole, Dorset, BH14 8HU
Tel: 01202 700503
Windsurfing, kitesurfing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, body boarding, snorkeling and surf canoeing
South Coast Kitesurfing
South Coast Kitesurfing, Poole, Dorset
Tel: 0845 241 24 22
Kitesurfing
Rockley Watersports
Rockley Watersports Sailing Centre, Rockley Point, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4RW
Tel: 0870 777 0541
Sailing, windsurfing and Powerboating
Shell Bay Watersports
Ferry Road, Studland, Dorset, BH19 3BA
Tel: 01929 450399
windsurfing and Powerboating
Absolute Aqua Ltd - RYA Powerboat Training Centre UK
Dorset Lake Ship Yard, Lake Drive, Hamworthy, Dorset, BH15 4DT
Tel: 01202 666118
Powerboat Training UK
Powerboat Training UK, The Slipway, Cobbs Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4EL
Tel: 01202 686666
Yellow Penguin Boat Hire
Yellow Penguin Ltd, Mitchells Yard, Turks Lane, Off Sandbanks Road, Poole, Dorset, BH14 8EW
Tel: 01202 710448
Self Drive and Charter Hire
Dorset Cruises
Bournemouth Pier, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5AA
Tel: 01202 558550
Pleasure Cruises and Boat Charters in Dorset
Diving Leisure
Diving Leisure, 10 Benson Road, Nuffield Industrial Estate, Poole, Dorset, BH17 0GB
Tel: 01202 680898
Poole Sea Angling Charters
Poole, Dorset, BH17 8SU
Tel: 01202 600 731
Random Harvest Charters
Dolphin Haven Marina, Fishermans Dock, Poole Quay, Dorset, BH14 1HJ
Tel: 01202 556115
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Zoos, Aquariums, Children's Farms and Animal Attractions in Dorset
Bournemouth Oceanarium
Pier Approach, West Beach, Bournemouth, BH2 5AA
Tel: 01202 311 993
Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary
Weymouth Sea Life Park & Marine Sanctuary is situated on Weymouth’s seafront
Tel: 01305 761070
Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park
Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PY
Tel: 01305 215003
Monkeyworld (Especially for Georgina and Rebecca)
Monkeyworld, Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HH
Tel: 01929 462537
New Forest Wildlife Park
Deerleap Lane, Longdown, Near Ashurst, Southampton, SO40 4UH
Tel: 023 8029 2408
Abbotsbury Swannery and Children's Farm
New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JG
Tel: 01305 871858
Farmer Palmers Farm Park
Organford near Holton Heath, Dorset
Tel: 01202 622022
Putlake Adventure Farm
Putlake Adventure Farm, Langton Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3EU
Tel: 01929 422917
Badger and Nightlife Watch in the Heart of Dorset
Old Henley Farm, Buckland Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7BL
Tel: 01300 345293
Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre
The Old Lower Light, Portland Bill, Dorset, England, DT5 2JT
Tel: 01305 820553
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Sightseeing in Dorset
The Bournemouth Balloon
The Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2AQ
Tel: 01202 314539
The Blue Pool and Tea Room
The Blue Pool, Furzebrook, Near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AT
Tel: 01929 551408
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Gardens in Dorset
Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens
Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Tel: 01305 871387
Athelhampton House and Gardens
Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LG
Tel: 01305 848363
Bennets Water Gardens
Bennetts Water Gardens, Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4AF
Tel: 01305 785150
Compton Acres
164 Canford Cliffs Road, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7ES
Tel: 01202 700778
Cranborne Manor Estate
Cranborne, Dorset, BH21 5PS
Tel: 01725 517289
Durlston Country Park & Marine Project
Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL
Tel: 01929 424443
Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park
Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PY
Tel: 01305 215003
Mapperton House and Gardens
Mapperton Gardens, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Tel: 01308 862645
Shaftsbury Abbey and Gardens
Park Walk, Shaftesbury, SP7 8JR
Tel: 01747 852910
Sherborne Castle and Gardens
Sherborne Castle, Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PY
Tel: 01935 813182
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Churches and Abbeys in Dorset
Priory Church Christchurch
The Priory Church, Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU
Shaftsbury Abbey
Park Walk, Shaftesbury, SP7 8JR
Tel: 01747 852910
A Comprehensive List of Churches in Dorset
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This website looks like a labour of love has gone into producing it!
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Stately Homes and Castles in Dorset
Athelhampton House and Gardens
Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LG
Tel: 01305 848363
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5EZ
Tel: 01929 481294
Highcliffe Castle
Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset BH23 4LE
Tel: 01425 278807
Kingston Lacy Country Mansion and Gardens
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA
Tel: 01202 880413
Lulworth Castle and Park
Lulworth Castle and Park, Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Dorset
Tel: 0845 450 1054
Mapperton House and Gardens
Mapperton Gardens, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Tel: 01308 862645
Portland Castle
Portland Castle, Castletown, Portland Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset, DT5 1AZ
Tel: 01305 820539
Rufus Castle
Rufus Castle, Access via Church Ope Road, off Wakeham Street, Portland
Tel: 01305 820539
Opening Times: Unknown
Sherborne Castle and Gardens
Sherborne Castle, Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PY
Tel: 01935 813182
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Museums and Visitor Centres in Dorset
Beaminster Museum
Whitcombe Road, Beaminster Dorset, DT8 3BU
Tel: 01308 863 623
Opening Times: Tue, Thurs Sat & Bank Holidays: 10.30 – 12.30, 2.30 – 4.30, Sundays: 2.30 – 4.30
Opening Times: Open Easter to End of September
Blandford Museum
Bere's Yard, Market Place, Blandford Forum,
DT11 7HQ
Tel: 01202-580858
Bournemouth Aviation Museum - guardians of aviation history
Hangar 600, Bournemouth Airport, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 6SE
Tel: 01202-580858
Bridport Museum
The Coach House, Gundry Lane, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3RJ
Tel: 01308 422116
The Blandford Fashion Museum
Lime Tree House, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7AA
Tel: 01258 453006
The Dinosaur Museum
Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset
Tel: 01305 269880
The Dorset County Museum
High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
Tel: 01305 262735
The Keep Military Museum
Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RN
Tel: 01305 264066
Mill House Cider Museum
Owermoigne, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8HZ
Tel: 01305 852220
Nothe Fort
Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UF
Tel: 01305 766626
Lyme Regis Museum
Lyme Regis, DT7 3QA
Tel: 01297 443370
Red House Museum and Garden
Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU
Tel: 01202 482860
Opening Times: Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 2pm- 5pm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AA
Tel: 01202 451858
Sherborne Museum
Abbey Gatehouse, Church Lane, Sherborne, DT9 3BP
Tel: 01935 812252
Swanage Museum
Swanage Heritage Centre, The Square, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2LJ
Tel: 01929 423174
The Bovington Tank Museum
Bovington, Dorset BH20 6JG
Tel: 01929 405096
The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum
Eastgate, Corner of High East Street & Salisbury Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1JU
Tel: 01305 266040
Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
Tolpuddle, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7EH
Tel: 01305 848 237
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