Explore
Bennetts Water Gardens
Only one mile from The Heritage, set over 8 acres, the gardens hold the National Plant Collection of Water Lilies with a Claude Monet style Japanese Bridge, Tropical House, Woodland Walks and Museum.
More info:Bennetts Water gardens website
Chesil Beach
One of Dorset’s most iconic land marks and home to the nearby Fleet Lagoon.
More info: www.chesilbeach.org
Weymouth
Our Historic seaside town and harbour just 3 miles from The Heritage.
More info: www.dorsets.co.uk
Abbotsbury
Visit the Swannery or Subtropical Gardens and walk up to St Catherine’s Chapel for wonderful views of the coast and Fleet Lagoon.
More info: abbotsburytickets.co.uk
Swanage Railway
Located in the Isle of Purbeck, the rebuilt Swanage Railway is the perfect place to enjoy a great family day out on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. The heritage railway attraction operates full-size steam and diesel passenger trains along the five and a half miles of line from Norden to Corfe Castle and down to the Victorian seaside town of Swanage.
More info: Swanage Railway website
Portland Bill Lighthouse
Portland Bill Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1906 to guide vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth as well as acting as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel.
More info: Portland Bill Visitor Centre
Lulworth Cove | Durdle Door
Possibly the two most iconic sights on Dorset’s Jurassic coastline.
More info: lulworth.com
Hardy Monument
Monument to Vice-Admiral Hardy, built in 1844 and standing on an exposed location, above the village of Portesham. Climb to the 120 steps to the top of the monument on certain days through the year and enjoy breathtaking views across Dorset and beyond.
More info: NT – Hardy Monument
Kimmeridge
Home of the Etches collection fossil museum and the new Pliosaur skull exhibit.
More info: The Etches Collection – Kimmeridge
Sculpture by the Lakes
Dorset’s best kept secret of Tranquility.
More info: Sculptures by the Lakes website
Monkey World
Set amongst the woodland of Dorset lays 65 acres of sanctuary for over 250 primates. Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide abused Spanish beach chimps with a permanent, stable home. At the park visitors can see over 250 primates of more than 20 different species.
More info: monkeyworld.org
Dorset Vineyards
We are fortunate to have three excellent wine states in the local area, all of which have visitor programmes.
More info:
Kingston Lacy
An opulent family home built to resemble a Venetian Palace. Explore the vast 8,500 acres of estate, featuring Iron Age hill forts, colourful heathland, water meadows and the world’s oldest pedigree herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle.William John Bankes created the house we know today between 1834 and his death in 1855, creating lavishly decorated interiors such as the spectacular Spanish Room. Displaying remarkable paintings by renowned artists like Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel, the house is a miniature ‘national gallery’ for the South West, and includes Bankes’ collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, the largest private collection in the UK.
More info: NT – Kingston Lacy
Walking in the Area
The South West Coast Path is 630 miles long and is the longest established National Trail in the country. Starting at Minehead in Somerset it runs along the coastline of Exmoor, continuing along the coast of North Devon into Cornwall. It follows the entire coastline of Cornwall, goes across the mouth of the River Tamar and continues into Devon. After running along the south coast of Devon it then follows the Dorset coastline before finally ending at Poole Harbour.
More info: South West Coast Path
Dorset
These websites are great for more detailed information about Dorset and the surrounding area.
More info: Dorset National Landscape