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Dorset - Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
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Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites, re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
Here we try to list properties in
private ownership but open to the public (even if only
occasionally) as well as those in the care of the
National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage. |
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We know that not all the
properties in Dorset are listed.
Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
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HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE
Heritage Centre, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe,
Dorset, BH23 4LE
Tel: 01425 278807 Fax:
01425 280423
E-mail:
enquiries@highcliffecastle.co.uk
Web:
www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Highcliffe
Castle is a magnificent Grade I listed
building situated just 4 miles east of
Christchurch.
Built in the 1830's by Lord Stuart de
Rothesay, in the romantic picturesque
style, the Castle incorporates beautiful
medieval stone work. The Castle is a stunning venue for an exciting
programme of exhibitions, concerts and outdoor
events and is also available for Civil Ceremonies,
Receptions, Banquets and Events.
The Cliff Top grounds
are open all year round and are free to visitors.
(Note: car parking charges apply). Both grounds
and Castle are fully wheelchair accessible. The
Tea Rooms are open daily except Christmas Day.
Open: 1st Feb - 23rd Dec. Daily 11am - 5pm
last admission 4.30pm except Fri & Sat when last
admission is 4.00pm. Grounds open all year from
7am.
Admission: Adults £2.50, Children under 16
FREE.
Gift Shop: open daily 11am -5pm.
Guided Tours: 2.00pm on Tues & Sun only
£3.50.
Grounds Free: Parking Charges apply.
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Corfe Castle (National
Trust)
The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset, BH21
4EE
Tel: 01929 481294 Fax:
01929 481294
E-mail:
info@corfecastle.org.uk
Web:
www.corfecastle.org.uk
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Thousand-year-old castle, rising above the
Isle of Purbeck.
One of Britain’s most majestic ruins, the
castle controlled the gateway through the
Purbeck Hills and has been an important
stronghold since the time of William the
Conqueror.
Defended during the Civil War by the ardent
and virtuous Lady Bankes, the castle fell to
treachery from within, and was substantially
destroyed afterwards by the Parliamentarians.
Many fine Norman and Early English features
remain. |
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Corfe Castle -
Photo:
Steve Bailey
CCL |
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Hardy Monument
Black Down, Portesham, Dorset
Tel: 01297 561900 Fax:
01297 561901
E-mail:
hardymonument@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Hardy Monument -
Photo:
Darren Allen
CCL |
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Monument to Vice-Admiral Hardy.
The monument was erected in 1844 in memory of
Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy,
Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of
Trafalgar.
It stands on the crest of Black Down, from where
there are glorious views across the Dorset
countryside to the sea. |
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Portland Castle - English
Heritage
Castleton, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1AZ
Tel: 01305 820539 Fax:
01305 860853
E-mail:
customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Web:
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Originally built as a coastal fortresses to
defend Weymouth against possible French and
Spanish invasion. Once you look into the
history of Portland Castle, its truly amazing to
find out that to date, it remains largely
unaltered from its original state.
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Sherborne Castle & Gardens
Sherborne Castle Estates, Cheap Street,
Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PY
Tel: 01935 813182 Fax:
01935 816727
E-mail:
enquiries@sherbornecastle.com
Web:
www.sherbornecastle.com
Built in 1594 by no other than Sir Walter
Raleigh, Sherborne Castle has been home of the
Digby family since 1617. Set in 40 acres of
marvellous 'Capability' Brown landscaped gardens
and grounds around his 50 acre lake, the Castle
contains a impressive collection of art,
furniture and porcelain.
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Shaftesbury Abbey, Museum
and Garden
Park Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JR
Tel/Fax: 01747 852910
E-mail:
user@shaftesburyabbey.fsnet.co.uk
Web:
www.shaftesburyabbey.co.uk
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden is located
upon the site of Saxons England’s foremost
Benedictine nunnery founded by King Alfred in
888AD, and was to act as the catalyst for the
prosperity of the town and surrounding area for
over 650 years.
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Sherborne Abbey
Abbey Close, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3LQ
Tel: 01935 812452 Fax:
01935 812206
E-mail:
ParishSecretary@sherborneabbey.com
Web:
www.sherborneabbey.com
From its origins as a Saxon Cathedral by St.
Aldhelm in AD 705, to the worshipping heart of a
Monastic Community, the Abbey has developed, in
present times to be one of the most beautiful
parish churches in England.
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Christchurch Priory
Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU
Tel: 01202 485804
E-mail:
parishoffice@christchurchpriory.org
Web:
www.christchurchpriory.org
Beautiful historic priory given 5 stars by Simon
Jenkins in 'England's 1000 Best Churches'.
Breathtaking 1094 Norman nave, Pendant vault in
Lady Chapel probably first in England,
Miraculous Beam and 9th Centenary commemorative
window, 'Search & Find' trail for children.
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Max Gate
Alington Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2AA
Tel: 01305 262538 Fax: 01305
250978
E-mail:
maxgate@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Home of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy. Thomas
Hardy designed and lived in this house from
1885 till his death in 1928.
Here he wrote Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Jude
the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge, as
well as much of his poetry.
The house contains several pieces of his
furniture. |
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Max Gate -
Photo:
John Lamper
CCL |
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Hardy's Cottage
Black Down, Portesham, Dorset
Tel: 01297 561900 Fax: 01297
561901
E-mail:
hardymonument@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Hardy's Cottage -
Photo:
Chris Shaw
CCL |
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Birthplace of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy.
Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in this small cob
and thatch cottage and from here he would walk
to school every day in Dorchester, six miles
away.
It was built by his great-grandfather and is
little altered since.
The interior has been furnished by the NT (see
also Max Gate).
His early novels Under the Greenwood Tree and
Far from the Madding Crowd were written here.
It has a charming cottage garden. |
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Kingston Lacy
Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4EA
Tel: 01202 883402 Fax:
01202 882402
E-mail:
kingstonlacy@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Magnificent mansion with important
collections, set in attractive formal gardens
and parkland.
It is famous for its dramatic Spanish Room,
with walls hung in magnificent gilded leather,
and collection of Egyptian artefacts. |
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Kingston Lacy -
Photo:
Richard Slessor
CCL |
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The Kingston Lacy Estate -
Photo:
Paul Whittington
CCL |
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The house and garden are set in a wooded park
with waymarked walks and a fine herd of North
Devon cattle.
The surrounding working estate, with its rich
diversity of flora and fauna, is crossed by many
paths (leaflet available from reception) and
dominated by the Iron Age hill-fort of Badbury
Rings.
The botanically rich Rings are managed by
grazing and dogs are not permitted. |
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Clouds Hill
Wareham, BH20 7NQ
Tel: 01929 405616
E-mail:
cloudshill@nationaltrust.org.uk
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The rural retreat of T. E. Lawrence. T. E.
Lawrence (‘Lawrence of Arabia’) bought this
tiny isolated brick and tile cottage in 1925.
The austere rooms are much as he left them and
reflect his complex personality and close
links with the Middle East.
An exhibition details Lawrence’s extraordinary
life. |
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Clouds Hill -
Photo:
John Nicholson
CCL |
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Mapperton Gardens
Mapperton, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Tel: 01308 862645 Fax:
01308 863348
E-mail:
office@mapperton.com
Web:
www.mapperton.com
Mapperton Gardens is a quixotic valley garden,
surrounded by rolling hills and untouched
countryside. The gardens descend from the
magnificent lawn, through the formal topiary
down to the valley garden. The manor house with
its church, stable block, coach house, dovecote
and courtyard is in essence a part of its
countryside, a glorious harmony of golden
sandstone.
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Athelhampton House
Athelhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LG
Tel: 01305 848363 Fax:
01305 848135
E-mail:
enquiry@athelhampton.co.uk
Web:
www.athelhampton.co.uk
Aside from the tours of the house and gardens,
Athelhampton offers a range of facilities,
including; a gift shop, informal lunches in the
Topiary Restaurant, Sunday Carvery. Athelhampton
is also available to hire for wedding
ceremonies, receptions, formal private dining
and conferences.
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Kingston Maurward Gardens
and Animal Park
Kingston Maurward College, Kingston Maurward,
Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PY
Tel: 01305 215003 Fax:
01305 215001
E-mail:
administration@kmc.ac.uk
Web:
www.kmc.ac.uk
Kingston Maurward House was originally built
around 1720 for George Pitt, a cousin of Prime
Minister Pitt and now forms the grounds of
Kingston Maurward College. The campus
attractions include; a commercial farm, animal
care unit, parkland, with formal gardens and the
Equestrian Centre.
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Minterne Gardens
Minterne Magna, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7AU
Tel: 01300 341370 Fax:
01300 341747
Web:
www.minterne.co.uk
Wander through 20 acres of wild woodland, with
many fine and rare trees, landscaped in the 18th
century with lakes, cascades and streams. formed
the setting of Great Hintock House in Thomas
Hardy's 'The Woodlanders'.
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Wolfeton House
Charminster, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9PN
Tel: 01305 263500 Fax:
01305 265090
Opening Times: Jun til Sept - Mon, Wed &
Thur from 2.00pm til 5.00pm
Wolfeton House is a Grade 1 listed early Tudor
and Elizabethan manor house, built by Sir Thomas
Trenchard around 1500, at Charminster on the
River Cerne. Groups by appointment throughout
the year.
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Knoll Gardens and Nursery
Hampreston, Wimborne, BH21 7ND
Tel: 01202 873931 Fax:
01202 870842
Web:
www.knollgardens.co.uk
'Specialist growers of Ornamental Grasses and
Perennials and the U.K. home of Ulmus Princeton
the disease tolerant elm.'
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Stapehill Abbey Crafts &
Gardens
Wimborne Road West, Stapehill, Ferndown, Dorset,
BH21 2EB
Tel: 01202 861686 Fax:
01202 894589
19th Century Stapehill Abbey is surrounded by
many acres of award winning gardens both formal
and informal Other attractions include; a nuns'
chapel, a Victorian parlour. There is also a
museum which depicts the life in rural England
during Victorian times and the history of the
Cistercian order who lived there.
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Compton Acres
Canford Cliffs Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole,
Dorset, BH13 7ES
Tel: 01202 700778 Fax:
01202 707537
E-mail:
SALES@COMPTONACRES.CO.UK
Web:
www.comptonacres.co.uk
Privately owned collection of ten ornamental
gardens, including a Japanese, Roman, English,
Rock, Heather and Palm Court gardens.
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Abbotsbury Sub-tropical
Gardens
Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3
4LA
Tel: 01305 871387 or 871153 Fax:
01305 871092
E-mail:
info@abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
Web:
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
The origin of Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens
can be traced back to 1765 when the first
Countess of Ilchester established a kitchen
garden to her nearby castle. Developed since
then by the plant hunting descendants of the
Countess, into a outstanding 20 acre garden
filled with rare and exotic plants from all over
the world.
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Cranborne Manor Gardens
Cranborne, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5PP
Tel: 01725 517248 Fax:
01725 517862
E-mail:
enquiries@cranborne.co.uk
Web:
www.cranborne.co.uk
The Manor Garden is open every Wednesday from
March to October. however the garden centre is
open seven days a week all year around.
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