Excursions from Corfe Castle

Denise
Excursions from Corfe Castle

Sightseeing

Beautiful old Tudor Manor House between Corfe Castle and Dorchester with wonderful walled gardens and restaurant attached.
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I-Athelhampton House and Gardens
Athelhampton Road
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Beautiful old Tudor Manor House between Corfe Castle and Dorchester with wonderful walled gardens and restaurant attached.
The quaint birthplace of the novelist Thomas Hardy - is preserved unchanged in the hamlet of Higher Bockhampton, near Dorchester
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Hardys Cottage
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The quaint birthplace of the novelist Thomas Hardy - is preserved unchanged in the hamlet of Higher Bockhampton, near Dorchester
The cottage of Lawrence of Arabia - preserved just as Lawrence left it offers a unique insight into his character. He is buried in the local cemetery nearby.
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Clouds Hill
King George V Road
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The cottage of Lawrence of Arabia - preserved just as Lawrence left it offers a unique insight into his character. He is buried in the local cemetery nearby.
The village of Moreton lies a short stroll across the meadows from Cloud's Hill - where Lawrence of Arabia lived the final years of his life. Lawrence is buried in Moreton (not in the churchyard but in the cemetary across the road). The church is interesting in it's own right for the beautiful and unique windows. The original stained glass, having been destroyed in World War Two - the panes were replaced with etched glass, rather than stained glass, designs. The village is also home to some pleasant walled gardens (which at the time of writing are free to visit) - which house the Dovecote Tea Rooms.
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Moreton Walled Garden
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The village of Moreton lies a short stroll across the meadows from Cloud's Hill - where Lawrence of Arabia lived the final years of his life. Lawrence is buried in Moreton (not in the churchyard but in the cemetary across the road). The church is interesting in it's own right for the beautiful and unique windows. The original stained glass, having been destroyed in World War Two - the panes were replaced with etched glass, rather than stained glass, designs. The village is also home to some pleasant walled gardens (which at the time of writing are free to visit) - which house the Dovecote Tea Rooms.
An interesting way to while away a couple hours.
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Dorset County Museum
High West Street
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An interesting way to while away a couple hours.
Dorchester offers the Curiosity Centre (for those who enjoy browsing antiques, curios and bric a brac). The Curiosity Centre has a tea room.
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Dorchester Curiosity Centre
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Dorchester offers the Curiosity Centre (for those who enjoy browsing antiques, curios and bric a brac). The Curiosity Centre has a tea room.
The manor house built by the Banks family, after Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarians blew up Corfe Castle in 1649.
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Kingston Lacy
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The manor house built by the Banks family, after Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarians blew up Corfe Castle in 1649.
The pretty village of Cerne Abbas is famous for the hillside chalk carving of the "Cerne Abbas Giant"
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Cerne Abbas Giant
24 Long St
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The pretty village of Cerne Abbas is famous for the hillside chalk carving of the "Cerne Abbas Giant"
One amazing feature on the Jurassic Coastline is the Golden Cap. This striking, gold-coloured cliff is the highest point on the south coast of England. Despite being about twice the height of the White Cliffs of Dover, very few people have heard of it, which means you have a pretty good chance of having the Golden Cap’s stunning coastal views all to yourself.
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Golden Cap
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One amazing feature on the Jurassic Coastline is the Golden Cap. This striking, gold-coloured cliff is the highest point on the south coast of England. Despite being about twice the height of the White Cliffs of Dover, very few people have heard of it, which means you have a pretty good chance of having the Golden Cap’s stunning coastal views all to yourself.
The pretty village of Abbotsbuty is home to an ancient Abbey, some subtropical gardens and England's largest colony of mute swans. Visit in Spring to see the newly hatched cygnets. Abbotsbury also has a couple of good places to eat.
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Abbotsbury Swannery
New Barn Road
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The pretty village of Abbotsbuty is home to an ancient Abbey, some subtropical gardens and England's largest colony of mute swans. Visit in Spring to see the newly hatched cygnets. Abbotsbury also has a couple of good places to eat.
Lyme Regis is a pretty harbour town and popular palaeontology spot for fossil-hunters.
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The Cobb
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Lyme Regis is a pretty harbour town and popular palaeontology spot for fossil-hunters.
The Smith's Arms at Godmanstone dates dates to 1420 and was originally a smithy. It is cited in the Guiness Book of records as the "smallest pub in England". Legend has it that the licence was granted by Charles II who asked for refreshment when he stopped to have his horse shod. When the smith replied that he had no licence, the King granted him one by Royal Charter. The original bar is 11ft 9ins by 15 feet. The ceiling is low and sloping, being only 6ft 2ins at the highest point - so don't all visit at once!
Smiths Arms station
The Smith's Arms at Godmanstone dates dates to 1420 and was originally a smithy. It is cited in the Guiness Book of records as the "smallest pub in England". Legend has it that the licence was granted by Charles II who asked for refreshment when he stopped to have his horse shod. When the smith replied that he had no licence, the King granted him one by Royal Charter. The original bar is 11ft 9ins by 15 feet. The ceiling is low and sloping, being only 6ft 2ins at the highest point - so don't all visit at once!
Visit rescued apes and monkeys made famous by the long running TV show "Monkey Business".
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Monkey World - I-Centre ye-Ape Rescue
Longthorns
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Visit rescued apes and monkeys made famous by the long running TV show "Monkey Business".
This perfect horseshoe-shaped cove a short distance from Corfe - is popular with summer visitors.
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Lulworth Cove
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This perfect horseshoe-shaped cove a short distance from Corfe - is popular with summer visitors.
The iconic arch at Durdle Door is a "must see" for many visitors.
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Durdle Door
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The iconic arch at Durdle Door is a "must see" for many visitors.
The ghost village of Tyneham with its perfectly preserved 1930s school room is visitable on days when the tank ranges are not firing!
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Tyneham Village
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The ghost village of Tyneham with its perfectly preserved 1930s school room is visitable on days when the tank ranges are not firing!
Beautiful stretches of the South West Coast Path with views across to Portland Bill.
Flower's Barrow
South West Coast Path
Beautiful stretches of the South West Coast Path with views across to Portland Bill.
The lovely walk along Nine Barrow Down from Corfe Castle, culminates in the iconic Old Harry rocks - named after the local pirate Harry Paye.
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Old Harry Rocks
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The lovely walk along Nine Barrow Down from Corfe Castle, culminates in the iconic Old Harry rocks - named after the local pirate Harry Paye.
The historic house (now an Agricultural College) is off-limits - but visitors can walk around the lovely gardens and lake and visit the farm animals in the "children's farm". There is also a cafe on site.
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Kingston Maurward
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The historic house (now an Agricultural College) is off-limits - but visitors can walk around the lovely gardens and lake and visit the farm animals in the "children's farm". There is also a cafe on site.
Pretty Georgian village of immaculate thatched cottages, which hosts a Georgian street fair in summer.
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Milton Abbas
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Pretty Georgian village of immaculate thatched cottages, which hosts a Georgian street fair in summer.
Great way to while away a rainy afternoon - the private home of Victorian travellers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Lady Annie houses overlooks Bournemouth Beach and remains almost untouched - housing a fascinating and extensive collection of art and artefacts from their travels. It was one of the last Victorian manor houses ever built in Bournemouth. There is a cafe.
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Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
West Cliff Promenade
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Great way to while away a rainy afternoon - the private home of Victorian travellers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Lady Annie houses overlooks Bournemouth Beach and remains almost untouched - housing a fascinating and extensive collection of art and artefacts from their travels. It was one of the last Victorian manor houses ever built in Bournemouth. There is a cafe.
Great for families and nature lovers - Bournmouth's Oceanarium with its walk through shark tunnels and interactive Manta Ray pools - does not disappoint.
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Oceanarium
Pier Approach
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Great for families and nature lovers - Bournmouth's Oceanarium with its walk through shark tunnels and interactive Manta Ray pools - does not disappoint.
Outdoor art set in 26 acres of beautiful Dorset countryside. The location has a restaurant.
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Sculpture by the Lakes
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Outdoor art set in 26 acres of beautiful Dorset countryside. The location has a restaurant.
Thomas Hardy enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the house on the outskirts of Dorchester, that he built he built after he had become a successful novelist. It is well worth taking the guided tour at Max Gate as the story of Hardy and his various wives and scandals, would make a good novel in itself!
National Trust - Max Gate
Thomas Hardy enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the house on the outskirts of Dorchester, that he built he built after he had become a successful novelist. It is well worth taking the guided tour at Max Gate as the story of Hardy and his various wives and scandals, would make a good novel in itself!
The pretty market town of Wimborne Minster can be combined with a trip to Kingston Lacy House. The Minster itself has an interesting chained library.
Wimborne Minster, Church of St Cuthburga
The pretty market town of Wimborne Minster can be combined with a trip to Kingston Lacy House. The Minster itself has an interesting chained library.
Unspoilt island in Poole Harbour - with its own castle. Notable wild peacocks, one of the few remaining colonies of red squirrels and being the birthplace of the Boy Scout movement.
Brownsea Island
Unspoilt island in Poole Harbour - with its own castle. Notable wild peacocks, one of the few remaining colonies of red squirrels and being the birthplace of the Boy Scout movement.
For those with children of the right age - there is now a water adventure park just outside Corfe - although I can't say that I have actually tried it!
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Dorset Adventure Park
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For those with children of the right age - there is now a water adventure park just outside Corfe - although I can't say that I have actually tried it!
Ab Forgeworks offers a Blacksmith Experience at the Boilerhouse Galley just behind the old steam railway station
Boilerhouse Gallery
Sandy Hill Lane
Ab Forgeworks offers a Blacksmith Experience at the Boilerhouse Galley just behind the old steam railway station
Hop on the steam train from Corfe to Swanage!
Swanage Railway - Corfe castle
Hop on the steam train from Corfe to Swanage!
Take in Old Harry Rocks from the sea - Jurassic Coast cruises depart from both Poole and Swanage in the Summer. The bird watching cruises with commentary by the Durlston Park Rangers are particularly popular in summer and an offer a lovely chance to see our local Puffin colony, and other inhabitants.
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City Cruises Poole
The Quay
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Take in Old Harry Rocks from the sea - Jurassic Coast cruises depart from both Poole and Swanage in the Summer. The bird watching cruises with commentary by the Durlston Park Rangers are particularly popular in summer and an offer a lovely chance to see our local Puffin colony, and other inhabitants.
Best place to appreciate the prehistoric life that once ranged Dorset's Jurassic Coastline, as preserved in the fossil record. Recent displays include a recently discovered "sea monster" which featured in an Attenborough documentary. You can recover from all the excitement at the excellent Clavell's cafe and restaurant, just opposite - or stroll through the village to picturesque Kimmeridge Bay and discover some fossils of your own among the rock pools.
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The Etches Collection, Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
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Best place to appreciate the prehistoric life that once ranged Dorset's Jurassic Coastline, as preserved in the fossil record. Recent displays include a recently discovered "sea monster" which featured in an Attenborough documentary. You can recover from all the excitement at the excellent Clavell's cafe and restaurant, just opposite - or stroll through the village to picturesque Kimmeridge Bay and discover some fossils of your own among the rock pools.
Wonderful sanctuary for all types of rescued great apes, monkeys and lemurs, made famous by the long-running TV show - 'Monkey Business'. Great family day out. There is a restaurant on site.
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Monkey World - I-Centre ye-Ape Rescue
Longthorns
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Wonderful sanctuary for all types of rescued great apes, monkeys and lemurs, made famous by the long-running TV show - 'Monkey Business'. Great family day out. There is a restaurant on site.
Informative and fascinating, award-winning museum. For a family day out with some real "bang" check their online timetable for "firepower" demo days!
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I-Tank Museum
Linsay Road
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Informative and fascinating, award-winning museum. For a family day out with some real "bang" check their online timetable for "firepower" demo days!
This lovely, hidden away, walled garden was recently rediscovered and is the process of restoration. An interesting place for gardeners and nature lovers.
Careys Secret Garden
This lovely, hidden away, walled garden was recently rediscovered and is the process of restoration. An interesting place for gardeners and nature lovers.
This picturesque beauty spot with its quaint tea room, is now also home to Britain's longest rope bridge (50 metres long and 10 metres high) enabling visitors to appreciate the blue waters from the treetops. Those of nervous disposition can still enjoy the classic trail through the trees instead!
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I-Blue Pool
Furzebrook Road
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This picturesque beauty spot with its quaint tea room, is now also home to Britain's longest rope bridge (50 metres long and 10 metres high) enabling visitors to appreciate the blue waters from the treetops. Those of nervous disposition can still enjoy the classic trail through the trees instead!
The beautiful golden beaches of Studland run all the way from the ferry point at the tip of Shell Bay through Knowle Beach and Middle Beach, onwards towards Old Harry Rocks. There are Beach Cafes at Knowle Beach and just behind Middle Beach.
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Shell Bay
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The beautiful golden beaches of Studland run all the way from the ferry point at the tip of Shell Bay through Knowle Beach and Middle Beach, onwards towards Old Harry Rocks. There are Beach Cafes at Knowle Beach and just behind Middle Beach.
Beautiful area, with stunning views of the unspoilt backwaters of Poole harbour where it is not unusual to see deer swimming to the island or the occasional harbour seal. Of course, it is also a great place for bird life - and is a frequent location for BBC's 'Spring Watch'.
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RSPB Arne
Arne Road
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Beautiful area, with stunning views of the unspoilt backwaters of Poole harbour where it is not unusual to see deer swimming to the island or the occasional harbour seal. Of course, it is also a great place for bird life - and is a frequent location for BBC's 'Spring Watch'.

Food scene

Good pub food - close to Dorchester. Popular with locals, so book ahead!
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The Sun Inn
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Good pub food - close to Dorchester. Popular with locals, so book ahead!
Centuries ago, the Smuggler’s Inn at Osmington Mills was a hangout for some of Dorset’s most notorious smuggling gangs. Smugglers with names like French Peter drank at the pub, and the leader of the infamous Charles gang owned the inn for a time. These days, it’s a cosy pub with a restaurant. and gorgeous views of the dramatic cliffs.
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Smugglers Inn
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Centuries ago, the Smuggler’s Inn at Osmington Mills was a hangout for some of Dorset’s most notorious smuggling gangs. Smugglers with names like French Peter drank at the pub, and the leader of the infamous Charles gang owned the inn for a time. These days, it’s a cosy pub with a restaurant. and gorgeous views of the dramatic cliffs.
Standard pub fare on the road to Dorchester.
The Red Lion Hotel
A352
Standard pub fare on the road to Dorchester.
Good food at the Fox - situated at Ansty - a stone's throw from Bulbarrow Hill, the highest hill in Dorset - from where you can see 5 counties.
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The Fox Inn
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Good food at the Fox - situated at Ansty - a stone's throw from Bulbarrow Hill, the highest hill in Dorset - from where you can see 5 counties.
Atmospheric pub in Plush, with excellent culinary reputation.
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The Brace of Pheasants
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Atmospheric pub in Plush, with excellent culinary reputation.
If in Bournemouth - West Beach, located right on the beach beside Bournemouth Pier is a great option at the upper end of the dining spectrum. Recently named Bournemouth’s only ‘local gem’ in the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2016 and 2019, the view and the food has an unrivalled reputation.
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WestBeach
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If in Bournemouth - West Beach, located right on the beach beside Bournemouth Pier is a great option at the upper end of the dining spectrum. Recently named Bournemouth’s only ‘local gem’ in the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2016 and 2019, the view and the food has an unrivalled reputation.
Walks, wine and food.
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Langham Wine Estate and Vineyard Café
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Walks, wine and food.
Lovely walks along the cliff paths, excellent location to try and spot dolphins. There is a education centre, a small lighthouse, and a faux Victorian castle which houses a nice eatery called Seventh Wave, with outdoor views over Swanage Bay.
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I-Durlston Country Park ne-National Nature Reserve
Lighthouse Road
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Lovely walks along the cliff paths, excellent location to try and spot dolphins. There is a education centre, a small lighthouse, and a faux Victorian castle which houses a nice eatery called Seventh Wave, with outdoor views over Swanage Bay.
Excellent food in a beautiful location in a hidden valley just off the road Dorchester. Wine list is a cut above standard pub offerings.
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Sailor's Return
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Excellent food in a beautiful location in a hidden valley just off the road Dorchester. Wine list is a cut above standard pub offerings.