Simon L
27 April 2018
Blessed with stunning landscapes, the North of Dorset is an idyllic and tranquil destination to spend your next holiday in the county. Set in the rolling rural countryside, there are great opportunities to soak up the fresh country air and discover the great outdoors as well as plenty of things for the whole family to enjoy. We’ve picked out a few of our favourite things to do in North Dorset to inspire your next visit to the region.
If you’re a fan of exploring the outdoors and keeping active, North Dorset has a wealth of gorgeous spots to discover. With a large part falling into an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty there are plenty of places to enjoy walks and cycling. The North Dorset Trailway is great for a peaceful horse ride, cycle, or gentle stroll or spend a day exploring the River Stour Valley where you can meander along the Stour Valley Way, a footpath that follows the spectacular Stour River at various points. Pair this with a visit to one or two of the many of picturesque towns and villages for a break and a bite to eat in a great local pub.
The region is brimming with historic sites so if you’re a bit of a fan of delving into the past, Sherborne is the perfect place to start. With two castles, an Abbey and lots of medieval buildings to admire, this delightful town also has plenty of National Trust homes and gardens to discover. For impromptu rainy days, the town of Blandford Forum is home to some interesting museums such as the Blandford Forum Town Museum and The Royal Signals Museum or stroll around the town which is full of beautiful Georgian architecture.
To keep the kids entertained, you’ll find plenty of fun attractions in the area, great for all ages. Crazy Monsters is North Dorset’s largest indoor soft play area and is a great place to let the kids burn off some energy with its adventure play zone and toddler zone that is perfect for under 4’s. Make sure to keep an eye out for events and shows in North Dorset such as the popular Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show and Sturminster Newton Carnival.
A popular spot to visit is the breath-taking town of Shaftesbury which is one of the highest and oldest towns in Britain. Rich in history and oozing charm, Shaftesbury’s Gold Hill is a scenic location that was once used in a famous Hovis bread advertisement and offers breath-taking views over the Blackmoor Vale. Not one to miss during your visit, there’s also wonderful old churches, houses and gardens to visit, and many great walks and cycling trails. Make sure you stop off in one of the pretty tea shops and chat to some of the friendly locals, or grab a locally brewed ale in one of the traditional pubs.
With plenty of things to do in North Dorset, you can create a memorable holiday experience when you choose to stay at one of our fantastic cottages in the area.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.