Places to visit / Things to do around Dorset? help

[ROB_GTR]

My OH is planning a trip to the south of England in the next week or two for a long weekend break.

We are going to go to Monkey world as far as i know, but are there any other places of interest, places you would recommend visiting within reasonable driving distance?

We could stay somewhere else one night if there is somewhere to go / visit etc around the south

Over to you............

[saleen836]

Bovington Tank museum is about 3-4mins drive from Monkey World, also within 5-10mins drive of there you also have Lulworth Cove..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lulworth_Cove

[Johnnytheboy]

Car stuff - Beaulieu and Haynes (Sparkford) are not far from Dorset.

[Bing o]

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove aren't too far away

[ROB_GTR]

Thanks for the suggestions..... will look into them

Any more to consider?

[Johnnytheboy]

Really depends what you're in to!

[The_Burg]

saleen836 said:

Bovington Tank museum is about 3-4mins drive from Monkey World, also within 5-10mins drive of there you also have Lulworth Cove..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lulworth_Cove

Both well worth visiting, take the road to Corfe castle back from Lulworth, through the army ranges as long as it's open. There is a deserted village too. Spectacular scenery.

[Johnnytheboy]

The_Burg said:

There is a deserted village too.

Not always accessible, mind.

Abbotsbury also good for swannery and sub-tropical gardens if either of those are your thing.

Some of the roads are good driving, but you need to get away from the coast or east-west routes, and you will always get stuck behind a pensioner in a Pacific Rim stbox, wherever, whenever you drive.

Try northern bits of A356 or A354 for starters...

[smileykylie]

Nudist beach at Studland

[jackal]

Bing o said:

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove aren't too far away

+1

Lulworth cove is a must if you appreciate scenery.

A proper cream tea with durdle dor clotted cream is also a must if you like your food !

Swanage on the right, Lyme on the left. Im more of a fan of Lyme personally. It's quainter, more interesting and has the famous cob where Meryl Streep stood.

How about chesil beach ? quite an amazing stretch and a perfect example of longshore drift.. Ive never walked it but always wanted to.

[Crafty_]

The_Burg said:

Both well worth visiting, take the road to Corfe castle back from Lulworth, through the army ranges as long as it's open. There is a deserted village too. Spectacular scenery.

Do you mean Tyneham ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyneham

[Boosted LS1]

^ Yes he does. It's very peaceful there and you can sometimes take a look around. The view from the range road across the Poole basin is one of my favourite views, quite spectacular.

[SeeFive]

Much sense spoken above.

Corfe village and the Castle is nice with the steam railway running alongside.

Also, the B3157 between Weymouth and Bridport offers some nice views, especially towards sunset or a bright moon lighting the sea and the lagoon behind Chesil Bank. That is the road that the Swannery is on, so you could combine both.

If you or your OH are into the classics, you are in Hardy country. Although his ashes are at Poets Corner in Westminster, his heart is buried in Stinsford, and the Dorset people make much out of his history.

Don't forget Poole, the harbour islands and the Quay for an evening meal. They have many motoring related events on Poole Quay at weekends, so depending when you go, a meal and a gawp at some motors/motorcycles is possible too. Check the Poole Quay Events on the web http://www.poolequay.com/attractions.html#events . There are also some very nice beaches between Poole and Bournemouth.

And of course those of us of a certain age will remember this advert. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mq59ykPnAE - Shaftesbury Dorset, and most people think it is oop narth from the advert.

Try to take some extra time down there if you can, it is a lovely county.

[Crafty_]

If you're into bikes and will be travelling down the M3/M27 you might want to stop off here: http://www.sammymiller.co.uk/

[ROB_GTR]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Going this Saturday so will see where we end up