Haye Cottage Guidebook
Beaches
Recently voted the 2nd best beach in Britain. Dinghies, paddle boards and so on can be hired on Knoll Beach. For extra fun, take the chain ferry between Sandbanks and Shell Bay to get there. The Pig on the Beach and Bankes Arms provide sustaining fare and refreshing drinks after a hard day's sunbathing and building sand castles. Alternatively, if you are taking the chain ferry, Shell Bay Restaurant serves delicious food and is en route.
72 moradores locais recomendam
Studland Bay
Recently voted the 2nd best beach in Britain. Dinghies, paddle boards and so on can be hired on Knoll Beach. For extra fun, take the chain ferry between Sandbanks and Shell Bay to get there. The Pig on the Beach and Bankes Arms provide sustaining fare and refreshing drinks after a hard day's sunbathing and building sand castles. Alternatively, if you are taking the chain ferry, Shell Bay Restaurant serves delicious food and is en route.
For the more adventurous, this rock (not shingle) beach has a swimming pool cut out of the rock and fabulous forests of seaweeds to explore in crystal clear water. There are some places you can high dive from as well, but make absolutely sure you are not going to hit any submerged rocks before attempting this. Also, for those who like deep water swimming, the tide can be pretty fierce once you get 50m or so from the shore, so be careful. The Square & Compass in Worth Matravers will resuscitate you with homemade cider and pasties after a tough day's snorkelling and rock pooling.
43 moradores locais recomendam
Dancing Ledge
South West Coast PathFor the more adventurous, this rock (not shingle) beach has a swimming pool cut out of the rock and fabulous forests of seaweeds to explore in crystal clear water. There are some places you can high dive from as well, but make absolutely sure you are not going to hit any submerged rocks before attempting this. Also, for those who like deep water swimming, the tide can be pretty fierce once you get 50m or so from the shore, so be careful. The Square & Compass in Worth Matravers will resuscitate you with homemade cider and pasties after a tough day's snorkelling and rock pooling.
If proximity is your main criteria, there are many beaches in and around Poole Harbour, but Lake Beach is our favourite - sandy and shallow with a fishing pier, cheap parking and only 45 minutes away.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Lake Pier
99 Lake DrIf proximity is your main criteria, there are many beaches in and around Poole Harbour, but Lake Beach is our favourite - sandy and shallow with a fishing pier, cheap parking and only 45 minutes away.
A picturesque bay with village to match, shingle beach and the famous Durdle Door a mile or so's walk away.
383 moradores locais recomendam
Enseada de Lulworth
A picturesque bay with village to match, shingle beach and the famous Durdle Door a mile or so's walk away.
One of the best fossil beaches on the Jurassic Coast. The Anchor Inn will refortify the vigorous after they have climbed to the top of nearby Golden Cap to take in the stunning views of the South Coast.
Seatown Beach
Sea Hill LaneOne of the best fossil beaches on the Jurassic Coast. The Anchor Inn will refortify the vigorous after they have climbed to the top of nearby Golden Cap to take in the stunning views of the South Coast.
OK this isn't a beach, but all locals know that mill ponds are better than any swimming pool. Combine a refreshing dip with a look at the lifestyle of the Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset 600 years ago.
Fiddleford Manor
Calf Close LaneOK this isn't a beach, but all locals know that mill ponds are better than any swimming pool. Combine a refreshing dip with a look at the lifestyle of the Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset 600 years ago.
Historical
The navel of England needs no introduction. If you are visiting over the summer solstice make sure you join the druids to help them see in the second half of the year - the king is dead, long live the king!
677 moradores locais recomendam
Stonehenge
The navel of England needs no introduction. If you are visiting over the summer solstice make sure you join the druids to help them see in the second half of the year - the king is dead, long live the king!
The tallest church spire in the U.K. and the cathedral doesn't even have foundations - they knew how to build in those days! A wealth of history permeates this leading example of Early English Gothic Architecture.
302 moradores locais recomendam
Catedral de Salisbury
The tallest church spire in the U.K. and the cathedral doesn't even have foundations - they knew how to build in those days! A wealth of history permeates this leading example of Early English Gothic Architecture.
Salisbury's original location. The Doomsday Book was presented to William the Conqueror here in 1086, and that same year he ordered all the nobles and knights of England to gather here to pay him homage and swear loyalty under the Oath of Salisbury.
59 moradores locais recomendam
Old Sarum
Castle RdSalisbury's original location. The Doomsday Book was presented to William the Conqueror here in 1086, and that same year he ordered all the nobles and knights of England to gather here to pay him homage and swear loyalty under the Oath of Salisbury.
Is this the mythical Isle of Avalon where Joseph of Arimathea planted his staff and the last resting place of King Arthur? Sample the red waters from Chalice Well, where the Holy Grail is said to be buried, and the completely different taste of the water from White Spring only 100m away.
427 moradores locais recomendam
Tor de Glastonbury
Is this the mythical Isle of Avalon where Joseph of Arimathea planted his staff and the last resting place of King Arthur? Sample the red waters from Chalice Well, where the Holy Grail is said to be buried, and the completely different taste of the water from White Spring only 100m away.
If you are heading to Studland Bay or Dancing Ledge, consider making time for a tour of these snaggle toothed ruins that dominate the only gap in the Purbeck Hills separating Purbeck Island from the mainland. During the Civil War, Lady Mary Bankes famously defended it with a garrison of only 5 people against a force of 500 Parliamentarians.
425 moradores locais recomendam
Castelo de Corfe
If you are heading to Studland Bay or Dancing Ledge, consider making time for a tour of these snaggle toothed ruins that dominate the only gap in the Purbeck Hills separating Purbeck Island from the mainland. During the Civil War, Lady Mary Bankes famously defended it with a garrison of only 5 people against a force of 500 Parliamentarians.
Attractions
Always a favourite with the kids.
319 moradores locais recomendam
Monkey World - Centro de Resgate de Macacos
LongthornsAlways a favourite with the kids.
Do you know your Chieftain from your Tiger? Find out here, one of the largest collections of armoured vehicles in the world.
247 moradores locais recomendam
Museu do Tanque
Linsay RoadDo you know your Chieftain from your Tiger? Find out here, one of the largest collections of armoured vehicles in the world.
There are plenty of National Trust attractions in the area, but this is our favourite. The gardens are stunning, and The Spread Eagle Inn serves a fine plate of food - make sure you book though to avoid disappointment.
276 moradores locais recomendam
Stourhead
There are plenty of National Trust attractions in the area, but this is our favourite. The gardens are stunning, and The Spread Eagle Inn serves a fine plate of food - make sure you book though to avoid disappointment.
Walks
There are only steep paths to the top of this hill fort, which boasts the most impressive earthworks of any in the area.
33 moradores locais recomendam
Hambledon Hill
There are only steep paths to the top of this hill fort, which boasts the most impressive earthworks of any in the area.
Facing off to Hambledon Hill across the valley, Hod Hill is not quite as impressive, but it has a much gentler option to get to the top starting from Stourpaine.
14 moradores locais recomendam
Hod Hill
Facing off to Hambledon Hill across the valley, Hod Hill is not quite as impressive, but it has a much gentler option to get to the top starting from Stourpaine.
A perfect hill fort in miniature with stunning views, and best of all a walk downhill from the car park to get there. Consider lunch or supper at the tranquil, family-run The Ibberton, if you head down this way.
Rawlsbury Camp
A perfect hill fort in miniature with stunning views, and best of all a walk downhill from the car park to get there. Consider lunch or supper at the tranquil, family-run The Ibberton, if you head down this way.
There are plenty of different leafy paths to take through the woods on this limestone outcrop of Cranford Chase. In April and May, the display of bluebells is likely to be the best you will ever see.
13 moradores locais recomendam
Duncliffe wood
There are plenty of different leafy paths to take through the woods on this limestone outcrop of Cranford Chase. In April and May, the display of bluebells is likely to be the best you will ever see.
Eating Out
Loyalty and proximity dictate that this pub is first on the list. The excellent food on offer leads to a great mix of village locals and visitors from further afield.
10 moradores locais recomendam
The White Horse Inn
Shaston RoadLoyalty and proximity dictate that this pub is first on the list. The excellent food on offer leads to a great mix of village locals and visitors from further afield.
When the White Horse is shut, this is our standard fallback. Good solid fare, a large sunny garden and featured in Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" under the name The Pure Drop.
19 moradores locais recomendam
The Crown
Crown RoadWhen the White Horse is shut, this is our standard fallback. Good solid fare, a large sunny garden and featured in Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" under the name The Pure Drop.
If you decide to visit the historical Anglo-Saxon town of Shaftesbury, and fancy something a little more up market, this hotel will do nicely. They might even serve you a cocktail.
38 moradores locais recomendam
The Grosvenor Arms
High StreetIf you decide to visit the historical Anglo-Saxon town of Shaftesbury, and fancy something a little more up market, this hotel will do nicely. They might even serve you a cocktail.
Definitely at the gastro end of the scale with a lovely little stream running straight through the building.
31 moradores locais recomendam
The Fontmell
Definitely at the gastro end of the scale with a lovely little stream running straight through the building.
If you are coming from London, and would like to stop off somewhere for lunch or supper en route, this is probably the pick of a pretty strong field (The Lamb in Hindon, The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe and The Bridge Inn in Upper Woordford all deserve honourable mentions).
99 moradores locais recomendam
The Beckford Arms
If you are coming from London, and would like to stop off somewhere for lunch or supper en route, this is probably the pick of a pretty strong field (The Lamb in Hindon, The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe and The Bridge Inn in Upper Woordford all deserve honourable mentions).