Around the countryside
Explore Iron Age forts just a short drive from Norburton Hall. Impressive Eggardon Hill (north of A35 via Askerswell) is the site of an Iron Age settlement over 2,000 years old and has spectacular views to the sea. Other Iron Age sites can be seen at Pilsdon Pen, one of the highest points in Dorset, and Maiden Castle, among the finest known examples of a pre-historic fort.

Visit Althelhampton House and Gardens, a fine 15th century manor house set in superb Grade 1 listed gardens with fountains laid out as a series of ‘outdoor rooms’. On A35, one mile east of Puddletown.

Hardy’s Cottage and Birthplace, Higher Bockhampton, east of Dorchester, and Hardy’s Monument, north of Abbotsbury - click here for Literary Trail.

Lulworth Castle, a hunting lodge built as a mock castle in 1607-10 and set in parkland, with wonderful views. Badly damaged in the Civil War and again by fire in 1929. Cared for by English Heritage, which has restored much of the building. In East Lulworth village, 3 miles north-east of Lulworth Cove.

Kingston Lacy, a Restoration mansion with 250 acres of park and gardens, now in the care of the National Trust and with paintings by Titian and Van Dyck. 1.5 miles north-west of Wimborne.

At Broadwindsor Craft and Design Centre you can visit workshops to see artists at work, crystals and gems imported from all over the world and enjoy an award winning restaurant.

The well known chalk giant at Cerne Abbas is less than a half an hour drive away. Was it an elaborate spoof or is it authentic?
 

Places to visit

On the coast

To the West

To the East

Around the countryside