Wimborne

Wimborne - (10 miles) An old traditional market town with the Wimborne Minster as its centrepiece. Market days (antiques and bric-a-brac) Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Special places of interest the Walford Mill Craft Centre, the Museum of East Dorset and the 1:10th scale Model Town, depicting the streets of Wimborne as it would have been in the 1950’s, plus the wonderfully restored Art Deco Tivoli Theatre, for films and live stage shows.

On the outskirts of town is the National Trust owned Kingston Lacy House and grounds, plus the iconic Beech Tree Avenue planted in 1835 by William Bankes along both sides of the Wimborne to Blandford road, which is well worth a visit and a photo.

Also nearby are the Iron-Age fortifications for the ancient hill fort at Badbury Rings, with sweeping views and good walking trails.

Wimborne Minster, a charming market town in East Dorset, England, serves as a gateway to the lush expanses of Cranborne Chase. This historic town, with its roots winding back to the pre-Roman era, exudes an air of timeless English charm. At its heart stands the impressive Wimborne Minster, a church famed for its chained library—one of only four remaining in the world—and its remarkable twin towers that guide visitors towards its ancient doors. Beyond its rich history, the town brims with cozy tearooms, independent boutiques offering a taste of local crafts and produce. The River Stour weaves through the town, providing picturesque pathways for leisurely walks, where the sounds of flowing water complement the tranquil atmosphere.

Cranborne Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that borders Wimborne to the west, sprawls over 380 square miles of countryside stretching across Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. This ancient and royal hunting ground is steeped in natural and man-made history, with its rolling chalk grasslands, dense woodlands, and clear chalk streams punctuated by Iron Age hillforts and Neolithic barrows. Visitors are drawn to its idyllic landscape for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, horseback riding, and cycling, taking in views that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. The Chase's biodiversity is remarkable, hosting a mosaic of habitats that support a wide array of wildlife, including rare butterflies and birds, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and a vital conservation area.