Dorset Attractions
Use our Dorset sightseeing and attractions listings to help you make the most of your visit to Dorset, or browse by location using the map of attractions in Dorset.
Weymouth, , Dorset DT3
The remains of Abbotsbury Abbey comprise mainly of the eastern gable and are thought to be the abbot's lodging. St Catherine's Chapel is only a short half a mile journey away.
Bullers Way, , Dorset DT3 4LA
Tel +44 (0)1305 871387
A unique micro climate enables all sorts of exotic plants to flourish in these award winning gardens. Peacocks & pheasants roam around the sunken garden. Adventure playground, nature trail & plant centre.
New Barn Road, , Dorset DT3 4JW
Tel +44 (0)1305 871858
Visitors are able to walk among a colony of free-flying mute swans. Nesting and hatching period is from end-May to end - June, producing around 600 cygnets. Also an audiovisual show, coffee shop, and a shire horse
Athelhampton, , Dorset DT2 7LG
Tel +44 (0)1305 848363
One of the finest 15C manor houses in England surrounded beautiful gardens which feature the famous topiary pyramids. The house was visited often by Thomas Hardy & his wife in the 19C & the novelist also painted a watercolour of the building aged 19.
Whitcombe Road, , Dorset DT8 3NB
Tel +44 (0)1308 863623
This museum illustrates the life of the town from medieval to modern times through a variety of artefacts & displays. Housed within the old congregational chapel, there are many aspects of the museum that relate to the town's architecture.
Putton Lane, , Dorset DT3 4AF
Tel +44 (0)1305 785150
A collection of water lillies, and other plants as well as wildlife in 6 acres of ponds. Cacti collection in the tropical house. See the replica 'Monet' bridge, as in his painting of Givern Gardens, & the museum of Chickerell's brickworks.
Bere's Yard, Market Place, , Dorset DT11 7HQ
Tel +44 (0)1258 450388
A museum that houses a collection relating to the life, culture & industry of Blandford. The story starts from prehistoric times. There is a particularly interesting display on the Great Fire 1731 & how the town rebuilt itself.
Jet Heritage, Hangar 600, , Dorset BH23 6SE
Tel +44 (0)1202 580858
An aircraft museum with a difference. Ex-military vintage aircraft (e.g. Hunters & vampires) are restored & regularly flown here. Coupled with numerous static exhibitions, this makes an interesting day out.
Hope Square, , Dorset DT4 8TR
Tel +44 (0)1305 777622
Journey through Weymouth over the past 600 years, walking through a Spanish Galleon, a Georgian Ballroom, and a smugglers den. Also a craft centre, shops, catering, and a calender of events.
South Street, , Dorset DT6 3NR
Tel +44 (0)1308 422116
This museum is dedicated to local history. Displays include social history, fine art, costume, agriculture & natural history. The museum includes a detailed reference section including census returns & births & marriages (1890-1945).
Poole Harbour, , Dorset BH15 1EE
Tel +44 (0)1202 707744
A 500-acre island with great views of the Dorset coast. The island is covered with heath land & woodland, & there is a 200-acre nature reserve run by the Dorset Trust for Nature Conservation.
Lime Tree House, The Plocks, , Dorset DT11 7AA
Tel +44 (0)1258 453006
This museum houses a collection that has been acquired over the years by Mrs Betty Penny MBE. View the costumes that span 250 years of history, dating back to 1730, in a relaxed & friendly atmosphere.
Quay Rd, , Dorset BH23 1BU
Tel +44 (0)1202 485804
A medieval monastic church exhibiting both Norman & Tudor architecture. Features of this church include 2 carved stone screens, 4 chantries & the famous ' Miraculous Beam'. There is a museum above the chapel that used to be a school.
Dorset, , Dorset BH20 7NQ
Tel +44 (0)1929 405616
Exhibition detailing Lawrence's extraordinary life. The cottage reflects Lawrence's complex personality and close connections with the Middle East.
Canford Cliffs, , Dorset BH13 7ES
Tel +44 (0)1202 700778
Various world gardens overlook Poole Harbour plus a fabulous collection of bronze and marble statuary.
, Dorset BH20 5EZ
Tel +44 (0)1929 481294
These ruins are all that remain of a 1,000 year old castle. destroyed by Parlimentarians in the civil war. Visitors learn how Lady Banks defended the castle. Children can try on clothing and handle artefacts from this National Trust owned castle.
The Square, Corfe Castle, , Dorset BH20 5EZ
Tel +44 (0)1929 481234
Scale model of the Castle before Cromwell destroyed it. Landscaped garden with rare & beautiful plants.
The Town Hall, West Street, , Dorset BH20 5HE
This museum houses exhibitions on local history & dinosaur footprints. There are approximately 450 items on display here, in the smallest Town Hall in England.
9 Custom House Quay, Old Harbour, , Dorset DT4 8BG
Tel +44 (0)1305 760690
This exhibition relates to underwater exploration. The history of Weymouth's old harbour is displayed here, including interesting tales of shipwreck survival. Th experience is completed with the unique Titanic exhibition.
High St West, , Dorset DT1 1XA
Tel +44 (0)1305 262735
FeaturesThomas Hardys' study reconstructed & exhibits of other Dorset writers. Tells Dorsets history, including geology & wildlife, among rooms depicting different eras-a Victorian hall, Roman mosiacs & a modern gallery.
