West Purbeck


of primates from Africa, Asia and South America. Now with over 240 primates of 16 different species, Monkey World is the largest ape and monkey rescue centre in the world.


Many of the monkeys and apes have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions, or been used and/or abused in laboratories, exotic pet trades, circuses or the tourist/entertainment industry in different countries around the world. At Monkey World they are brought back to health and can lead full and active lives with others of their own kind. Some are now part of international breeding programmes for endangered species.


Combining fun with conservation and animal education, half-hourly talks explain all about man’s closest living relative. See the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Business’ and the new series ‘Monkey Life’, then ‘monkey around’ in the south’s largest adventure play area. Contact the centre for information about its meeting room facilities and guided tours.


Continue north and you reach the tranquil village of Bere Regis, which sits on gently undulating hills at the boundary between chalk downlands to the north and sandy heathlands to the south.


Clouds Hill


‘The Tank Story’ exhibition is the key element of this project and tells the story of the tank from its World War One origin to the future. New multi-media interpretive material better places the development of the tank in context with global events; hands on exhibits with new audio visual materials and veterans accounts are integrated into the storyline to illustrate the life of tank crews within the narrative of conflict.


New for 2011, is `Battlegroup Afghanistan`- The Armoured Soldiers Story. This exhibition, which is set in a re-created Forward Operating Base, tells the story of the Royal Armoured Corps involvement in the conflict in and around Helmand Province. Told entirely by the troops themselves, through audio visual stations, the exhibition gives a soldiers eye view to the conflict. Visitors will also see the vehicles in use by the British Army today.


In our arena you can get closer to the action; see the awesome tank action displays during school holidays – and experience for yourself the thrill of riding in a tracked vehicle.


The Tank Museum hosts a number of special events thought the year. The most significant of these is Tankfest (weekend of 25th & 26th June), where the past explodes to life in a weekend long demonstration of moving historic armour, living history displays and mock battles. Tankfest is widely regarded as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of military vehicle shows.


Open 10am-5pm daily, the Tank Museum is a great day out for all the family - whatever the weather. For more information on the Museum’s programme of Tank Action Displays and other special events, see www. tankmuseum.org or pick up a leaflet to check dates.


Only a few minutes drive north of Wool, on the Bere Regis road, isMonkey World – Ape Rescue Centre. This internationally-acclaimed ape rescue centre is set within 65 acres of beautiful Dorset woodland. Opened in 1987 to provide abused Spanish beach chimpanzees with a permanent home, the site is now a sanctuary for primates from across the globe.


Monkey World was originally set up by Jim Cronin MBE, who sadly passed away in 2007. Today, his wife, Dr Alison Cronin MBE, continues to work with foreign governments worldwide to stop the illegal smuggling


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The focus of the village is the Church of St. John the Baptist, probably one of the most visited churches in Dorset thanks to its magnificent timber roof c.1475. The protruding beams are carved into twelve figures dressed in medieval costume, probably either monastic figures or meant to represent the twelve Apostles.


The village featured in several novels of Thomas Hardy, most notably, ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’, in which it was portrayed as ‘Kingsbere’ and was also home to the founder of the English House of Commons, Simon de Montfort.


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