the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural show held at nearby Motcombe. Nearby is the National Trust House and Gardens at Stourhead. Anglers are catered for at Lodden lakes and over several miles of river bank around the town.
Next is historic Shaftesbury with its famous Abbey and Museum featuring the town’s unique heritage with artefacts which include a wooden fire engine dating to 1744. Next to the Town Hall is St Peter’s church where there are some interesting medieval features including carved angels, and in the north aisle the floor has been cut away to reveal the foundation of a Saxon pier. Near the church is Gold Hill with pretty thatched cottages in the foreground and the Blackmore Vale in the distance. There is a museum here with artefacts of the Hovis advert which made Gold Hill famous. Shaftesbury holds two annual events, the Gold Hill Fair in July and the Shaftesbury Carnival in October.
A short stroll from the High Street is Castle Hill with wonderful views north towards Somerset and Wiltshire. There are numerous historic buildings within the old core of Shaftesbury. One of these, Ox House, was used by Thomas Hardy as Old Grove Place in his novel Jude the Obscure. A few miles away are the historic Old Wardour Castle, Kingsette, Duncliffe and Brookland woods, also Bush Farm that breeds oxen and is open to the pubic & the Farmer Giles attraction with an accent on fun for the kids.
Just two miles from the town is the fancifully named ZigZag Hill, which provides excellent views across Cranborne Chase, and has been officially recognised by the AA as the stretch of road with the most bends in the Britain. Beyond this to the south east of Shaftesbury is the village of Ashmore with views of the Chase and beyond to the New Forest and the Isle of Wight. Along the A350 there are a series of very pretty villages like, Compton Abbas with the famous airfield. The villages of Fontnell Myner, Iwerne Minster and Iwerne Courtney lie on the spring line at the base of the downs forming the western edge of the Chase.
Iwerne Minster, part of which comprises an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, takes its name from the River Iwerne. In the village the Church of St. Mary’s has been included in “England’s thousand best churches”. There are many other attractions one can enjoy while in this centrally located village such as Knighton House, and the Larmer Tree Gardens. The open countryside is a walker’s delight, as it was for Thomas Hardy. This is Hardy Country as fictionalised in ‘Tess of the D’urbervilles’.
Going more to the east Cranborne and Cranborne Chase are worth visiting. Cranborne Village lies at the centre of the Cranborne Estate.
A warm welcome awaits you at THE SHEAF OF ARROWS in Cranborne is a family run pub in this picturesque village, aside from a fine selection of ales and wines, we also offer good hearty food and a warm atmosphere in which to enjoy them. Our outside seating area provides an excellent spot to enjoy the sun and a refreshing drink in the summertime, offering bed and breakfast accommodation all year round.
Adjacent to the village is Cranborne Manor set in beautiful gardens which are open once a week in the holiday season. Nearby Edmondsham is home to Edmondsham House and Gardens which are also worth seeing.
Going south toward the New Forest Verwood has been famous for its fairs and carnivals from ancient times; this is no less true today with entertainment for all age groups and interests. The panoramic view from Stephen’s Castle, reveals the buildings on the cliffs at Bournemouth and much more. From Verwood it is a short drive to the New Forest, the resorts on the coast, the many idyllic villages in east Dorset, or what south Hampshire has to offer.
Our penultimate town is the charming historic market town
A warm welcome awaits you at
Sturminster Newton Mill
North Dorset Sheaf of Arrows The Square, Cramborne, Dorset BH21 5PR
Ideal base for touring Dorset and the New Forest
Good home cooked food served everyday Sun - Thurs 12noon - 8pm. Fri & Sat 12noon - 9pm Open from 11am -11pm
Tel: 01752 517456
kwhite7@outlook.com
www.sheafofarrows.co.uk Open:
Sat, Sun, Mon & Thurs 11am - 5pm Easter to September Inclusive
www.sturminsternewton-museum.co.uk DT10 2HW
Visit the Beautiful Ice Cream Garden at Barford Farm. Relax and enjoy or simply take some home!
FREE Entry and parking for all visitors
Open: 5th April to 28th September 11.30am - 5.30pm Tuesday to Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays
www.barford-icecream.co.uk
enquiries@barford-icecream.co.uk Tel:01258 857969 Fax: 01258 857034 Barford Farm, Cowgrove Road, Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4BY
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of Wimborne Minster with its twin towers of the gracious Minster Church of St Cuthburga dominating the town skyline. Inside the Minster there is a wealth of intriguing artifacts including an astronomical clock that predates Galileo, the Quarterjack, a Saxon chest, roman mosaic, a tomb with two left feet and the man who was buried ‘neither within nor without’. Perhaps the Minster’s most unique feature is its amazing chained library dating from 1686 and reached via a stone spiral staircase.
Wimborne is also fames for its pretty streets and hidden courtyards and its varied attractions offer a great DAY OUT. Wimborne Market is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is one of the largest markets in the south of England.
Places to visit are the Priest’s House Museum with a beautiful walled garden adjacent to the River Allen. Further upstream on the northern edge of town Walford Mill is a crafts centre with an exhibition in the gallery and Mill’s bistro serving good food on the banks of the river. Should you fancy a trip on the river there are boats to hire, keep an eye out for wildlife including graceful swans and colourful kingfishers. Also must visits are the Wimborne Model Town & Gardens where there is fun for the kids, and the attractive Knoll Gardens.
Shapwick is a very small village on the River Stour, overlooked by the ancient hill fort of Badbury Rings. Despite its size it is a beautiful village to visit with some strange history.
Our last featured village is Sturminster Marshall in the Stour valley, with two triangular greens in the middle, one with the maypole, the other with the village stocks. A major attraction in the village is White Mill run by the National Trust. There are several very good food pubs, and the famous Barford farm produce.
BARFORD ICE CREAMS If you have never visited Barford Farm at Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne BH21 4BY then it is a summer must. Free entry and parking, lashings of fabulous award winning ice cream and sorbets and a beautiful garden to enjoy at the same time. Situated close to the River Stour on the National Trust Kingston Lacy Estate.
COUNTRY PUB & HOTEL 10 LUXURY EN-SUITE ROOMS FOOD SERVED DAILY FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE ALL ENQUIRIES WELCOME
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