West Purbeck
‘Tank Factory’ explores the making and makers of tanks and don’t miss the temporary ‘Fury’ exhibition, which uncovers the Museum’s involvement in the making of the film.
Special events go on throughout the year including Tankfest, Tiger Day and the Vintage Christmas Festival & Craft Fayre, as well as special activity programmes during the School Holidays*. Don’t miss the explosive Tanks in Action Displays, every weekday during the School Holidays*. Watch in awe as tanks roll into action in the arena, with thundering engines and life-like explosions - guaranteed to stop you in your tracks!
Exploring eight powerful exhibitions, you will come face to face with almost 300 armoured vehicles and the story of armoured warfare spanning 100 years. This unique collection is regarded as the finest in the world - and includes the world’s first ever tank, the feared German Tiger and the modern Challenger 2.
‘The Tank Story’ details tank history from its birth in 1915 to the present in a modern exhibition. ‘Battlegroup Afghanistan’ transports you to today’s front line as combat veterans give their accounts alongside the vehicles used on operations today. In ‘The Discovery Centre’, as well as in the Vehicle Conservation Centre, you’ll see the breadth of the museum’s vehicle collections.
‘The Trench Experience’ takes you back in time to the trenches in 1916, whilst “Warhorse to Horsepower” examines the rise of the tank and the demise of the cavalry in the mud of the Western Front. New this year, ‘Tank Men: The Story of the First Crews’, tells the stories of the first men who fought bravely in these revolutionary machines.
Tankfest, on the last weekend of June, is the world’s best display of historic moving armour with historic vehicles making their debuts, and old favourites returning to the arena with living history displays and mock battles. Stalls, food, entertainment and activities make this an event for the whole family.
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.
Don’t miss a fun-filled, fascinating day out for all the family at Monkey World during your stay in Dorset!
The 65-acre park in the heart of the Dorset countryside is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of primates in need and home to the stars of TV documentaries ‘Monkey Life’ and ‘Monkey Business’. With over 250 rescued and/or endangered primates of more than 20 different species, Monkey World is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the world!
The park is well laid out and spacious for both humans and monkeys alike. There is also a huge Great Ape Adventure Play area for kids, cafés, numerous picnic areas and a gift shop.
Keepers’ talks everyday from 12.30pm provide a captivating insight into life at the park - staff are so enthusiastic about what they do, giving a real feel-good factor. Pre-bookable guided tours are also available.
You can also support Monkey World in continuing their rescue and rehabilitation work by taking part in the ‘Adopt a Primate’ scheme. Prices start from just £25 per year, and include a photograph of your chosen primate, a certificate, up to three editions of the Ape Rescue Chronicle newsletter magazine, and a free entry pass to the park for one year.
Offering great value for money and a fun, fascinating day out, Monkey World is a firm family favourite all year round. The park is open every day, except Christmas Day, from 10am to 5pm (10am to 6pm during July and August).
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.
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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