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For a larger selection of PLACES TO VISIT, THINGS TO DO, FOOD & DRINK VENUES, WHERE TO STAY & WHERE TO SHOP, plus TOURIST INFORMATION please visit WWW.DAYOUTSOUTHWEST.CO.UK - Or get the DAYOUT&STAY App.


During September, fun for the whole family can be had at the largest Cheese Festival in Dorset. Tere are over ten miles of fishing on the beautiful River Stour as it flows below and above the town, and on through the Blackmore Vale. Nearby, Bulbarrow Hill is the second highest point in Dorset and a popular beauty spot.


To the south east of Sturminster lie the three Okeford villages: Okeford Fitzpaine is one of Dorset’s most attractive villages with timber-framed cottages, no overhead cables, and an unusual green post box. Shilling Okeford has a memorial Celtic Cross with a German field gun commemorating the perished of WW1. Child Okeford is dominated with the impressive Hambledon Hill and by its side, the ancient hillfort of Hod Hill. In the area of the Oakford, villages are the beauty spots of Turnworth Down, Ibberton Hill and Lulbarrow.


Yetminster is home to the Minster of St Andrew, where the bells of the 300 years old faceless clock chime the National Anthem six times per day. Stalbridge is the smallest town in Dorset and home to one of the best preserved Market Crosses in the south of England. To the south of the town is Tornhill House, open to visitors.


Sherborne is one of the most beautiful towns in England and attracts large numbers of visitors on account of its green fingers and the Hidden Gardens scheme, the Castleton Wildlife Garden, two public gardens which are free and open daily, the Sherborne in Bloom contest and the stunning grounds of two castles. Tere is so much to appreciate.


Situated on the Dorset and Somerset border, Sherborne has excellent transport links, making it a centre from which to explore Tomas Hardy’s (Wessex) area and neighbouring counties. Tis is a town of gardens medieval buildings, the most important of which are the Almshouse of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist; the 15th century Conduit House and the Julian. Te impressive Sherborne Abbey and Sherborne Castle with its gardens, antiquarian books, period furniture, portraits and works by local craftsmen should not be missed. At the Castle there are country fairs, classic car rallies, sporting events, a miniature railway for the children and an iconic band-stand used regularly by the local town band. Te town has an excellent museum with many local artefacts. Nearby, Purse Candle Manor and Sandford


Orcas Manor are also interesting places to visit. Contact Sherborne Tourist Information Centre for details of events: sherborne.tic@ westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk or www.sherbornedorset.co.uk


Gillingham is on the main railway line and only four miles from the A303, making it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area. Much of the town remains as it was in Hardy’s time. John Constable also used the town for this his famous painting ‘Te Old Town Bridge’ and other Constable works are in the town museum. Annually there is the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show held at nearby Motcombe. Te river banks around the town and Lodden Lakes are popular with anglers. For the historians Gillingham is the ‘Leddenton’ of Tomas Hardy’s novels.


Next is historic Shaftesbury, with its famous Abbey and Museum featuring the town’s unique heritage, artefacts and a 1744 wooden fire engine. Next to the Town Hall is St Peter’s church, containing medieval features, including carved angels and the foundation of a Saxon pier. Near to the church is Gold Hill, with pretty thatched cottages in the foreground and the Blackmore


Vale in the distance. Te Gold Hill Museum has artefacts of the famous Hovis advert. Shaftesbury holds two annual events: the Gold Hill Fair in July and the Shaftesbury Carnival is in October.


A short stroll from the High Street is Castle Hill, with wonderful views north towards Somerset and Wiltshire. Tere are numerous historic buildings within the old core of Shaftesbury. One of these, Ox House, was used by Tomas 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 the Farmer Giles attraction with great fun for the kids.


Just two miles from the town is the fancifully named ZigZag Hill, which provides excellent views across Cranborne Chase. Beyond this to the south east of Shaftesbury is the village of Ashmore with views of the Chase, 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. Te villages of Fontnell Myner, Iwerne Minster and Iwerne Courtney lie at the base


Sherborne Castle 94


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