Guidebook for Dorset

Bob And Sue
Bob And Sue
Guidebook for Dorset

Food Scene

An authentic French restaurant in the heart of the New Forest.
26 locals raden deze aan
Les Mirabelles
Forest Road
26 locals raden deze aan
An authentic French restaurant in the heart of the New Forest.
Wonderful food in a brilliant setting.
102 locals raden deze aan
The Jetty
95 Mudeford
102 locals raden deze aan
Wonderful food in a brilliant setting.
An beach cafe, that converts to a great restaurant come evening. A walk along the promenade will whet your appetite!
31 locals raden deze aan
Bistro On The Beach
Southbourne Coast Road
31 locals raden deze aan
An beach cafe, that converts to a great restaurant come evening. A walk along the promenade will whet your appetite!
Great for a pub lunch after a walk at Badbury Rings, and lovely evening service too.
7 locals raden deze aan
Anchor Inn Shapwick
West Street
7 locals raden deze aan
Great for a pub lunch after a walk at Badbury Rings, and lovely evening service too.
A pub restaurant owned by the Gussage All Saints village cooperative. A warm welcome at any time!
The Drovers
A pub restaurant owned by the Gussage All Saints village cooperative. A warm welcome at any time!
Gastro-pub in the lovely, remote village of Tarrant Monkton.
6 locals raden deze aan
The Langton Arms
6 locals raden deze aan
Gastro-pub in the lovely, remote village of Tarrant Monkton.
Top class gastro-pub, well worth the drive.
36 locals raden deze aan
The Museum Inn
36 locals raden deze aan
Top class gastro-pub, well worth the drive.
One of our very best local restaurants - book early, particularly at weekends.
21 locals raden deze aan
The Tickled Pig
26 West Borough
21 locals raden deze aan
One of our very best local restaurants - book early, particularly at weekends.
Handy local with good food.
10 locals raden deze aan
The Old Inn
Holt Lane
10 locals raden deze aan
Handy local with good food.
Great vegetarian food - and a top-quality take-away lifeline in 2020. We were so grateful to them!
21 locals raden deze aan
Restaurant Roots
141 Belle Vue Rd
21 locals raden deze aan
Great vegetarian food - and a top-quality take-away lifeline in 2020. We were so grateful to them!
Best fish and chips in the region. Order, collect and drive to the Bournemouth Beach to eat in true seaside style, or Deliveroo direct to the beach!
10 locals raden deze aan
Nick The Fish of Penn Hill
Penn Hill Avenue
10 locals raden deze aan
Best fish and chips in the region. Order, collect and drive to the Bournemouth Beach to eat in true seaside style, or Deliveroo direct to the beach!
Weekend deliveries of great street-food burgers and pizzas. Another lockdown lifesaver.
Flaming Peaches
28 Benson Road
Weekend deliveries of great street-food burgers and pizzas. Another lockdown lifesaver.
Excellent food after a walk along Bournemouth Beach at sunset.
Arbor Restaurant
4 Grove Rd
Excellent food after a walk along Bournemouth Beach at sunset.
Top lunches after a long scenic walk along Shell Bay.
165 locals raden deze aan
The Pig on the Beach
Manor Road
165 locals raden deze aan
Top lunches after a long scenic walk along Shell Bay.
Not tried it yet, but heard great things!
36 locals raden deze aan
NEO Restaurant
Exeter Road
36 locals raden deze aan
Not tried it yet, but heard great things!
Highly rated by several of our friends.
Escoffier Restaurant
Meyrick Road
Highly rated by several of our friends.
Another highly rated eatery.
13 locals raden deze aan
Brasserie Blanc - Bournemouth
105 W Cliff Rd
13 locals raden deze aan
Another highly rated eatery.
Good food in a beautiful North Dorset village. Some superb country walks to and from here.
8 locals raden deze aan
La Fosse at Cranborne
8-9 The Square
8 locals raden deze aan
Good food in a beautiful North Dorset village. Some superb country walks to and from here.
We've not tried it yet, but rated highly by recent guests -- and the location is terrific!
11 locals raden deze aan
Acorn Inn
28 Fore Street
11 locals raden deze aan
We've not tried it yet, but rated highly by recent guests -- and the location is terrific!
Opened in 2020, and has become a very popular feature on Poole Quay. Just the place to refuel after a trip to Brownsea Island.
17 locals raden deze aan
Rockfish Seafood Restaurant
9 The Quay
17 locals raden deze aan
Opened in 2020, and has become a very popular feature on Poole Quay. Just the place to refuel after a trip to Brownsea Island.
Recently renovated and with a large covered outside seating area. We've heard good reports of the food too.
The Old Thatch
285 Wimborne Rd W
Recently renovated and with a large covered outside seating area. We've heard good reports of the food too.
Always a welcome watering hole in the New Forest, and some good food too.
14 locals raden deze aan
The Trusty Servant
2 Compton Cottages
14 locals raden deze aan
Always a welcome watering hole in the New Forest, and some good food too.

Drinks & Nightlife

A good local inn, with a recently gained reputation for Thai food.
Barley Mow Inn
Long Lane
A good local inn, with a recently gained reputation for Thai food.
Another quirky local pub, with good beer and a dedicated clientele.
12 locals raden deze aan
The Vine Inn
Vine Hill
12 locals raden deze aan
Another quirky local pub, with good beer and a dedicated clientele.
Not exactly a bar, but one of the most unusual pubs in the UK. You have to try it, before or after a bracing cliff walk.
92 locals raden deze aan
The Square and Compass
Worth Matravers
92 locals raden deze aan
Not exactly a bar, but one of the most unusual pubs in the UK. You have to try it, before or after a bracing cliff walk.
A slightly longer walk than the Stocks, but another good local inn. Thursday is folk night -- be ready to join in!
The Horns Inn
Burt's Hill
A slightly longer walk than the Stocks, but another good local inn. Thursday is folk night -- be ready to join in!
Perfect after a clifftop walk to Old Harry Rocks.
36 locals raden deze aan
Bankes Arms Inn Studland
Manor Road
36 locals raden deze aan
Perfect after a clifftop walk to Old Harry Rocks.
Our very local local - easily walkable.
The Stocks Inn
Our very local local - easily walkable.
Has to be here for the name alone.
The True Lovers Knot
Has to be here for the name alone.
A quick local pub on a variety of levels, with a lovely riverside walk nearby.
12 locals raden deze aan
The Vine Inn
Vine Hill
12 locals raden deze aan
A quick local pub on a variety of levels, with a lovely riverside walk nearby.
Friday night real ale evenings
Eight Arch Brewing Co.
Friday night real ale evenings

Sightseeing

An amazing building in the quintessential English country town.
199 locals raden deze aan
Winchester Kathedraal
9 The Cl
199 locals raden deze aan
An amazing building in the quintessential English country town.
Another stunning cathedral, immortalised by Constable.
302 locals raden deze aan
Salisbury Cathedral
302 locals raden deze aan
Another stunning cathedral, immortalised by Constable.
It's a day trip on the ferry, and step back in time once you get there. Plus the scenery is quite beautiful.
55 locals raden deze aan
Isle of Wight
55 locals raden deze aan
It's a day trip on the ferry, and step back in time once you get there. Plus the scenery is quite beautiful.
House visits at selected times; tea in the garden throughout the summer.
13 locals raden deze aan
Cranborne Garden Centre
Wimborne Street
13 locals raden deze aan
House visits at selected times; tea in the garden throughout the summer.
A charming, scenic harbour town in the New Forest
224 locals raden deze aan
Lymington
224 locals raden deze aan
A charming, scenic harbour town in the New Forest
County town of Dorset with a local museum featuring a fine collection of Hardy memorabilia
131 locals raden deze aan
Dorchester
131 locals raden deze aan
County town of Dorset with a local museum featuring a fine collection of Hardy memorabilia
Major historic relic, with great views to the Jurassic Coast
425 locals raden deze aan
Corfe Castle
425 locals raden deze aan
Major historic relic, with great views to the Jurassic Coast
Much more cosmopolitain than you might think, and with wonderful beaches and a 7 mile walk along the prom.
262 locals raden deze aan
Bournemouth
262 locals raden deze aan
Much more cosmopolitain than you might think, and with wonderful beaches and a 7 mile walk along the prom.
Iron Age fort. Circular walk along the defensive mounds, from which you can see three counties and the sea (on a clear day)
35 locals raden deze aan
Badbury Rings
Blandford Road
35 locals raden deze aan
Iron Age fort. Circular walk along the defensive mounds, from which you can see three counties and the sea (on a clear day)
A little slice of Dorset history
National Trust - White Mill
Mill Lane
A little slice of Dorset history
Go early to avoid the crowds, and enjoy a wonderful cliff walk to Durdle Door
383 locals raden deze aan
Lulworth Cove
383 locals raden deze aan
Go early to avoid the crowds, and enjoy a wonderful cliff walk to Durdle Door
Classic Jurassic.
403 locals raden deze aan
Durdle Door
403 locals raden deze aan
Classic Jurassic.
A massive car park, but walk a couple of hundred metres and you'll find quiet and dramatic beaches. At the end of the spit, see the the ludicrously expensive beach huts in all their rainbow glory!
264 locals raden deze aan
Hengistbury Head
264 locals raden deze aan
A massive car park, but walk a couple of hundred metres and you'll find quiet and dramatic beaches. At the end of the spit, see the the ludicrously expensive beach huts in all their rainbow glory!
The cliff that featured heavily in ITV's Broadchurch. The series used many locations around Harbour Cliff
167 locals raden deze aan
West Bay
167 locals raden deze aan
The cliff that featured heavily in ITV's Broadchurch. The series used many locations around Harbour Cliff
The mighty magic of steam - a step back in time.
6 locals raden deze aan
Corfe Castle station
6 locals raden deze aan
The mighty magic of steam - a step back in time.
Several guided trips on small boats to see the Jurassic Coast, Sandbanks, Poole Harbour etc.
14 locals raden deze aan
City Cruises Poole
The Quay
14 locals raden deze aan
Several guided trips on small boats to see the Jurassic Coast, Sandbanks, Poole Harbour etc.
A beautiful National Trust property with a superb walled rose garden (best in June and July).
35 locals raden deze aan
Mottisfont
35 locals raden deze aan
A beautiful National Trust property with a superb walled rose garden (best in June and July).

Parks & Nature

Fantastic National Trust stately home and gardens. Great for cream teas!
16 locals raden deze aan
Kingston Lacy Estate
Blandford Road
16 locals raden deze aan
Fantastic National Trust stately home and gardens. Great for cream teas!
Iron Age fort, and National Nature Reserve
9 locals raden deze aan
Martin Down National Nature Reserve
9 locals raden deze aan
Iron Age fort, and National Nature Reserve
A great picnic spot after a clifftop walk from Lulworth Cove.
403 locals raden deze aan
Durdle Door
403 locals raden deze aan
A great picnic spot after a clifftop walk from Lulworth Cove.
Pretty fishing cove with great swimming from the beach.
383 locals raden deze aan
Lulworth Cove
383 locals raden deze aan
Pretty fishing cove with great swimming from the beach.
Wonderful clifftop views of the Isle of Wight and the English Channel. The easternmost part of the Jurassic Cost. Afterwards, lunch at the Bankes Arms.
152 locals raden deze aan
Old Harry Rocks
152 locals raden deze aan
Wonderful clifftop views of the Isle of Wight and the English Channel. The easternmost part of the Jurassic Cost. Afterwards, lunch at the Bankes Arms.
A massive shingle beach enclosing a long seawater lagoon.
112 locals raden deze aan
Chesil Beach
112 locals raden deze aan
A massive shingle beach enclosing a long seawater lagoon.
Undiscovered chalk downland with many stunning footpaths and bridleways.
8 locals raden deze aan
Cranborne Chase AONB
B3081
8 locals raden deze aan
Undiscovered chalk downland with many stunning footpaths and bridleways.
From Old Harry Rocks, you can walk the Coast as far as Devon if you have the time. A World Heritage Site.
194 locals raden deze aan
Jurassic Coast
194 locals raden deze aan
From Old Harry Rocks, you can walk the Coast as far as Devon if you have the time. A World Heritage Site.
Miles of sand - great place for a picnic breakfast
8 locals raden deze aan
Shell Bay
8 locals raden deze aan
Miles of sand - great place for a picnic breakfast
Beautiful Private Gardens with an international reputation for ornamental grasses.
6 locals raden deze aan
Knoll Gardens
Stapehill Road
6 locals raden deze aan
Beautiful Private Gardens with an international reputation for ornamental grasses.
Go for the trees, in fact Go Ape. Or just enjoy a quiet stroll and lunch.
262 locals raden deze aan
Moors Valley Country Park en Forest
Horton Road
262 locals raden deze aan
Go for the trees, in fact Go Ape. Or just enjoy a quiet stroll and lunch.
Unspoilt beauty, after a beautiful boat trip from Poole Quay. Spend a day spotting the red squirrels.
204 locals raden deze aan
Brownsea Island
204 locals raden deze aan
Unspoilt beauty, after a beautiful boat trip from Poole Quay. Spend a day spotting the red squirrels.
Beautiful, year round -- with a steam railway thrown in.
87 locals raden deze aan
Exbury-tuinen
87 locals raden deze aan
Beautiful, year round -- with a steam railway thrown in.
Superb New Forest gardens, with so many walks close at hand. Try the Trusty Servant for lunch, before or after your visit.
41 locals raden deze aan
Furzey-tuinen
School Lane
41 locals raden deze aan
Superb New Forest gardens, with so many walks close at hand. Try the Trusty Servant for lunch, before or after your visit.

Arts & Culture

T E Lawrence's last home - a National Trust property.
32 locals raden deze aan
Clouds Hill
King George V Road
32 locals raden deze aan
T E Lawrence's last home - a National Trust property.
An unexpectedly interesting day out, with genuinely awesome hardware, and some remarkably sensitive stories of the lives of tank crews.
247 locals raden deze aan
Het Tankmuseum
Linsay Road
247 locals raden deze aan
An unexpectedly interesting day out, with genuinely awesome hardware, and some remarkably sensitive stories of the lives of tank crews.
The former home of Thomas Hardy and is located on the outskirts of Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was designed and built by Thomas Hardy for his own use in 1885 and he lived there until his death in 1928.
16 locals raden deze aan
Max Gate
16 locals raden deze aan
The former home of Thomas Hardy and is located on the outskirts of Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was designed and built by Thomas Hardy for his own use in 1885 and he lived there until his death in 1928.
Live music of all kinds, plus comedy and other theatrical events.
101 locals raden deze aan
Bournemouth International Centre
Exeter Road
101 locals raden deze aan
Live music of all kinds, plus comedy and other theatrical events.
Newly renovated as the Museum of East Dorset -- you'll get a good sense of the local history of this part of the world.
6 locals raden deze aan
Priest's House Museum & Garden
23-29 High St
6 locals raden deze aan
Newly renovated as the Museum of East Dorset -- you'll get a good sense of the local history of this part of the world.
It's been popular for a long time now, but the motor museum has some exquisite antique machines. Summer weekends are best avoided...
155 locals raden deze aan
Beaulieu
155 locals raden deze aan
It's been popular for a long time now, but the motor museum has some exquisite antique machines. Summer weekends are best avoided...

Entertainment & Activities

Impressive local arts centre for music, cinema, theatre, art - and coffee.
53 locals raden deze aan
Lighthouse, Poole's Centre For The Arts
21 Kingland Rd
53 locals raden deze aan
Impressive local arts centre for music, cinema, theatre, art - and coffee.
Multiplex cinema, plus shops and chain restaurants.
Tower Retail Park
Dorset Way
Multiplex cinema, plus shops and chain restaurants.
Local arts centre, kept running very efficiently by the community. Movies, music, and other entertainments.
16 locals raden deze aan
The Tivoli Theatre
19 West Borough
16 locals raden deze aan
Local arts centre, kept running very efficiently by the community. Movies, music, and other entertainments.
A great day out, with an excellent collection of vintage wheels.
197 locals raden deze aan
Nationaal Motor Museum, Beaulieu
197 locals raden deze aan
A great day out, with an excellent collection of vintage wheels.
We haven't tried the yoga, but the beaches at Bournemouth are spectacular..
Yoga on the Beach
2494 Undercliff Dr
We haven't tried the yoga, but the beaches at Bournemouth are spectacular..
Excellent local golf course.
6 locals raden deze aan
Remedy Oak Golf Course
Horton Road
6 locals raden deze aan
Excellent local golf course.
An absolute thrill, with some coaching before you let rip on the ocean!
11 locals raden deze aan
Jetski Safaris
40 Salterns Way
11 locals raden deze aan
An absolute thrill, with some coaching before you let rip on the ocean!
One of the best sites in the UK for underwater adventures.
Swanage Piers Trust
One of the best sites in the UK for underwater adventures.
Good local centre with a nice indoor pool, good gyms and several classes every day.
Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre
Blandford Road
Good local centre with a nice indoor pool, good gyms and several classes every day.
Learn the art of perfume making, or just enjoy a great lunch
10 locals raden deze aan
Keyneston Mill, Home of Parterre Fragrances
Keyneston Mill
10 locals raden deze aan
Learn the art of perfume making, or just enjoy a great lunch
Hire a boat and take leisurely trip along the river in your own time.
Dreamboats Wimborne
Hire a boat and take leisurely trip along the river in your own time.
Navigate yourself along the River Frome in a kayak.
22 locals raden deze aan
Wareham Boat Trips
3 The Quay
22 locals raden deze aan
Navigate yourself along the River Frome in a kayak.
Feeling adventurous? You can learn to kitesurf from the beach at Poole.
Easy Riders Sandbanks Beach Club
Shore Road
Feeling adventurous? You can learn to kitesurf from the beach at Poole.
Easy to get to, but much harder to get out of. A great diversion if the weather isn't with you.
Margonin
Easy to get to, but much harder to get out of. A great diversion if the weather isn't with you.

Essentials

(Almost) everything you need, a five minute walk away.
Furzehill Village Store and Post Office
Smugglers' Lane
(Almost) everything you need, a five minute walk away.
Wimborne's second best supermarket
Co-op Food - Wimborne
Hanham Road
Wimborne's second best supermarket
Another handy convenience store, 5 minutes drive away (with parking)
Co-op Food - Colehill
1 Smugglers' Ln
Another handy convenience store, 5 minutes drive away (with parking)
Handy local M&S Food Hall
M&S Foodhall
Ringwood Road
Handy local M&S Food Hall
Good dried logs, year round.
The Woodshed Ltd
Good dried logs, year round.
Wimborne's best supermarket.
Waitrose
Rowlands Hill
Wimborne's best supermarket.
Light meals, farm food, and logs.
6 locals raden deze aan
Pamphill Dairy Farm Shop & Parlour Café
546 Abbott Street
6 locals raden deze aan
Light meals, farm food, and logs.
Good quality meat and vegetables, just up the road, no parking hassles.
High Lea Butchers
Witchampton Lane
Good quality meat and vegetables, just up the road, no parking hassles.