Monkey World

Set amongst the woodland of Dorset lays 65 acres of sanctuary for over 150 primates. Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim and Alison Cronin to provide abused Spanish beach chimps with a permanent, stable home. Today Monkey World works in conjunction with foreign governments from all over the world to stop the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia. At the park visitors can see more than 150 primates of 15 different species.

The Tank Museum

The Tank Museum hold the world's most comprehensive and important collection of armoured fighting vehicles, ranging from the first tank ever built to the modern Challenger II. The collection includes many World War I tanks and a wide selection of captured World War II German armour. The museum is open daily, except Christmas.

 

Durdle Door

Durdle Door in Dorset with its massive rock arch, set right on the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth, is absolutely beautiful. There is a sloping beach for bathing or snorkeling from, caves and exciting rock strata.Durdle Door is one of Dorset's most recognisable features. On a clear day you can see along the Jurassic Coast westwards towards Portland and eastwards towards Man of War Bay and Lulworth.

 

Lulworth Cove

Lulworth is most famous for its Cove, a natural horseshoe-shaped harbour. Nearby, the Lulworth Estate also has much to offer. Whether you're here for a day, a week or longer, there are attractions to visit, places to stay, stunning walks on the coast and in the countryside, hospitality (private & corporate) and an annual programme of events.Lulworth Cove with its thatched cottages, fishing boats, lobster pots, wild flowers, quaint little gift shops and tea rooms - the charm of the place is timeless and you will want to return over and again.

Swanage Steam Railway

The award-winning Swanage Railway currently operates on the six miles of track between Swanage and Norden, through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, passing the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle.

 

 

Corfe Castle

Corfe, both as a village and a castle, is located on the A351 halfway between Wareham and Swanage, on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. Situated in the heart of the "Isle of Purbeck", Corfe village and the surrounding area boast a wealth of things to see, to do and to enjoy, which encourage many visitors to return year upon year. With so much to see, so many places to visit & stay, extraordinary shopping experiences and an abundance of places to eat & drink.

Jurassic Coastline

The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site is England's first natural World Heritage Site - it is known as The Jurassic Coast. It covers 95 miles of truly stunning coastline from East Devon to Dorset, with rocks recording 185 million years of the Earth's history.

 

 

Lulworth Castle

Lulworth castle, built in the early 17th Century as a hunting lodge, became a country house at the heart of a large estate. Thomas Howard, 3rd Lord Bindon, built the Castle in order to entertain hunting parties for the King and Court. The Howards owned it until 1641 when it was purchased by Humphrey Weld, the direct ancestor of the present owners.

 

Chesil Beach

Chesil Beach is a shingle barrier ridge at the eastern end of Lyme Bay, extending 18 miles from Burton Bradstock to Fortuneswell on Portland. As far as Abbotsbury it is attached to the land, but beyond that the lagoon of The Fleet separates it from land, until it runs head-on into Portland. One can walk on the beach at Burton Bradstock, where there is a visitor centre, and get fine views from the coast road, the B3157, on the heights of White Hill just west of Abbotsbury, where there is a lay-by.

Purbeck Hills and Walks

The Purbeck Hills and South Dorset Downs are a ridge of chalk downs in Dorset, England. The hills extend from the Dorset Downs west of Dorchester, where the River Frome begins to form a valley dividing them from the larger area of downland to the north. The ridge then runs east through the Isle of Purbeck to Old Harry Rocks where it meets the sea. There are a number of Iron Age, Roman and Saxon archaeological sites, such as Nine Barrow Down.

 

The Blue Pool

Close to the ancient town of Wareham in the English county of Dorset is a visitor attraction that is not quite like any other. Only a short distance on the main A351 between Wareham and Corfe Castle, it is wholly English, but at times it could be Canadian, at others Norwegian.

 

 

Poole Harbour

Poole Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, with the towns of Poole and Wareham on its shores. The harbour is a drowned valley formed at the end of the last ice age and is the estuary of several rivers, the largest being the Frome. The harbour has a long history of human settlement stretching to pre-Roman times. The harbour is extremely shallow (average depth: 48cm), which makes it an ideal site for water sports.