10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Dorset That You Shouldn't Miss

For nearly 300 years a lighthouse has stood on Portland Bill to guide vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth and acting as a waymark for vessels navigating in the English Channel. A red sector light warns mariners of the hazardous Shambles Bank lying three miles offshore. Tours of Portland Bill Lighthouse are organised by AMH Support Services under licence from the Corporation of Trinity House.

For up to date visitor information, including opening days and times, please see our website. Mapperton is a glorious sandstone manor house and romantic valley garden deep in a lost Dorset combe among tumbling hills and unspoiled countryside. Fifteen acres of gardens descend from the croquet lawn, through the formal topiary down to the wild garden. Mapperton is the home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. Mapperton successfully obtained VisitEngland ‘We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 certification and carried out a full COVID-19 risk assessment before implementing current safety procedures.

Weymouth Sand Sculpture Festival aka Sandworld is a seasonal attraction set within Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth - next door to the SeaLife Centre, and next to a large car and coach park. Sandworld is an all weather attraction created by local artists to showcase the talents of International and UK Sand Sculptors undercover in a huge marquee. There is a large covered sand pit. Visitors are encouraged to "have a go" at sandsculpting having been inspired by what they have seen. It is sometimes possible to engage with artists as they work on new pieces which are added to the site from time to time, and always possible to relax with a drink, snack or icecream at the on site cafe. Activities such as filling sand bottles are available at extra cost, and a gift shop completes the experience where you can buy a postcard of your favourite sculpture or a souvenier of your visit. The attraction has a link to Weymouths long tradition of Sand Sculpting, as Mark Anderson - co-founder of Sandworld - is the grandson of Fred Darrington, who began sculpting on Weymouth beach back in the 1920's. Mark is an International Master in his own right, and can often be found in the sandpit at Sandworld helping aspiring sculptors - young and old - to engage in this most therapeutic of activities. Length of visit times varies widely depending on the individual or groups' level of interest and/or engagement with the art, and of course the weather (although most of the exhibits are undercover, a visit in November will not be the same as a visit in August). Some visitors stay 10 minutes, some stay all day, either way is cool. All are welcome at Sandworld - please come and see us! Open between Easter and Halloween

Mudeford Quay is a small beautiful corner of the Borough of Christchurch in Dorset, England. Situated at the entrance of Christchurch Harbour, Mudeford Quay benefits from spectacular views along the coast, over to the Needles on the Isle of Wight & back to Christchurch town. Mudeford Quay is made up of two areas, the Quay itself and Mudeford Spit, a natural sandbank which leads to Hengisbury Head all the way to Boscombe & Bournemouth. The Quay is a hub of activity with beautiful beaches, the lush grassed area ideal for picnics and enjoying the beautiful scenery and the Quayside itself which has a small shops, a pub, a fish stall and plenty of vantage points to watch the world go by.

Unique church featuring the world largest collection of Sir Laurence Whistler's engraved glass windows. A must see for all art lovers. The first church was built in 1190 and rebuilt in 1410 and 1776. A war time bombing on 8 October 1940 extensively damaged the church and the refurbishment resulted in the 13 uniquely artistic engraved glass windows by Sir Laurence Whistler that we have today. Sir Laurence Whistler is general regarded as the man who revived glass engraving in the 20th century and he spent nearly 40 years of his life working on the church. The first windows being installed in 1955 and the last window, which was engraved in 1993, and only installed in 2013. (Note: The 13th window can only be seen from outside the church. Follow the gravel path. Lawrence of Arabia (T E Lawrence) is also buried in the New Cemetery across the road. You can also explore the village of Moreton with a free entry walled garden, two tearooms, the River Frome and plenty of countryside walks.