Location: Blandford Forum
Top Things to do in Blandford Forum
- 1. Royal Signals Museum
- 2. Shillingstone Railway Project
- 3. Hall & Woodhouse Brewery Visitor Centre
- 4. Hambledon Hill
- 5. Blandford Forum Town Museum
- 6. The Blandford Fashion Museum
- 7. Sunny Republic Brewing Company
- 8. Badbury Rings
- 9. St. Peter and St. Paul's Church
- 10. Blandford Forum Indoor Market
Top Restaurants in Blandford Forum
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Blandford Forum, United Kingdom (UK)
Blandford Forum (/ˈblænfərd/ BLAN-fərd), commonly Blandford, is a market town in the North Dorset district of Dorset, England, sited by the River Stour about 24 km (15 mi) northwest of Poole. It is the administrative headquarters of North Dorset District Council.
Restaurants in Blandford Forum
1. Royal Signals Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Nestled in beautiful countryside, this modern museum traces the history of the British Army’s Royal Corps of Signals and the story of battlefield communications from the telegraph to cyber warfare and satellites! Learn about this fascinating subject through excellent interactive displays: guide a laser beam, "direction find" the enemy, set up satellite networks, learn about encryption, practice Morse code and more! Adults must bring photo ID as we are located in a military camp. Open 10-5 weekdays and 10-4 at weekends. Adults please bring Photo ID.
Reviewed By Iain J - Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
A most interesting day on a working army base (don't forget your photo ID). Using an interactive display I managed to track down a colleague I worked with in a Croydon school. Some of the displays were not working (no headphones!) but the motorbike displays were really good. Excellent and well priced cafe in the museum.
2. Shillingstone Railway Project
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Restless59 - Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Cycling along the Trailway from Blandford just couldn't pass by without having a gander!!! It's like turning the clock back 30/40 years WONDERFUL. Warm welcome by the hard working folk serving in the cafe and friendly smiley faces of those manning the museum and outer buildings.
Just NOTE opens From 10 am to 4 pm
ONLY Wed, Sat & Sun but well worth a visit.
3. Hall & Woodhouse Brewery Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
The Brewery Visitor Centre tells the story of Hall & Woodhouse and its Badger Ales through the ages. Located at the Brewery in Blandford St Mary your trip can include a brewery tour, a visit to our shop and lunch in our casual dining bar / cafe. We also offer conference facilities and the bar / cafe can be hired out for private events or parties. Brewery Tour: You can partake in a full guided tour of the brewery where you can discover the true art of brewing! You can soak up the atmosphere, taste the malt and smell the hops as you see our new brewery in action. Tours are run daily from Monday to Saturday at 11am (excluding Wednesdays) lasting approximately 2 hours and includes beer tasting! Evening tours can also be arranged on request. Booking is essential. The Brewery Shop: You can browse and purchase our full range of bottled ales along with tasteful branded merchandise such as glassware, beer tankards and polo shirts. Opening times 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. The Bar / Cafe: You can also relax and enjoy a beer or a coffee with a light lunch in our relaxed casual dining environment, with free Wifi access. Food service times: 9.30am to 2.30pm Monday - Saturday.
Reviewed By Natasha A
We went on the brewery for today, our guide Trevor was fantastic. He was really knowledgeable and enthusiastic and I feel we learnt a lot more than we normally have on other similar tours. You get to see a lot of the brewery and I think it’s really great value for money. The restaurant is really nice and cosy, lots to look at including a beer bottle chandelier and history of the brewery. We both had steak and ale pie which was the best we’ve had! Staff are really friendly behind the bar and at reception/shop and I can’t rate this place highly enough! P.S. don’t usually drink beer but that totally didn’t matter it was a really good morning.
4. Hambledon Hill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By FleaBee75 - Blandford Forum, United Kingdom
Hambledon Hill is a worthwhile climb, a lovely place for a picnic. It is an Iron Age fort, larger than Hod Hill, with a different history. Enjoy the views from the top and then go down to The Cricketers in Shroton (Iwerne Courtney) and a glass of something and/or a meal. Dogs are welcome, so long as they are under control, especially when there is livestock on the hill. You do need to clean up after the dog and take it down to an appropriate dog-waste bin.
5. Blandford Forum Town Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Blandford Town Museum holds a wealth of artefacts and archives from Prehistoric to the present day. With information for people researching their family history, militaria and Railways to information and learning boxes for schools. The Museum interacts with the local community through a variety of special interest clubs. When you join the museum as a member you can join the museum directly or can join as a member of one of several museum clubs, information about which can be accessed on our website.
Reviewed By Wheresmebus - Nantwich, United Kingdom
This is a corking little museum, entrance is free, donations appreciated. It looks pretty small on the outside, but it's like a Tardis inside, loads of local stuff to see and all really interesting. Quite a bit of material relating to the late and much lamented Somerset and Dorset Railway. This museum is a must-visit if you're in this very attractive Geogian town.
6. The Blandford Fashion Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Pam S - Milborne Saint Andrew, United Kingdom
The museum is well laid out in a fascinating old building. Lots of displays with well written information. The tea room is worth a visit even if not visiting the museum. Lovely scones and selection of drinks, really good prices too. Very friendly volunteers made us feel welcome.
7. Sunny Republic Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Rachel K - Poole, United Kingdom
This is the second time I've been on the brewery tour and it's a very good, personal tour and the ales have such distinctive flavours. The owners are very passionate about what they do and are more than willing to answer all questions. The informal atmosphere is a really nice touch and it's definitely worth the trip to try the beer.
8. Badbury Rings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By MikeSivo - Wakefield, United Kingdom
Some of our ancient monuments pre-date the age of Castles who's legacy are the many stone Castles dotted around our fair kingdom. One of these is Badbury Rings, an iron age fort located on the B3082 Blandford Road between Blandford Forum and Wimborne Minster.
Comprising of concentric rings of ditches and ramparts the inner centre would have housed a settlement. The settlement has long since gone, however the rings remain and there are many walks to be experienced in the area.
If you are in the Blandford Forum area and have got a couple of hours to spare it's worth taking a look at this mysterious ancient site.
Just note that the site is owned by the National Trust and whilst access and car parking are free there are no amenities on site. Any one with mobility issues will also struggle with this site.
9. St. Peter and St. Paul's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By igrabuman - Poole, United Kingdom
Georgian splendour overlaid with Victorian extravagance, huge under-budgeting and English weather will keep this magnificent building a target for upkeep projects for decades to come. But its worth it. The archivist regales you of tales of the Great Fire, the fantastic public response, human and ecclesiastical personal stories as you realise the scale of the conservation project. I went as part of Dorset Architectural Heritage Week and recommend you contact first as the background is fascinating. Leave at least an hour.
10. Blandford Forum Indoor Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Dorsetsbest - Blandford Forum, United Kingdom
This indoor market can be hit or miss sometimes there are plenty of sellers some days just a few. There were wood turners knitted crafts, cards, jewelry, bricabrack, sometimes there are charity stalls. The cafe in there is very good, great home made cakes teas and coffee etc .
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