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Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Dorset, England
Discover the best top things to do in Dorset, United Kingdom including Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorset Adventure Park, Castletown D-Day Centre, Bournemouth Aviation Museum, Kingston Lacy, Hardy's Cottage, Red House Museum & Gardens, Sherborne Castle & Gardens, Athelhampton House and Gardens, Dinosaurland Fossil Museum.
Restaurants in Dorset
1. Sculpture by the Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,366 reviews
Beautiful 26 acre Sculpture Park & Gardens, with Gallery cafe. Due to deep water NO CHILDREN UNDER 14 years of age (including babies) and NO DOGS are allowed. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, hut bookings are from 10am to 4.45pm. Entry is £12.50 per person. The Gallery Cafe is now open serving tea, coffee, light meals, delicious cakes, cream tea's, ice creams etc., visitors can choose to eat inside, outside (at the newly created seating area), or take it out into the Sculpture Park using one of the picnic baskets provided, complete with rug. Visitors are able to enjoy the Gallery & Gallery Cafe without entry to the Sculpture Park. Described as one of the most beautiful & unique sculpture parks in the United Kingdom, Sculpture by the Lakes marries the soft beauty of nature's wild river landscape with the more formal presentation of monumental outdoor sculpture. It is that combination of art and landscape that inspires Sculpture by the Lakes.
Reviewed By matttJ1645KV
So so Tranquil.easy to find on Sat Nav.some beautifully thought out by some very friendly and approachable staff.going to go again as soon as.Alot of thought and sensitivity about and how each sculpture is placed.i highly recommend this venue for sculpture newbies.
2. Dorset Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,568 reviews
Dorset Adventure Park is a family fun Waterpark and Mud Trail. Featuring 18 acres of woodland and lakes with stunning views of Corfe Castle. Whether you’re looking to get wet or muddy, there is something for everyone to enjoy! The Waterpark is a huge Woodland Water Park spread over two lakes overlooking Corfe Castle. Each lake features different inflatable obstacles for you to tackle. More than 200m of wet inflatable fun for you to challenge your family and friends. Dorset Mud Trail is an outdoor adventure trail for any age and is fantastic fun in any weather; great on a sunny day, but even more fun in the rain. Featuring 50 different muddy obstacles over a 2km trail. Mud washes off, memories last a lifetime! Free parking and Snack Shack offering hot and cold food and drinks. Come and join us for a full of fun day of outdoor adventure for all the family!
Reviewed By NikkiE381
I took my teenage son and a few of his friends there last month and we were met with very friendly and helpful staff. The facilities are superb with warm outdoor showers to wash off the mud and changing rooms next door, lockers and a snack shack with hot drinks and snacks to keep you going. We will definitely be back.
3. Castletown D-Day Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 354 reviews
The Castletown D-Day Centre is a family friendly, interactive WWII museum that tells the story of the thousands of US military personnel who in June 1944 sailed from Dorset to the beaches of Normandy.
Reviewed By FamilyManWessex
A great WW2 museum where you are invited to touch guns and sit in and on the vehicles including a jeep, motorbike and sidecar troop carriers anti-aircraft gun and Sherman tank. Really friendly and helpful staff. A great family experience for our children aged between 5 and 15.
4. Bournemouth Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 346 reviews
Reviewed By TimB3691
Lots of aircraft cockpits to sit in.really liked the Vulcan bomber cockpit. The 737 aircraft exhibit is great.
5. Kingston Lacy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,816 reviews
Reviewed By ForestGrumpy - Poole, United Kingdom
Enjoyed a lovely walk through the grounds (Don't miss the jJapanese and the kitchen garden) then a brief look at the extensive rooms Great little cafe and nicely served light lunch
6. Hardy's Cottage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 561 reviews
Reviewed By Alan0566 - Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Had a lovely trip around hardy’s cottage this week it starts with a nice stroll though the woods from the visitor centre to the cottage we then walk through the garden to get into the cottage from there the knowledgeable staff give a fascinating insight to hardy’s early life in mid 1800’s Dorset
7. Red House Museum & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
A former Georgian workhouse, the Red House is now a museum exploring the story of Christchurch from before the Ice Age to modern times. Find out about the town’s ancient past with our displays about Saxon princes and Iron Age dwellers at Hengistbury Head, then take a glimpse at life in the 19th century in our Victorian bygone gallery. In our family area, you’ll find hands-on activities and dressing-up costumes, as well as quizzes and spotter trails. There are plenty of corners to escape to at the museum, including our charming herb garden and south garden, which holds unexpected dinosaur surprises. The Red House has a charming shop with a wide selection of gifts to browse or buy and the café is the perfect setting for a bite to eat or something to drink, inside or out. Throughout the year, we also run a programme of fun, family-friendly events.
Reviewed By Mike1717 - Christchurch, United Kingdom
Free to enter, this is a lovely place to visit. It’s building is big, in mellow red brick, and in the past has been a workhouse and a fusee factory. A fusee is a small chain used in clock and watchmaking. There is an eclectic mix of exhibits, ranging from the prehistoric to ictorian times. There is a small shop. An exhibition room attracts varying displays of art, photography and crafts. The garden is small, but beautifully maintained by volunteers. An hour will allow you to see everything, after which, cross the road to the exquisite priory church, the longest in England, and then stroll the 200 metres to the town High Street.
8. Sherborne Castle & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 538 reviews
Sherborne Castle & Gardens is a wonderful day out. Visit our historic castle and walk through 400 years of history, explore 42 acres of “capability” Brown landscape gardens and take time to enjoy a delicious cream tea in our tea room. Why not browse in the gift shop & pick up a bottle of our very own Sherborne Castle Wine to take home to drink with your supper!
Reviewed By GrahamP1518
We visited this amazing castle that was built for Sir Walter Raleigh, what a treat beautiful castle and gardens by Capability Brown. Lots of history here and great views over the gardens and old castle. Very much enjoyed our day!
9. Athelhampton House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 755 reviews
Athelhampton House is one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses. Dating from 1485, the Great Hall is a fine example of domestic Tudor architecture, the house has many interesting rooms, filled with antique furnishings and art. The Gardens remodelled in 1891 surround the House, with many 'compartments' built with Ham stone, each with a different style or theme, each with a water feature of a pond or fountain. The Great Court features the 12 world famous giant yew tree pyramids. The House and Gardens are protected by a Grade 1 listing, and are well maintained to protect for future generations. An excellent visitor centre with restaurant, tea room, gift shop and plant sales area complete the attraction. Enjoy a great Lunch or afternoon tea. See our website for special offers.
Reviewed By Li33iet
We had a fantastic day out at Athelhampton House & Gardens. The house was a complete joy to explore and still retains a lived in feel with masses of history. The visit was very relaxed, we were able to come and go as we pleased , breaking off for a superb lunch in the restaurant before returning to the house. The gardens were beautiful, a delight to explore with plenty of places to sit and rest or take in the views. All staff were very friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable about the property and it’s history. Little touches such as being able to borrow a guide book while touring the house and gardens and being invited to sit on the chairs while exploring the house were exceptional. Returning to the restaurant for superb tea and cake rounded off a perfect day. Would happily revisit when next in the area.
10. Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 417 reviews
A traditional museum with more than 10000 specimens on permanent display.
Reviewed By IainSpirit - Southampton, United Kingdom
We went here the day before heading to the beach fossil hunting. The collection is huge and you could spend days looking at the displays, we had a very excited 7 year old determined to see what was next so we didn't spend as much time as we would have liked. Do remember its a private collection and not the natural history museum so you could walk round it in a 5 - 10 minutes. Having said that there are literally thousands or tens of thousands of individual exhibits and being a private collection the owners are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable with every single piece each having a back story. I would have loved to have gone without covid and spent a lot more time learning. Even with COVID the owner made us feel really welcome, spent time chatting and even spent a lot of time giving us advice on where to head to the following day. The building is Mary Anning's old church converted into a Dino Museum so you really get a great atmosphere and there are wow's everywhere you look well worth the money.
