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Some Local Attractions
Charmouth
Heritage Coast Centre. The
picturesque sea side village of Charmouth is located on the World
Heritage Site Jurassic Coast. The Lower Jurassic clays in this part of
Dorset are full of fossils that are washed out of the cliffs and left in
the gravel and sand to be found by those who look carefully enough…
The Centre has a Jurassic Theatre,
where for a small charge (adults £1, children 50p) you can watch a short
film on 'Finding fossils at Charmouth' or 'Black Ven; life on the edge'.
Throughout the year we run guided fossil hunting expeditions, rockpooling
walks, plus countryside and marine discovery activities along the local
coastline. |
| Lyme
Regis. The seafront and
harbour known as "The Cobb" is a jewel in a many faceted crown.
The Cobb is internationally known as the place where Louisa Musgrove fell
from steps, known locally as "Granny's Teeth" in the Jane
Austen novel "Persuasion". The Cobb also became visually
famous when the late John Fowles novel "The French Lieutenants
Woman" was made into a very successful film of the same name. |
| Forde
Abbey is a treasure in an area already known for its
outstanding beauty. More than 900 years of history and romance are
encapsulated in this elegant former Cistercian monastery and its 30 acres
of exquisite award winning gardens. |
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Montacute
House.
A glittering Elizabethan house, adorned with elegant chimneys, carved
parapets and other Renaissance features, including contemporary
plasterwork, chimney pieces and heraldic glass. The magnificent state
rooms, including a long gallery which is the largest of its type in
England, are full of fine 17th and 18th century furniture and Elizabethan
and Jacobean portraits from the National Portrait Gallery. There are also
good quality textiles, including an exhibition of 17th century samplers.
The formal garden includes mixed borders and old roses and is surrounded
by a landscape park. Montacute featured in the award winning film Sense
and Sensibility.
Note: Some rooms in the house do not have electric light, so visitors
wishing to make a close study of tapestries, textiles or paintings should
avoid visiting on dull days. |
| Weymouth
Sea Life Park A unique mix of indoor and outdoor
attractions set in seven acres makes a great family day out whatever the
weather. The park offers a day of fun and amazement bringing you face to
face with penguins, seals, sharks, otters and so much more. New
Turtle Sanctuary. |
Mapperton
Gardens.
A
romantic valley garden deep into a lost Dorset combe among tumbling
hills and unspoilt countryside. The gardens descend from the great lawn,
through the formal topiary down to the valley garden. The manor house
with its church, stable block, coach house, dovecote and courtyard is
essentially a part of its countryside, a glorious harmony of golden
sandstone. Pevsner's Dorset guide reckons "there can hardly be a
more enchanting manorial group than Mapperton." The house, Elizabethan in origin, enlarged in the late 1670s, is a
marvellous example of
a West Country manor that fits in with its surroundings and almost grows
with them. Now
the home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Mapperton continues to be
a
family
house and harks back to the restoration of Charles II when the first
Earl of Sandwich
brought
the King back from Holland.
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Athelhampton
House One of the finest 15th Century Houses in
England. This Dorset attraction has an abundance of history both
architectural and cultural.
Thomas Hardy's father, a builder, was involved in restoration works to
the Great Hall and West Wing roofs in the 19th Century. It was during
these times that Thomas Hardy himself first visited Athelhampton. |
| Canontiegn
Falls Found
in Teign Valley, Dartmoor, Canonteign Falls is home to England's highest
waterfall. As well as stunning waterfalls and scenery, this
attraction boasts a wetland nature reserve, children's play area, fern
centre, lakeside cafe and more! |
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