Kingston Lacy is a 17th century Italian-style country house with formal gardens and parkland. Visitors can view paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Titian, and see one of the UK's largest private collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts. The estate also includes woodland walks, a Japanese garden and Badbury Rings.
Times, prices and access can change. Check before you travel.Last updated 2 Oct 2026.Source (where this listing came from, opens in a new tab)
Open all year
A family-friendly country park and forest offering adventure play trails and tree-top challenges. Visitors can explore 1000 acres of woodland, meadows and lakes on foot or by bike, try adventure golf or a mini Land Rover course, or ride the narrow-gauge steam train. Dogs are welcome, and wheelchair and mobility tramper hire is available.
Open all year
One of Dorset's finest Iron Age hillforts, set in chalk grassland that is home to ground-nesting skylarks, wild orchids and butterflies, with an avenue of beech trees and views across the Dorset countryside. It's free to visit from dawn to dusk, and parking is free for National Trust members. The ground is uneven and steep in places and there are no toilets. Sheep and cattle graze here, and dogs must be on a lead from late February to August.
Open all year
A 64 mile long distance walking route that follows the River Stour from its source at Stourhead down to Christchurch Harbour, where it meets the sea. In Dorset it passes through Sturminster Newton, Wimborne Minster, Ferndown, Bournemouth and Christchurch, and is signposted with a kingfisher logo.
Arts and culture
A talk by micro-artist Graham Short on his career engraving miniature works, including the Lord's Prayer on a pinhead. Held at Wesley Hall, Wimborne, the session mixes craftsmanship stories with anecdotes from working with well-known collectors.
Arts and culture
A talk in Wimborne about engineer Nikola Tesla, presented by Richard Hutley as part of Wimborne U3A's programme. The session explores Tesla's achievements with alternating current and separates fact from later myths about his legacy.