Local Attractions

Here are some of local attractions you might like to visit during your stay at Smedmore House, the stunning Dorset manor house rental.

Beaches

  • Kimmeridge Bay Famous for swimming, snorkelling, wind surfing – and fossils.
  • Durdle Door One of Dorset’s most iconic landmarks.
  • Dancing Ledge A natural shelf of rock jutting out into the sea with a swimming pool in the rocks.
  • Chapman’s Pool Remote and beautiful small cove on the Isle of Purbeck.
  • Studland Bay 4 Miles of sheltered sandy beaches with good swimming. National Trust.
  • Swanage Lovely old fashioned seaside town with Victorian pier and sandy beach
  • Lulworth Cove Famous for its unique geology and landforms.
  • Weymouth Seaside fun for everyone with a harbour and great beaches.

Attractions Nearby

  • Etches Collection, Museum of Jurassic Marine Life,Fossil museum in the local village of Kimmeridge. Watch their free YouTube channel to see interesting videos
  • Fine Foundation Marine Centre, A marine centre an underwater nature trail for snorkelers on Kimmeridge Bay.
  • Corfe Castle Dramatic ruins of a Norman Castle destroyed during the Civil War.
  • The Model Village Model showing Corfe Castle village before its destruction by Oliver Cromwell.
  • Blue Pool, A pool near Wareham with blue waters caused by light diffracting from minuscule particles of clay suspended in its still depths
  • Wareham Museum Wareham from prehistoric times. Special section on Lawrence of Arabia.
  • Brownsea Island, Island in middle of Poole Harbour famous for red squirrels.
  • Monkey World Ape Rescue Sanctuary near Wareham with over 250 primates from 20 species.
  • Tank Museum, World’s finest collection of tanks at Bovington
  • Farmer Palmers Award winning family run farm park near Wareham. Many activities and animals.
  • Swanage Railway Heritage railway operating full-size steam and diesel passenger trains.
  • Tyneham – Dorset’s Lost Village evacuated in 1943 for troop training and never opened again.
  • Arne Nature Reserve Dramatic open heathland and ancient oak woodland with all 6 native reptiles.
  • Lawrence of Arabia’s Cottage The rural retreat of T. E. Lawrence – much as he left it.
  • Holme Nurseries LocalĀ gardenĀ centre with lovely gardens and a large farm shop.
  • Durlston Castle Victorian castle and pleasure grounds in Swanage.

Further away

Theatre & Arts

websites of Interest

Consider the local community

When visiting our lovely countryside, please consider the local community and follow the Countryside code :

Respect – Protect – Enjoy

Please visit CLA website for more information