Best Dorset National Trust sites to visit for a fun day out
Whether you're interested in local history or just want to explore a beautiful location, they can offer quite a lot.
If you're planning a day out, these sorts of places can be ideal, whether you're going by yourself or with your family.
Here are five of the best National Trust sites you can visit for a day out in Dorset.
Best National Trust sites to visit in Dorset
Brownsea Island
Located out in Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island is one of Dorset's most famous attractions, which has thriving habitats for people to explore.
It offers spectacular views across the Purbeck Hills, with there being heathland, woodland and a lagoon to find here.
The National Trust website adds: "Free trails help you explore the island, there is a natural play area and fantastic picnic spots, an island adventure waiting for the whole family."
The island is also one of the last locations where you can see red squirrels in the UK.
Kingston Lacy
Kingston Lacy is a "lavish" family home located near Wimborne that has a sprawling estate visitors can explore outside of the main property.
According to its website, the house was built to resemble a Venetian Palace, and it contains plenty of "spectacular artworks".
Overall, there are 8,5000 acres to the estate that can be seen, including a Japanese garden and a Kitchen garden.
Studland Bay
Studland Bay is perfect for a summer day out due to it being a "glorious slice of natural coastline".
It has a four-mile stretch of sandy beach "with gently shelving bathing waters" and views that take in Old Harry Rocks.
It is also great for water sports, and the heathland behind the beach is a haven for native wildlife.
The National Trust website adds: "Designated trails through the sand dunes and woodlands allow for exploration and spotting of deer, insects and bird life as well as a wealth of wild flowers."
Corfe Castle
An ideal family day out can be found in Corfe Castle, where you can learn about its history as a palace and a fortress.
There is plenty to take in with the ruins and views that stretch across Purbeck.
The National Trust website adds: "With fallen walls and secret places, there are tales of treachery and treason around every corner.
"Spot the 'murder holes' and count the arrow loops. Feel history come to life and see the wildlife that has set up home here."
Recommended reading:
Hardy's Cottage
#dorset #visitdorset #thomashardy #hardyscottage #cottagegarden #cottagecoreaesthetic #cottagestyle #england ♬ оригінальний звук - dreamyclips @__beanandbear__ Thomas Hardy's cottage garden 🌼🐝 Hidden in woodland northeast of Higher Brockhampton in Dorset, is the beautiful cob and thatched cottage where the famous novelist was born in 1840. He wrote many of his books (including Far From the Madding Crowd) in the top room, working at a small desk overlooking the garden. Hardy and his family grew vegetables and fruit in their garden, keeping a pig, hens, and bees. When the family moved from the cottage in 1912, Hardy helped the next tenant redesign the plot into the picturesque cottage garden you see today. You can visit this enchanting place until October with the @National Trust, we recommend booking in advance. Wishing you all a lovely Easter Sunday 🌼 #englishcountryside
The birthplace of the author Thomas Hardy can be found near Dorchester, and is an intriguing historical spot.
Hardy wrote some novels, including 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd', here.
Inside, visitors can see open hearths, small windows and stone floors, while the cottage garden is pleasant to experience.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
JMW Turner exhibition to open at Petworth House, West Sussex
An exhibition dedicated to artist JMW Turner and the landscapes that inspired him is set to open in West Sussex on Saturday. Joseph Mallord William Turner, born in London on 23 April 1775, is considered one of the greatest English landscape mark the 250th anniversary of his birth, the largest collection of Turner artworks outside London will be unveiled at Petworth House, where the painter was a frequent visitor between 1827 and Emily Knight, property curator at Petworth House, said: "The exhibition will add to people's understanding of Petworth and show how it played a significant role in his life and career." Dr Knight added: "Turner produced an astonishing body of work at Petworth."From the numerous small sketches to the finished oil paintings, the landscape became an enduring source of inspiration."With more than 20 rarely seen pieces, the National Trust exhibition includes oil paintings and works on paper on loan from Tate and several private lenders. Turner's Vision At Petworth will open from 10:30 BST on Saturday and run until 16 November.
Powys County Times
6 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Machylleth restaurant named among the best in the world
A Powys restaurant that offers a "truly unique" experience for customers has been named among the best in the world. From Sydney to Marrakesh, London to Paris, and everywhere in between, the experts at La Liste have reviewed thousands of restaurants from around the world based on publications, guidebooks and online reviews. As a result, it has established a list of the world's best restaurants, which includes five in Wales. Welsh restaurants among the world's best The restaurants in Wales that have been named among the world's best by La Liste are: Ynyshir (Powys) Annwn (Narberth) The Whitebrook (Monmouth) Sosban and the old Butchers (Menai Bridge) Home by James Sommerin (Penarth) You can see the full list of the world's best restaurants on the La Liste website. The Powys restaurant among the best in the world Ynyshir Address: Ynyshir Restaurant & Rooms, Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth, SY20 8TA La Liste score: 96 Ynyshir is a two-Michelin-star restaurant located in Machynlleth that offeres a "truly unique" experience to all customers, the Michelin Guide explains. It adds: "Head for rural Wales and this matt-black, part-Georgian house with an immersive approach and a mellow soundtrack. "The evening starts early, which gives Chef-Owner Gareth Ward five hours to take diners on a playful culinary journey around the globe. "He has a particular reverence for Japanese cuisine, with sashimi and A5 Wagyu beef likely to appear on the surprise menu of around 30 vibrant, exceptionally skilful servings. "Regional sheepskins and handmade crockery show the team's pride in their Welsh locale, while you can extend your visit in one of the luxurious bedrooms." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ynyshir Restaurant & Rooms (@ynyshirrestaurant) The highly decorated Ynyshir was also named among the UK's best at the National Restaurant Awards earlier this month. It's not just the experts who love Ynyshir, but customers as well, with the Machynlleth-based restaurant boasting a 4.6 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 459 reviews. One guest, talking about their experience on Tripadvisor, said: "Can't wait to go back! "Wow, this restaurant certainly lives up to its reputation had the most amazing time, food was exceptional, DJ played great music throughout the experience and what a lovely man Gareth Ward is who took the time to chat to people.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful Caribbean island with most sunny days and no hurricane season
For an island that is just 20 miles long, Aruba has a lot to offer, from boutique hotels and top-notch restaurants to golden beaches and crystal clear sea – and, according to the tourist board's website, more sunny days than any other Caribbean island, a "practically non-existant" rainy season, and is shielded from tropical storms. The main tourist area, Palm Beach, is the place to stay if you like all the amenities on your doorstep. You'll find every cuisine here, from Japanese to Mexican, and there are watersports huts at frequent intervals along this busy stretch of sand. We preferred neighbouring Eagle Beach, where there are fewer sunbeds competing for a shady spot under a palm tree and where you'll see the occasional red and white fence protecting a turtle nest in the pristine white sand. If you're lucky, you might be there when one of the nests hatches. We also spent time at Arashi Beach in the north and Baby Beach in the south, which are both favourites with the locals as they're away from the hustle and bustle of the big hotels. Take your own sunloungers if you don't want to lie on the sand as hiring them can be pricey. The beaches on the wild Atlantic coast are well worth a visit too. It's too dangerous to swim there, but we were mesmerised watching the huge waves crashing into the shore. Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa is a stylish boutique hotel on Eagle Beach with a laid-back luxury feel. With just 72 rooms and suites, many overlooking the vast stretch of powdery sand in front of the hotel, it never feels crowded. There's a large pool for those who prefer not to swim in the sea, or you can relax beneath one of the palapas (umbrellas made of woven palm leaves) spaced out across the beach. The hotel also provides free sun screen, which is a nice touch. We loved the wellness offering at Manchebo, from the morning yoga classes in the pavilion – with a view of the sea and the sound of birdsong to help you find your inner Zen – to the cosy spa with its treatment rooms that back on to the beach. There's something even more relaxing about a full body massage when it comes with a soundtrack of waves rolling on to the shore. There are also pilates classes – we liked that some of these don't start till 9.30am so you don't have to get up too early – and a small gym, although we have to admit we skipped that in favour of long walks along the shore. After three wonderful nights at Manchebo, we moved to Boardwalk Boutique Hotel for a very different but equally luxe stay. Here, 49 brightly painted casitas (guest houses) nestle among the tropical plants in the gorgeous grounds, which were once a coconut plantation. Our casita was light and spacious, with comfy beds, a walk-in shower and a fully equipped kitchen. We were particularly impressed by the barbecue (and the hammock) on our private verandah. You can order a BBQ Box at reception containing everything you need for an al fresco dinner. The tranquil gardens are home to two pools, shady seating areas and the cosy Coco Bay restaurant, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. The main pool is especially popular from 3-5pm as it's happy hour daily, with discounted cocktails. If you prefer your lunch with a sea view, the hotel offers a free shuttle service to Palm Beach, where it has its own area with sunbeds and palapas, and you can order food and drinks from the friendly staff there. By far the standout meal of our trip was the eight-course chef's table experience at Infini. Our evening kicked off with a glass of fizz on the terrace while watching the sunset, then we were seated at a curved table that gives diners an uninterrupted view of the chefs preparing the dishes. Each course was an explosion of flavours and textures, and the carefully curated wine pairing was the perfect finishing touch. Another highlight was our al fresco dinner at Papiamento, in the beautifully lit courtyard of a 100-year-old Aruban cunucu house. Here, we enjoyed a tour of the house and wine cellar before sitting down to one of the restaurant's signature stone specials – local fish, shrimp and rock lobster served on a sizzling stone so you can cook it to your liking. We also had an exceptional meal at the family-run Peruvian bistro Lima, where we feasted on ceviche and scallops on the outdoor patio with oceanfront views. And at Taste My Aruba, we loved the fresh, local ingredients, the obvious joy owner Nathaly de Mey takes in the menu and the great cocktails that were custom-made for us by her master mixologist. For a cocktail with a difference, head to The West Deck to try its famous beer-rita. It doesn't look like it should work but this unusual take on a margarita, with a bottle of local Balashi beer flowing into it as you drink, is wonderfully crisp and refreshing. As for lunchtimes, Zeerovers is a must-visit. Once a docking area used by fishermen, now locals and tourists alike flock there for its fresh- off-the boat seafood, which is fried and served in a basket. We sat on the sea-facing wooden deck and had the best prawns of our trip here. Top of our list of things to do was the Aruba Outdoor Adventures kayak and snorkelling small group tour at Mangel Halto. Our first surprise was that the kayaks have no oars – you paddle with your feet, which is a lot easier than rowing. We followed our guide along the coast before heading further out to sea and mooring at a platform where the water is shallow enough to stand. Then our snorkelling adventure began and the seabed here is teeming with coral and fish of every colour – it took our breath away. We also snorkelled by ourselves at Tres Trapi Beach, where the three steps carved into the rock provide easy access to the sea. There are hundreds of fish here too, but the real treat is the giant turtles swimming in the clear water. Tres Trapi is a 30-minute walk from the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel – go early to avoid the crowds that arrive with the tour boats. You can't go to Aruba without visiting its national park Arikok. Here, we enjoyed a guided hike through the towering indigenous cacti, explored the bat-inhabited caves and braved a natural fish pedicure in the only freshwater pond on the island – a slightly unnerving but not unpleasant sensation. The park's big draw is its Natural Pool, formed by a depression in the volcanic rock. Sea spray flies over the rugged sea wall as you swim in the naturally formed basin and there's plenty to see underwater, so be sure to bring your snorkel here too. Back on dry land, we loved the street mural tour in the town of San Nicholas. Art enthusiast Tito Bolivar began his mission to transform San Nicholas in 2015, inviting talented muralists from around the world to paint walls, buildings and benches in a bid to breathe new life into the forgotten town. The result is a fascinating exhibition of street art and our passionate guide shared some of the stories behind the murals, explaining how the project has boosted the area and encouraged creativity all over the island. A stylish boutique hotel on Aruba's Eagle Beach with a laid-back luxury feel. KLM flies to Aruba from the UK daily (via Amsterdam). Rooms at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel start from £300 per night. Rooms at Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa start from £300 per night. See for more info on the island (Facebook: Instagram: @arubatourismuk). You can also search for the best flight route and price on Skyscanner.
