We have some stunning views across Rural Dorset and are located next to many footpaths and local beauty spots. Just 40 mins from Dorset’s famous Jurassic coastline and surrounded by traditional Dorset villages and historic towns such as The Abbey town of Sherborne, Sturminster Newton with its traditional flour mill set on the banks of The River Stour and Shaftesbury, famed for its Art and folk scene and of course, their Cobble Stoned Gold Hill.
Below is a list of just a few of what North Dorset has to offer.
Stuminster Newton (5 miles/10 mins)
An attractive old market town set along the river stour. Here you will find a few shops, pubs and cafes, a small museum and a traditional working flour mill.
Sherborne (8 miles/15 mins)
A beautiful ancient market town famous for its historic buildings including Sherborne Abbey, the well renowned Sherborne Boys' School and two castles. Many of the medieval and Georgian buildings are built from distinctive ochre-coloured ham stone and contain a wealth of independent shops, cafes and pubs.
Shaftesbury (13 miles/25 mins)
An arty hilltop town with stunning views across Dorset and Wiltshire, Shaftesbury boasts the ruins of a Saxon Abbey. Their ancient cobbled “Gold Hill” was made famous by the much loved “Hovis” advert and there is of course lots of shops and places to eat.
Dorchester (16 miles/25 mins)
Our county town of Dorchester has a wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants and several museums including The Dorset County Museum, The Dinosaur Museum, The Tutankhamun Exhibition and The Teddy bear Museum. Also Max Gate and nearby Hardy’s Cottage, two past residence of famous poet and author, Thomas Hardy.
Weymouth (24 miles/40 mins)
A traditional seaside town with picturesque harbour and a long sandy beach. Weymouth hosted the sailing at the 2012 summer Olympics and has plenty of shops and places to eat.
Beauty spots and places to walk
There are many walks and footpaths to be found in Kings Stag, the surrounding villages and slightly further afield but below is just a few of our favourites.
Bullbarrow Hill (7 miles/15 mins) - A 274 metre hill with access to walks or simply park up and enjoy the stunning views across Dorset and the surrounding counties.
Hambledon Hill (10 miles/20 mins)- a 190 metres high iron age hill fort rising steeply above the Blackmore Vale. Hambledon hill of is a Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve. Protected by The National Trust, 28 species of butterfly have been recorded here, including Adonis blue, chalk-hill blue and dark green fritillary. Accessed via a footpath from Child Okeford.
Maiden Castle (18 miles/35 mins)- The size of 50 football pitches, Maiden Castle is one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe with panoramic views of Dorset and neighbouring counties.
Hardy’s Monument (21 miles/35 mins) -A 72 foot high monument on the summit of Black Down Hill. The monument was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. The site has access to walks and far reaching views.
Hardy’s Cottage (18 miles/30 mins) - The birth place of famous author Thomas Hardy located on the edge of Thorncombe Wood, an ancient woodland and local nature reserve.
Stonehenge (38 miles/1 hour)- A mysterious prehistoric stone circle and one of the wonders of the world.
Beaches
Weymouth (25 miles)- Traditional seaside town with long sandy beach and host to the sailing competitions in the 2012 Olympic games.
Osmington (25 miles)- Good for coastal walks and a lovely dog friendly pub.
Ringstead Bay (26 miles)- Long stretched beach of sand and shingle, good for coastal walks and with easy access from beach car park. (National Trust members who don’t mind a longer walk to the beach can take advantage of free parking at an alternative car park further along the road- This spot has breath-taking views for picnics and kite flying.)
Durdle Door and Man 'O' War (29 miles) - Beautiful adjoining sand and shingle beaches, Famed for its natural limestone arch and crystal blue waters. Great for coastal walks which link to Lulworth Cove.
Lulworth Cove (30 miles)- Famous natural horseshoe shaped cove and world heritage site and scattered with little boats. Lulworth Cove is set in a picturesque village with museum, shops and places to eat.
Studland Bay (34 miles) - Part of a National Trust nature reserve, Studland Bay is an area and vast sandy beach and heathland.
West Bay (32 miles)- A large sloping shingle beach backed by beautiful golden sandstone cliffs. West Bay is set in a quirky little town good for fish and chips, fresh fish and crabbing off the harbour wall.
Chesil Beach (28 miles) - A fossil hunters paradise, Chesil is a vast shingle beach which also welcomes Anglers.
Historic places of interest, gardens and museums
Sherborne Old Castle (8 miles)
Sherborne New Castle and gardens (8 miles)
Sherborne Abbey (8 miles)
Sherborne Museum (8 miles)
Dorset County Museum (16 miles)
The Tutankhamun Museum (16 miles)
Dorset Teddy bear Museum (16 miles)
The Dinosaur Museum (16 miles)
The Tank Museum (20 miles)
Kingston Lacy House and Gardens (20 miles)
Abbotsbury Swannery (25 miles)
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (25 miles)
Lulworth Castle (27 miles)
Other attractions
Monkey World Ape and Rescue Centre (20 miles)
Farmer Palmers Farm Park ( 23 miles)
Sandworld (24 miles)
Sea Life Centre Weymouth (25 miles)
Splash Down waterpark (29 miles)