West Dorset Attractions

West Dorset is rich in artistic wealth and history.

Performing Arts

The Dorchester Arts Centre, Bridport Arts Centre, Sherborne ArtsLink, Artsreach and the Marine Theatre at Lyme Regis all offer a wide variety of high quality and exciting programmes throughout the year.

You'll find festivals in many towns and villages. Watch out for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra ensemble concerts performing in various venues throughout the region.

Dorchester Arts Centre

Bridport Arts Centre

Marine Theatre

Visual Arts

West Dorset also offers a diverse range of high quality visual arts. Sherborne House, Bridport Arts Centre and the Town Mill, Lyme Regis all exhibit work from local and regional artists. You will also find an abundance of smaller art galleries in many of the major towns. Sladers Yard, an eighteenth century maritime warehouse has recently opened in West Bay as a gallery, traditional wooden boat workshop and organic cafe. Dorset Art Weeks, a biannual event, is the biggest rural open exhibition event in the UK. You'll discover an enormous and diverse range of talent, much of it to the highest standards. Not to be missed!

Historic Houses & Gardens

West Dorset boasts some of the finest gardens and historic houses in the south of England. Take your pick from the Tudor manor house with Grade I architectural gardens of Athelhampton, the unusual Sub Tropical garden of Abbotsbury or the listed English Heritage garden of Kingston Maurward. To the north there is the 16th Century Castle of Sherborne, the 12th Century Forde Abbey or the spectacular valley garden of Mapperton. Not to forget the 17th Century walled garden of the Town Mill at Lyme Regis, the landscaped Rhododendron gardens at Minterne, the superb Tudor castle at Portland and the national collection of water lilies at Bennetts Water Gardens.

Athelhampton House

Mapperton House

Abbotsbury Tourism

Museums

West Dorset has a variety of museums where you can explore the history of Bridport , Beaminster and Lyme Regis. In Dorchester you are spoilt for choice with the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, the Keep Military Museum, the Terracotta Warriors Museum and the Tutankhamun Exhibition. You can visit the Roman Town House or walk out to the imposing hill fort at Maiden Castle. Visit the Dorset County Museum, or discover the thrilling world of dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Museum. If it's rough justice that you are interested in visit the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum or the Old Crown Court and Cells in Dorchester. Further afield is the indoor collection of armoured vehicles at the Tank Museum, the aviation museum at Fleet Air Arm and the Haynes Motor Museum.

Family Attractions

Our fascinating museums and exhibitions are a great place to start, from an exciting look at dinosaurs , to the myths and legends of Ancient Egypt, the Terracotta Warriors and giant teddy bears. Why not visit the animal park at Kingston Maurward and make sure you don't miss out on the chance to see baby swans hatching at Abbotsbury Swannery! You can even visit a world of rescued and endangered apes and monkeys at Monkey World . When it comes to a bit of family adventure try quad biking at Henley Hillbillies or an armoured fighting vehicle at the Tank Museum! If you fancy something at a slower pace, enjoy a scenic tram ride. Why not experience life onboard an aircraft carrier at the Fleet Air Arm Museum or visit the Haynes Motor Museum, which features a children's race circuit!

Kingston Maurward Animal Park

Abbotsbury Swannery

Fleet Air Arm Museum

Haynes Motor Museum

Leisure Activities & Outdoor Adventure

West Dorset is perfect for an outdoor adventure holiday. Try zorbing for an adrenaline surging fix of fun, ride a quad bike at Henley Hillbillies or even an armoured vehicle at the Tank Museum! For an adventure of a different kind enjoy a tour of a traditional thatched brewery or a scenic tram ride. West Dorset's countryside is unrivalled for outdoor pursuits, so enjoy the coastal walks or the bracing sea air along Chesil Beach. For a more unusual way to explore, why not try llama trekking? If you're looking to experience West Dorset's true nature and environment, why not visit the Kingcombe Centre near Dorchester - a residential study centre set beside the River Hooke and surrounded by 450 acres of stunning nature reserve.

The Tank Museum