Local Attractions

Monkey World (5 miles away)

The Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre near Wool in Dorset is a 65 acre ape and monkey sanctuary which currently houses over 250 primates. The centre works with foreign governments to stop illegal smuggling of wild primates. You may have seen the centre and its apes on TV shows such as Monkey Life, Monkey Business or many other programmes.

For more details, visit the Monkey World website.

Tank Museum (4 miles away)

The Tank Museum at Bovington Camp (about a mile north of Wool) in Dorset is a collection of armoured fighting vehicles, tracing the history of the tank with almost 300 vehicles on exhibition from 26 countries. It is the museum of the Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

For more details, visit the Tank Museum website.

Hardy's Cottage (5 miles away)

Thomas Hardy's Cottage, in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, is a small cob and thatch building that is the birthplace of the English author Thomas Hardy. He was born there in 1840 and lived in the cottage until he was aged 34. During his time at the cottage, Hardy wrote the novels Under the Greenwood Tree (1872) and Far from the Madding Crowd (1874).

Hardy's Cottage is now a National Trust property.

Sculpture by the Lakes (200 yards away)

Nestled in 26 acres of Dorset countryside, Sculpture by the Lakes comprises a great many works by sculptor Simon Gudgeon. Advance online booking is essential and most of the pieces are available to purchase.

For more details, visit the Sculpture by the Lakes website.

Clouds Hill Cottage (2 miles away)

An isolated cottage near Wareham, Clouds Hill is the former home of T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"). He rented the cottage in 1923 while stationed at Bovington Camp and purchased it two years later. After his death at the age of 46 his brother handed it to the National Trust where it is maintained, largely as Lawrence left it, as a museum of his life.

Find out more about Clouds Hill on the National Trust website.

Moreton Church & Lawrence of Arabia's grave (2 miles away)

Along with Clouds Hill you may wish to visit the Church of St Nicholas and St Magnus in Moreton, Dorset – and the village churchyard which is famous for the grave of T. E. Lawrence.

The church itself is well worth visiting: after it was bombed in World War 2, the stained glass was replaced with beautiful engraved glass windows (created by Laurence Whistler), which transform the church inside and out.

Nearby facilities

Nearest shops are at Puddletown and Crossways; and nearby eating places include Morton Tea Rooms, Frampton Arms, Blue Vinney, and Yalbury Cottage.