Days out in Dorset
Getting out and about during your stay at Luccombe Farm
The county of Dorset is a playground for visitors looking to enjoy beautiful unspoilt countryside trails, glorious sandy beaches and spectacular coastal paths and there is so much more besides… fun family attractions, a rich tapestry of history and picturesque time honoured villages and hamlets to explore.
Luccombe Farm is centrally located in Dorset making it an ideal base from which to enjoy the myriad of attractions the county has to offer.
Dorset beaches
Just a 30 minute drive will take you to West Dorset’s stretch of Jurassic Coast. 185 million years in the making, it’s England’s only World Heritage Natural Site renowned for fossil hunting, exceptional beaches and coastal paths that sit atop towering cliffs.
We are so lucky to be close to so many of England’s coastal beauty spots, why go abroad when you have the beaches of Dorset right here on your doorstep?
With a 100 miles of coastline, everyone has their favourite Dorset beach. Most are family-friendly, so your children will have a ball, building sandcastles, hunting for fossils, frolicking in the gentle waves, eating ice cream on the pier or simply relaxing and enjoying the incredible scenery.
If you are planning a trip to the beach check out this handy guide which provides high & low tide times, fishing times, surf reports as well as weather forecasts.
Here are a few of our favourite Dorset beaches within 45 minutes drive of the farm:
Durdle Door
35 minutes
Beautiful turquoise waters and an iconic natural arch monument make for a memorable trip to Durdle Door Beach. The sand and shingle beach is great for fossil hunting and the crystal waters are very inviting, however there is no lifeguard so you need to keep an eye on children in the water.
Lulworth Cove
35 minutes
Just a few minutes walk from Durdle Door is pretty Lulworth Cove. This is a great spot for little marine enthusiasts, as the low tide reveals a series of rock pools which overflow with sea life.
Studland Bay
40 minutes
A gorgeous four mile stretch of golden sand backed by heathland on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck. The beach gently shelves away and the water is ideal for bathing. It’s also a popular beach for water sports, such as kayaking, kite surfing and diving.
Chesil Beach & Chesil Cove
40 minutes
This sweeping natural shingle beach stretches for 18 miles along the coastline joining the towns of Weymouth and Abbotsbury.
It’s actually a barrier beach separated from the Dorset coast by the Fleet Lagoon. It’s said to hold over 180 billion pebbles. How many will you be able to count on a day trip to the Jurassic Coast!
At the southern end of Chesil beach is beautiful Chesil Cove where the waters are shallow and calm. It’s a popular sport for scuba divers as there are shipwrecks lying offshore. Shiver me timbers!
Kimmeridge Bay
40 minutes
Another rock pool favourite is Kimmeridge Bay in Wareham. In fact it’s renowned as the best spot for rock pooling and safest snorkelling in Dorset. The Wild Seas Centre next to the slipway is a great place to learn more about this marine Special Area of Conversation.
Bournemouth Beach
45 minutes
Bournemouth Beach (Pier) is a firm family favourite. A grand expanse of gold sand coupled with the sparkling town of Bournemouth in the background. It can get busy during the summer, but head away from the centre of town and you’ll find stretches that are less crowded.
Dorset for Kids
If you are visiting Dorset with children there are so many family-friendly activities to choose from.
Fantastic indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, even grown ups will have the best day out.
However, parents beware: let them plan your schedule and you’ll never get a chance to relax!
Here are some of guests’ favourite family-friendly activities in Dorset.
Dorset Adventure Park
31 minutes
A thrilling day out for the whole family at Corfe Castle, Dorset Adventure Park features two obstacle courses – get wet or get muddy, which will you choose?
The water park section is the ultimate splashing day out with an inflatable obstacle water course set over two lakes and with beautiful Corfe Castle as the backdrop. If you prefer to get down and dirty, you’ll love The Mud Trail, a 2km mud trail and obstacle course!
Monkey World
21 minutes
You can’t help but fall in love with the primates at the Monkey World rescue centre in Wareham. The 65 acre sanctuary is home to over 250 primates of 20 different species. Will you adopt one before you head home?
Milton Abbas Murder Mystery Trail
5 minutes
Two hours of fun for the whole family and just a five minute drive from Luccombe Farm. The Milton Abbas and Abbey Murder Mystery Trail is a great way to explore the village, renowned Milton Abbey School and a millennium of history at Milton Abbey. Pick up clues along the 2.8 mile trail and work out whodunnit!
Snowtrax Alpine Centre
43 minutes
Who needs snow when you have Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre? It doesn’t matter what time of the year, you can enjoy a day out improving your snowboarding and skiing techniques or zooming down the high-speed sledging and tubing runs.
And while you relax after a skiing session, your children can continue the fun at the Alpine Adventure Park with its zip wire, pirate ship, trampolines, alpine fort and so much more.
Outdoor adventure
Child-friendly walks, fishing, cycling, kayaking, foraging … Dorset has so much to offer for visitors who love the great outdoors.
Luccombe Farm alone is set in 650 acres of beautiful countryside and woodland, where you can step out to easy walking and cycling trails, and further afield there is so much to explore.
Staying close to home is the Milton abbas and Chalk Downs – Dorset Pedal cycling and walking route. Enjoy quintessential Dorset Downs countryside with this 17 miles long route, which takes you through the Piddle Valley, past cherry orchards – stopping on the way for a glass of cherry juice from local producers, and finally reaching the award-wine wine producer, Langham Estate.
Head to the Jurassic Coast for spectacular coastal scenery. The 95 mile South West Coast Path winds around the coastline with a myriad of interconnecting bridleways and footpaths criss-crossing the main route. This is a favourite walking destination with hikers and walkers of all levels who come from all over the UK and world to walk the South West Coast Path.
If you prefer two wheels over two feet, cycling is a great way to explore the Jurassic coast’s towns and villages which are connected by Route 2 of the National Cycle Network, plus there are hundreds of bridleways which will take you off the beaten track.
Sitting in the middle of Poole Harbour is the wildlife sanctuary of Brownsea Island. Catch the ferry over for a perfect day out for little nature enthusiasts. Explore the island’s natural habitat, spy on red squirrels who have made Brownsea Island their home, and an array of bird species.
There is so much to do and enjoy here, especially for children who love getting out into nature, they created a ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4 list’!
The fabulous Dorset coastline is ideal for the ultimate in water sports recreation. From kitesurfing, kayaking and jet skiing. To a relaxing boat cruise, diving or the thrilling coasteering.
Check out more ideas in our Activities Guide.
Dorset towns and villages
Thatched cottages, winding lanes, quaint tea rooms and a traditional village pub where you’ll find the warmest welcome. Welcome to the wonderful county of Dorset.
There are so many picture perfect villages and historic towns in Dorset. Far too many to visit in just one stay, so here are some of our favourites to pick from.
Milton Abbas
5 minutes
Our very own Milton Abbas is a noteworthy picturesque village with a 15th century abbey. The white thatched cottages stand on parade along the main thoroughfare and if you’re staying in July you can catch the 18th Century Street Fair, which recreates a traditional country fair every two years.
Abbotsbury
37 minutes
Situated on the Jurassic Coast, Abbotsbury is a pretty thatched village; home to the Abbotsbury Swannery, a wonderful sanctuary for 600 mute swans. Climb up to St Catherine’s Chapel for magnificent views to Chesil Beach and the coastline.
Blandford Forum
15 minutes
Set on the banks of the River Stour is the market town of Blandford Forum notable for its beautiful Georgian architecture and attractive central market place. It’s a great place to shop and dine, and has several cultural attractions, such as the Blandford Fashion Museum, Kingston Lacey Stately Home and the Great Dorset Steam Fair that takes place in August.
Corfe Castle
31 minutes
This historic village is perched on a hill between the Purbeck Ridge nestled beneath the ruins of the castle. Combine a day out to Dorset Adventure Park with a visit to Corfe Castle.
Wareham
24 minutes
The historic market town of Wareham lies on the banks of the River Frome. It’s one of the few remaining Saxon walled towns in the UK and boasts a history dating back over 2000 years. Take a walk around the Wareham Walls to learn more, and then visit the town’s charming shops and delicious eateries.
Cerne Abbas
29 minutes
A visit to the picturesque village of Cerne Abbas isn’t complete without also taking in the incredible Cerne Giant – a 180 foot ancient chalk figure carved into the hillside above the village.
Check out more towns and village visits in our Guide
One for the grown ups
Did you know that Dorset is home to some of the finest breweries and vineyards in the UK?
The county’s soil is largely composed of flint, chalk and clay, which is very similar to the Champagne region of France, and therefore Dorset produces delicious English sparkling wine.
A vineyard tour is a great way for novices and wine aficionados to learn about the different grape varieties and methods used. And of course you get to sample the wine during the tour!
Just 11 minutes from Luccombe Farm is the renowned Langham Wine Estate which produces terroir-driven sparkling wine produced from their own grapes. The estate offers self-guided or guided tours with tastings.
Here is a great article if you want recommendations on further Dorset vineyard visits during your stay.
If craft beer is your beverage of choice we highly recommend a visit to the Hall & Woodhouse Brewery in Blandford Forum (16 minutes). The brewery was founded in 1777 in Ansty and today is at the forefront of the brewing industry.
Their diverse range of craft beers are World Beer Award winners and during a tour of their brewery you’ll get to learn about the history, the production and of course enjoy a tasting!
Book your Hall and Woodhouse Brewery tour.
Stately Homes and Gardens
Dorset is a down-to-earth county with a rather stately reputation.
Home to some of the country’s most fetching manors, castles and abbeys, if you are looking for culture then you won’t be disappointed!
Kingston Lacy
21 minutes
Kingston Lacy is an elegant country mansion fashioned on a regal Venetian Palace and is set in beautiful gardens and parkland.
Athelhampton House
16 minutes
Athelhampton House dates back to 1485 when the impressive manor house was built for Sir William Martyn. It’s been through a few updates since then and today it’s one of England’s finest examples of a Tudor manor house sitting in gorgeous Elizabethan-style gardens.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
38 minutes
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is a Chelsea Garden Show award-winning Victorian walled garden set in 20 acres of woodland. Renowned as one of the finest examples of it’s kind in the world, the gardens are home to many rare and exotic species, an Alice in Wonderland Sculpture Trail, children’s adventure play area and a Colonial-style teahouse.
Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens
20 minutes
Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens is a great day out for the whole family. Combine a stroll around the peaceful gardens with feeding time for the alpacas, Shetland ponies, pigs and other residents of Kingston Maurward Animal Park!
Check out more in our Guide to Stately Homes & Gardens in Dorset
There is so much to see and do during your stay in Dorset.
Don’t forget we have lots of information available in our games room at Luccombe Farm and we are on hand to offer our recommendations on places to visit and attractions in Dorset.