Julie's Guidebook
Food scene
Popular and has a good atmosphere. Lovely patio eating area and garden.
Fun!
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The Beckford Arms
Popular and has a good atmosphere. Lovely patio eating area and garden.
Fun!
New management team taken over recently- opening hours are extended. Still pricey but only 5 mins away and very welcoming, especially dirty paws and muddy boots!
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The Forester Inn
Lower StreetNew management team taken over recently- opening hours are extended. Still pricey but only 5 mins away and very welcoming, especially dirty paws and muddy boots!
Great position on Semley village green. Has undercover area and dog friendly. A good place to stop for a drink!
The Benett Arms
Great position on Semley village green. Has undercover area and dog friendly. A good place to stop for a drink!
A trendy sort of place- good food and popular. Nice drive across Cranbourne Chase to get there.
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The Museum Inn
A trendy sort of place- good food and popular. Nice drive across Cranbourne Chase to get there.
This pub is in the pretty village of Berwick St John along the Chalke Valley. About 8 mins away from Little Coombe. Pretty garden and local beers. Dogs allowed in Tap Room.
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The Talbot Inn
Selwood StreetThis pub is in the pretty village of Berwick St John along the Chalke Valley. About 8 mins away from Little Coombe. Pretty garden and local beers. Dogs allowed in Tap Room.
If you love botanical gardens and want a lovely lunch or tea this is a good place to visit. They do open air cinema nights.
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Keyneston Mill, Home of Parterre Fragrances
Keyneston MillIf you love botanical gardens and want a lovely lunch or tea this is a good place to visit. They do open air cinema nights.
Pretty location and ye olde pub. Good Sunday lunches. Further along Chalke Valley. Pub garden.
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Horseshoe Inn
The CrossPretty location and ye olde pub. Good Sunday lunches. Further along Chalke Valley. Pub garden.
A popular pub with lovely tiered garden. Expensive. Worth people watching you may see Guy Ritchie and pals!!
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King John Inn
A popular pub with lovely tiered garden. Expensive. Worth people watching you may see Guy Ritchie and pals!!
Fantastic views from outside the pub where they put tables. Nice drive up to pub. Good pub grub!
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The Fox and Hounds
The GreenFantastic views from outside the pub where they put tables. Nice drive up to pub. Good pub grub!
Fab views from rear of this Shaftesbury pub. Nice terrace. Can get very busy.
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Mitre
23 High StFab views from rear of this Shaftesbury pub. Nice terrace. Can get very busy.
Hotel at top of High Street in Shaftesbury. Ideal for coffee stop, lunch, cocktails, dinner in the bar or restaurant. Sofas and fire in the bar area make for relaxed atmosphere. Pizza oven!
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The Grosvenor Arms
High StreetHotel at top of High Street in Shaftesbury. Ideal for coffee stop, lunch, cocktails, dinner in the bar or restaurant. Sofas and fire in the bar area make for relaxed atmosphere. Pizza oven!
Recommended in The Times!!! This is on A30 towards Salisbury… down some country lanes in Chicksgrove to a typical country pub with cosy alcoves and good food. Lovely fire and a sense of tranquility!
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The Compasses Inn
Recommended in The Times!!! This is on A30 towards Salisbury… down some country lanes in Chicksgrove to a typical country pub with cosy alcoves and good food. Lovely fire and a sense of tranquility!
Worth a trip to enjoy a lunch or afternoon tea. Lovely location and most ingredients grown within walled garden.
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Pythouse Kitchen Garden
Worth a trip to enjoy a lunch or afternoon tea. Lovely location and most ingredients grown within walled garden.
Another great place for lunch or afternoon tea. Close by and popular. Buy some goodies for the table or take home as the deli is yummy!
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Compton McRae
Another great place for lunch or afternoon tea. Close by and popular. Buy some goodies for the table or take home as the deli is yummy!
Fab location at the top of Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. A perfect spot to have lunch , coffee or tea. Photo opportunities here!!!
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The Salt Cellar
2-4 Gold HillFab location at the top of Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. A perfect spot to have lunch , coffee or tea. Photo opportunities here!!!
Great cafe and lots of lovely food to buy! Deli and large frozen section to save you cooking from scratch!
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The Udder Farm Shop
Front StreetGreat cafe and lots of lovely food to buy! Deli and large frozen section to save you cooking from scratch!
James May has recently taken over this village pub. The reviews are good, setting is lovely and there’s a good sized garden. You might even see the man himself!!
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The Royal Oak
James May has recently taken over this village pub. The reviews are good, setting is lovely and there’s a good sized garden. You might even see the man himself!!
This creative space has recently reopened its cafe/ restaurant. Becoming very popular so worth checking the web site. Fun place and the barn is stunning!
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Messums Wiltshire
Court StreetThis creative space has recently reopened its cafe/ restaurant. Becoming very popular so worth checking the web site. Fun place and the barn is stunning!
Chutney's
28 Salisbury StGreat food here. Takeaways available! Street parking.
The Grosvenor Arms in Hindon- not to be confused with Shaftesbury’s Grosvenor hotel! Pretty village , may need to park in the street. Great outdoor space, popular and good food.
The Grosvenor Arms
The Grosvenor Arms in Hindon- not to be confused with Shaftesbury’s Grosvenor hotel! Pretty village , may need to park in the street. Great outdoor space, popular and good food.
The Lamb
High StreetHindon is a pretty village with two good pubs.
Sightseeing
Wonderful viewport as the highest point in the Cranbourne Chase, Wiltshire at 277 metres !!! Can see The Needles on the Isle of Weight on a clear day!!! Run around the trees three times and make a wish…
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Win Green
Wonderful viewport as the highest point in the Cranbourne Chase, Wiltshire at 277 metres !!! Can see The Needles on the Isle of Weight on a clear day!!! Run around the trees three times and make a wish…
Fontmell Down Nature Reserve
Spread Eagle HillMore wonderful views and excellent walks.
Duncliffe wood
Beautiful woods and magnificent bluebells!
Well it’s iconic!
Shaftesbury is a Saxon hill top town, nice high street. Good independent coffee shops and places to eat, shop and visit.
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Gold Hill
Gold HillWell it’s iconic!
Shaftesbury is a Saxon hill top town, nice high street. Good independent coffee shops and places to eat, shop and visit.
Lovely walks through woods and open parkland towards the Golf course. The club house has a restaurant.
Rushmore Park
Lovely walks through woods and open parkland towards the Golf course. The club house has a restaurant.
Another nearby place to visit taking in fabulous views on route.
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Larmer Tree Gardens
Another nearby place to visit taking in fabulous views on route.
A great picnic spot and when it’s really hot a lovely peaceful place to sit under huge trees and relax away the afternoon! Just been recommended in The Times for its wooded 5 mile circular walk through “ dappled perfection” !!
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Alte Wardour Burg
A great picnic spot and when it’s really hot a lovely peaceful place to sit under huge trees and relax away the afternoon! Just been recommended in The Times for its wooded 5 mile circular walk through “ dappled perfection” !!
Stourhead
Well worth a visit ...this now very popular and well known eatery, art gallery with splendidly designed gardens.
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Hauser & Wirth Somerset
Dropping LaneWell worth a visit ...this now very popular and well known eatery, art gallery with splendidly designed gardens.
If you like art this is another place worth a visit and so close!
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Messums Wiltshire
Court StreetIf you like art this is another place worth a visit and so close!
Just been taken over by Guy Ritchie and revamped. Events now happening such as Spitfire fly ins etc. Check the website.
Great for views, food looks good and it’s a popular stop off!
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Compton Abbas Airfield
Just been taken over by Guy Ritchie and revamped. Events now happening such as Spitfire fly ins etc. Check the website.
Great for views, food looks good and it’s a popular stop off!
This World Heritage Site stretches from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. It’s approximately 96 miles! Have a Google and see what’s offer! Lots to see…
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Jurassic Coast
This World Heritage Site stretches from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. It’s approximately 96 miles! Have a Google and see what’s offer! Lots to see…
Sheltered rocky bay with rock pools and safe snorkelling, part of the Jurassic coast. Located within marine Special Area of Conservation.
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Kimmeridge Bay
Sheltered rocky bay with rock pools and safe snorkelling, part of the Jurassic coast. Located within marine Special Area of Conservation.
Poole and the beaches of Sandbanks and Studland are about an hour away.
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Studland Bay
Poole and the beaches of Sandbanks and Studland are about an hour away.
What can I say? Close by( 45 mins max) gorgeous views, fab houses dogs allowed on the best bit!! Chain link ferry to Studland… what’s not to like?
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Sandbanks Beach
Banks RoadWhat can I say? Close by( 45 mins max) gorgeous views, fab houses dogs allowed on the best bit!! Chain link ferry to Studland… what’s not to like?
Take a trip from Sandbanks on the ferry. Watch out for red squirrels.
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Brownsea Island Ferries - Sandbanks Kiosk
1 Ferry WayTake a trip from Sandbanks on the ferry. Watch out for red squirrels.
This is a lovely off the beaten track gem of a place. Dogs allowed all year and fab walk over the cliffs towards Osmington village and The Smugglers Inn waiting for you perched on the cliff top with stunning views towards Portland.
Parking is in fields near the cafe and toilets for a flat fee - feels like it hasn’t changed from the 1950’s !!! In a good way!
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Ringstead Bay
This is a lovely off the beaten track gem of a place. Dogs allowed all year and fab walk over the cliffs towards Osmington village and The Smugglers Inn waiting for you perched on the cliff top with stunning views towards Portland.
Parking is in fields near the cafe and toilets for a flat fee - feels like it hasn’t changed from the 1950’s !!! In a good way!
Gorgeous place! Can get busy though! Excellent fish and chips!
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Lulworth Cove
Gorgeous place! Can get busy though! Excellent fish and chips!
Worbarrow Bay
Google this place- a deserted village evacuated in WW11 in 1943 with grassy parking a- plenty( good for picnics ) and about a mile walk to Worbarrow Bay that’s never really busy. Check it’s open as on Lulworth Range and may be closed. Fascinating and ghost like!
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Tyneham Dorf
Google this place- a deserted village evacuated in WW11 in 1943 with grassy parking a- plenty( good for picnics ) and about a mile walk to Worbarrow Bay that’s never really busy. Check it’s open as on Lulworth Range and may be closed. Fascinating and ghost like!
Historic and charming village, very pretty and gorgeous scenery around.
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Abbotsbury
Historic and charming village, very pretty and gorgeous scenery around.
Set in 20 acres of woodland valley, has unique micro climate so many rare species to be seen. Right by Chesil beach and close to village of Abbotsbury. Dogs on leads!
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Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Bullers WaySet in 20 acres of woodland valley, has unique micro climate so many rare species to be seen. Right by Chesil beach and close to village of Abbotsbury. Dogs on leads!
Occupies a small stretch of the renowned Chesil Beach between Abbotsbury and Burton Bradstock. Dogs all year round. Usually quiet, quite remote. Amazing murmurations at dusk if you’re lucky! Could always pop to The Hive Beach cafe at Burton Bradstock for something to eat and use the toilets!!!!
Cogden Beach NT Carpark
B3157Occupies a small stretch of the renowned Chesil Beach between Abbotsbury and Burton Bradstock. Dogs all year round. Usually quiet, quite remote. Amazing murmurations at dusk if you’re lucky! Could always pop to The Hive Beach cafe at Burton Bradstock for something to eat and use the toilets!!!!
Nature reserve as part of Christchurch harbour. Nice walks and a land train will take you from cafe to the end of the spit. ( 10 mins) dogs allowed!!!
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Hengistbury Head
Nature reserve as part of Christchurch harbour. Nice walks and a land train will take you from cafe to the end of the spit. ( 10 mins) dogs allowed!!!
Nice city! Cathedral well worth visit and the grounds are lovely for a picnic!
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Salisbury
Nice city! Cathedral well worth visit and the grounds are lovely for a picnic!
Bath
Approximately an hour away! So much to do here...
Sherborne
Half an hour away - castle, abbey, nice high street, pretty!
Stonehenge
Located off A303 about 40 minutes away.
About a 50 minutes drive away - people watch and chill out! The tor has wonderful views all round and the Chalice Well houses the sacred magic waters which you can drink from. There is also a garden there where you can relax, contemplate and paddle in a small pool!
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Glastonbury
About a 50 minutes drive away - people watch and chill out! The tor has wonderful views all round and the Chalice Well houses the sacred magic waters which you can drink from. There is also a garden there where you can relax, contemplate and paddle in a small pool!
Great place for lunch and suppers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Sharing platters are fun! Wine tours available. Dogs welcome and outside seating. Friendly welcome. Spacious seating and shop for local products.
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Breezy Ridge Vineyard
Buddens LaneGreat place for lunch and suppers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Sharing platters are fun! Wine tours available. Dogs welcome and outside seating. Friendly welcome. Spacious seating and shop for local products.
Spa
Guests have enjoyed the pools and pampering here. Worth a look for a treat? About 30 mins away.
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Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa
Boreham RoadGuests have enjoyed the pools and pampering here. Worth a look for a treat? About 30 mins away.
Found at Centre Parcs. Approx 35 mins away. Maybe visit Longleat too?
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Aqua Sana Spa Wiltshire
Found at Centre Parcs. Approx 35 mins away. Maybe visit Longleat too?
Food shop:
Great local stores, a mini Fortnum’s!! Parking off road by entrance can get congested at peak times. Worth popping in!
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Ludwell Post Office & Stores
Great local stores, a mini Fortnum’s!! Parking off road by entrance can get congested at peak times. Worth popping in!
Local butcher who has just won Champion of Champions best sausage in the UK and Ireland. Traditional pork and sage… take some home for the freezer!!!
T Buttling Family Butcher
Local butcher who has just won Champion of Champions best sausage in the UK and Ireland. Traditional pork and sage… take some home for the freezer!!!
Located centrally and easy access to High Street in Shaftesbury. Free 2 hour parking.
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Tesco Superstore
Christy's LaneLocated centrally and easy access to High Street in Shaftesbury. Free 2 hour parking.
Lidl
Christy's LaneRecent addition to the town. Located behind Tesco.
Morrisons Daily Shaftesbury
Bell StreetRecently opened and offering essentials with local produce too. Parking.
Tisbury is a nice little town close by. Near to Wardour castle and Pyt House. High street has many individual shops… coffee shop, fishmongers, deli, gift/ crafts etc.
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Tisbury Delicatessen
High StreetTisbury is a nice little town close by. Near to Wardour castle and Pyt House. High street has many individual shops… coffee shop, fishmongers, deli, gift/ crafts etc.