The Stables
19656 miles E of Dorchester / Sleeps 2 + cot*
7 Nights from £334
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The Martyrs' Inn (2 miles)
Named after the 19th Century Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of farm labourers who famously rose up against landowners in demand of better pay and working conditions.
Nearest beach
Ringstead Beach (6 ½ miles)
Home to around 700 yards of shingle beach, Ringstead Beach on the Jurassic Coast has plenty of space for everyone to find a quiet corner of their own. For ease, a shop and cafe are located in the car park. The east end of the main beach, which is about a 20 minute walk, is a nudist area. Ringstead is a dog-friendly beach.
Mrs Evans July 2009
Apart from Studland this is our favourite beach spot in West Dorset. Parking is free at top of the hill but it's a longish walk down; you pay to use the toll road down to the car park near the beach.
Nearest walk
The Lawrence of Arabia Trail (3 miles)
This circular walk of just under seven miles takes you away from the coast and along country lanes, through woodland and heathland. Parking is available at the museum but you will be required to visit the museum if you use the car park.
April 2019
Moreton to Clouds Hill
We walked part of the Lawrence of Arabia trail from the church to Clouds Hill. It’s a long straight track, made interesting by the sounds of tanks driving around. The lady at Clouds Hill was very informative giving us lots of areas to discuss on the way back
Nearest town
Moreton (1 ½ miles)
This small village is the unlikely final resting place of Lawrence of Arabia. His grave can be found in the churchyard at St Nicholas' Church, which is itself worth a visit for its unique etched-glass windows. Take a stroll around Moreton Gardens and plant centre, or stop for a cream tea at the Tea Rooms in the old school. Moreton also makes a good start for walks in nearby Moreton Forest and along The Dorset Jubilee Trail, an 80-mile trail stretching from Forde Abbey in the west to Bokerley Dyke in the north east.
Also nearby
Sculpture by the Lake (300 yards)
Visit this beautiful location to view these sculptures which demonstrate and individual artist flair. Set beside these picturesque lakes the sculptures unite with the environment.
Mrs Evans July 2018
This beautiful place is 200 metres from our cottage (The Stables) - the sculptures are fantastic and you could spend all day there with a cool box and picnic! Closed Mondays & Tuesdays April to September and Sundays & Mondays October to March>
Mr Cowley September 2014
We thought the sculptures were absolutely fantastic, and the gardens, wooded areas and lakes in which they were situated added to the wow factor. We hope to visit again.
Monkey World (4 miles)
The whole spectrum from chimpanzees and orangutans to marmosets - most have been rescued and all are incredible. This sanctuary does an amazing job at looking after the animals, yet allowing the public to enjoy them, without making too much of a spectacle. Fascinating, sad, heart-warming and fun - you can't tire of the monkey antics but there are impressive play parks for the kids to imitate the apes, should they so wish.
Mrs Mason August 2015
NOT a zoo-more a monkey rest home!
Had a fantastic day at Monkey World.We were a party of four with ages from 10 to 73 and to be honest the two older ladies didnt expect much.I can honestly say that every one of us thoroughly enjoyed everything about it(not least the wonderful monkeys!)Very well set up for disabled and spotlessly clean everywhere.Food good and not too expensive.All in all a great place to enjoy a day out.
Kay to the Tee December 2013
Wowzers
If you like monkeys, this is the place to go. Initially we were disappointed as on a cold November day, the monkeys were keeping warm inside, plus we thought it was really small. But then we realised we were being silly and discovered the other 90% of park - amazing! It's big, beautiful and all about the monkeys. The monkeys are incredible and the work done at this sanctuary is heartwarming (though the back stories heartbreaking). It is primarily a rescue centre, not an entertainment venue, but there are play parks for the kids, picnic areas and shops. Highly recommended.
May 2011
Great Day Out
Thoroughly recommend Monkey World - its fantastic but avoid busy holiday periods if you really want to study the primates.
Mrs Evans February 2009
Monkey World is a great day out for adults as well as kids! It's a rescue centre for all kinds of apes, so your visit is also doing some good.
Clouds Hill (2 miles)
Now a National Trust property, Clouds Hill was once the Dorset home of Lawrence of Arabia. There is an exhibition detailing Lawrence's extraordinary life and his grave can be found in the churchyard of St Nicholas Church in Moreton. There is also a beautiful new trail through rhododendrons to a delightful picnic spot on top of the hill. House open March to October only.
Mr Smith June 2012
A charming stop - allow 30-45 minutes to visit the cottage.
Mrs Evans November 2010
A great visit, particularly for NT Members. Combine it with a walk around the Lawrence Trail and take in Moreton Church/Tearooms and Lawrence's grave at Moreton
Studland Bay and Nature Reserve (16 miles)
A National Trust nature reserve, this three-mile curve of sand is home to many breeds of rare bird. Voted the UK's 4th top beach by Which? Magazine - though locals would probably place it higher. Studland is also a popular family beach famous for its nudist section at Knoll Bay, the National Trust's only designated naturist beach. With safe shallow waters, sandy beach and a cafe this is a great place for children. National Trust members can park for free.
Mrs Evans July 2009
Gets pretty busy at peak times, but it's a great place all year round - as sandy as the Bournemouth beaches but totally sheltered from the prevailing south westerly breezes. National Trust Membesr park for free. Use the road from Corfe or chain ferry from Sandbanks.
Hardy's Cottage (4 miles)
A classic cottage with real romance; close your eyes and imagine the characters of Far from the Madding Crowd coming to life here.
May 2013
Not open every day - shut when we went but a beautiful thatched cottage and lovely area of Dorset.
Mrs Evans November 2010
Another great visit for NT Members - combine it with visit to Max Gate, Hardy's Dorchester home, and To Cloud's Hill, TE Lawrence's little place near Bovington.
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