The Stables
19656 miles E of Dorchester / Sleeps 2 + cot*
7 Nights from £327 - £710
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)
Once used by smugglers, Ringstead’s shingle beach is set in the Jurassic Coastline and boasts beautiful views. With parking available in the nearby National Trust carpark, there is a fair walk downhill to the beach. Dogs are welcome all year. Make sure you keep an eye out for fossils.
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.
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.
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.
Mrs Evans August 2011
This beautiful place is 100 metres from our cottage (The Stables) - the sculptures are fantastic and you could spend all day there with a cool box and picnic! You can only book via their website (link above).
Moreton Tea Rooms (1 ½ miles)
Situated in the old school at Moreton, stop off for a cream tea or the Sunday carvery. They can't be bad as they won the South West cafe/Tearoom of the Year at the Taste of the West Awards 2010.
Mr Cornish September 2011
Blast form the past
This place serves some serious tea! As well as just being able to get a standard cup of 'builders' you can get a huge range of other more exciting teas. Lovely place to drop in on if you fancy a proper cup of tall poured tea.
Mrs Evans March 2010
Excellent tea rooms close to Lawrence of Arabia's grave and the lovely moreton Church. They have a great bistro on Friday and Saturday nights too.
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
Athelhampton House and Gardens (2 ¼ miles)
The beautifully preserved 15th Century manor house has stunning interiors resplendent with antique furnishings. The famous formal gardens incorporate a series of tranquil, sophisticated spaces, including the great court with its giant pyramids, simple plantings of roses, clematis and tulips, fountains and pools laden with water lillies, a canal and the River Piddle. The 15th Century dovecote still houses white doves. Stop off for some home-cooked refreshment at the Topiary Restaurant. Open March to October.
March 2009
A beautiful place with lots to day - a lovely day out for all!
The gardens were very interesting with fountains, walled gardens, ponds etc. Very well maintained and beautiful whatever the weather. I'm sure this would be a perfect venue for a wedding, which they do cater for. I also found the food in the restaurant of very good quality. Would definitely recommend a visit!
February 2009
A Treasure Trove
A lovely day out. The staff here are very friendly and welcoming, the food is delicious and the house is a real treasure trove, full of beautiful antique furniture and artwork. Not to mention the gardens, where you can spend many a happy hour exploring among the ponds, fountains, walled gardens and fabulous topiary giant pyramids.
February 2009
A charming, quintessentially English garden. With meadows and wide lawns, there are plenty of different styles to enjoy.
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