Dorset - Enjoy Rural Dorset Holiday Brochure


Dorset holiday Brochure
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Dorset - Enjoy Rural Dorset Holiday Brochure

Bordering three counties and an easy drive from the World Heritage Coast, the New Forest, the south coast resorts of Bournemouth and Poole, and heritage cities of Bath and Salisbury, Rural Dorset is ideally situated for a perfect holiday or short break.

A few miles to the south lie the lively resorts of Bournemouth and Poole and the charming Priory town of Christchurch, whilst to the east the region borders the picturesque New Forest, with its traditional woodland, heathland and ponies.

England's first Natural World Heritage site, the magnificent Dorset and East Devon Coast, is several miles to the south. Rural Dorset also borders Somerset and Wiltshire, and Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury are all an easy drive away across dramatic Salisbury Plain or the gentle Somerset Levels.

History surrounds you in Rural Dorset, where many traces remain from ancient times: mystical barrows, impressive Iron Age hillforts, ancient routes such as the Dorset Cursus, and more, all explored over 100 years ago by General Pitt Rivers, the father of modern archaeology, who lived locally at the Larmer Tree Estate.

Rural Dorset is an area of scenic beauty and contrast, criss-crossed by the pretty River Stour and bordered on both sides by Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Along the Wiltshire borders lie the rolling downlands of the Cranborne Chase, formerly a royal hunting ground and now a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering high chalkland views, many wild flowers, birds and butterflies.

Located on the banks of the River Stour, Blandford Forum is unique in Dorset for its uniform Georgian architecture, particularly its stunning marketplace and parish church.

The home of Hall and Woodhouse `Badger` ales and the Royal Signals, and host to the annual Great Dorset Steam Fair, today the town is a picturesque and buzzing local centre, with four museums and a wide choice of local shops.

The pretty, greensand, hilltop town of Shaftesbury lies nestled around its Saxon Benedictine Abbey, at its peak the largest woman`s religious community in England. Today the Abbey offers a Museum and serene Anglo-Saxon garden around the Abbey Church remains, with glorious views south.

Shaftesbury is an idyllic small town, offering centuries of history, stunning views over three counties and a range of rare, old-fashioned stores, regular book and flea markets, gift shops, arts and crafts, two museums and of course famous Gold Hill.

Set in the picturesque water meadows of the rivers Stour and Allen, Wimborne Minster welcomes visitors with a wonderful display of flowers as worthy Silver Gilt winners of Britain in Bloom 2004, and the town`s streets come alive with music and dancers during the annual Folk Festival in June.
Order your free Dorset holiday Brochure now!



County: Dorset

Website: http://www.ruraldorset.com



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