Athelhampton House & Gardens – 3 miles
One of the finest 15th Century houses in England surrounded by glorious Grade I Listed garden with fountains, pools and waterfalls. More information
Abbotsbury Swannery - 11 miles
Home to up to 600 mute swans. More information
Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens – 10 miles
Twice winner of silver award at Chelsea and silver gilt at Hampton Court Show. Magnificent Victorian walled garden set in 20 acres of woodland valley where the unique micro climate enables rare and exotic species from all over the world to thrive here. Children's adventure play area. Nature trail. More information
Badger Watch – 5 miles
From the hide, enjoy the unique sight of badgers emerging from their setts and foraging for food. The area is floodlit for perfect vision and visits from owls, foxes, rabbits and bats add to the spectacle. More information
The Blue Pool – 21 miles
Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985, the pool changes colour by the minute according to the variations in the weather and the light. More information
Brownsea Island – 20 miles
Cerne Abbas Giant - 5 miles
A huge outline of a giant sculpted into the chalk hillside above the pretty village of Cerne Abbas. More information
Clouds Hill – 14 miles
The rural retreat of T E Lawrence. More information
Corfe Castle – 18 miles
One of the most evocative ruined castles in England with over 1000 years of turbulent history. More information
Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park – 23 miles
One of the top wildlife parks in the South West housing over 600 rare and endangered species. The house was “Grantleigh Manor” in the T V series “To the Manor Born.” More information
Dorchester – 4 miles
County Town of Dorset - large country town with Roman origins, lots of shops, and a market on Wednesday. Georgian buildings off the main streets. Local author and poet Thomas Hardy based the fictional town of Casterbridge on Dorchester. More information
Dorset County Museum – 4 miles
An array of fascinating galleries covering natural science, geology, art, history and literature. Free audio-guide. Roman mosaic flooring, treasures of Maiden Castle, geology, national and local history, Thomas Hardy's study, 20 min film of Roman invasion of Maiden Castle. More information
Golden Cap - 23 miles
Part of the Jurassic coastline and the highest point on the south coast, rich in wildlife and unusual geology. More information
Hardy Monument - 10 miles
Erected in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. More information
The Keep Military Museum – 4 miles
A modern museum housed in a Grade II listed building that tells the stories of those who served in the regiments of the counties of Devon and Dorset for the last 310 years, including the Militia and Volunteers. The Museum has a car park, shop and disabled access. More information
Kingston Lacy – 13 miles
A 17th century house owned by the National Trust with an outstanding collection of paintings. More information
Kingston Maurward – 4 miles
Formal gardens laid out in the Arts and Crafts style of the Edwardian period with a stunning ornamental lake in front of the 18th Century Mansion House. Kingston Maurward has been described as "one of Dorset's best kept secrets!" The Animal Park has a collection of miniature Shetland Ponies, donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs. More information
Lulworth Cove – 12 miles
Part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline and one of the finest examples of such a landform in the world, Lulworth Cove and nearby Durdle Door are popular tourist locations, with over 1 million visitors a year. More information
Lulworth Castle – 12 miles
Built between 1608 and 1610 and host to seven British Monarchs. More information
Maiden Castle – 5 miles
The largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe covering an area of 47 acres. The finest known example of a prehistoric fort in this country, with enormous earthworks and complicated entrances. Free Entrance. More information
Max Gate - 6 miles
The home designed and lived in by the novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy. More information
Mill House Cider Museum - 12 miles
An unusual venue with a collection of clocks, cider museum, shop and nursery. More information
Minterne House and Gardens – 6 miles
Home of the Churchill and Digby families since 1620. Important rhododendron garden with many fine and rare trees, landscaped in 18th century with lakes, cascades and streams. More information
Monkey World – 11 miles
Amongst the woodland of Dorset lays 65 acres of sanctuary for over 150 primates of 15 species. Monkey World works in conjunction with foreign governments from all over the world to stop the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia. More information
Old Crown Court – 4 miles
Experience two hundred years of gruesome crime and punishment in a setting little changed over the years. The Court is famous for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834. More information
Roman Town House – 4 miles
The only Roman Town House to be seen in its entirety in Britain. Free entrance. More information
Studland Beach and Nature Reserve - 27 miles
Glorious sandy beaches stretching for 3 miles and a haven for rare birds and other native wildlife. More information
Swanage Railway – 22 miles
Dorset's premier award winning standard gauge preserved steam railway. More information
Tank Museum – 5 miles
Teddy Bear Museum – 4 miles
Edward Bear and his family of people-sized bears live in this delightful museum. More information
Terracotta Warriors Museum – 4 miles
The only museum outside China exclusively dedicated to the amazing Terracotta Warriors with replicas of the warriors, their costume and armour. More information
Tolpuddle Museum – 5 miles
A modern exhibition telling the story of the foundation of the trades unions. Colourful banners and imac touchscreens tell the story of the 6 Martyrs of Tolpuddle who were transported to Australia in 1834 after forming a trade union. More information
The Tutankhamun Exhibition - 4 miles
Tutankhamun's tomb perfectly reconstructed for the first time outside of Egypt. Facsimiles of his magnificent treasures including his golden burial mask. More information
Zorbsouth - 7 miles
Attractions in the area
We feel that Piddlehinton is an ideal base from which to explore West Dorset. It is centrally located so you can choose whether to be in the countryside or by the coast. Listed below are a selection of places you may like to visit.
Click on the heading for more information. The approximate distance from the cottage is given and there are links to other websites where relevant.
We feel that Piddlehinton is an ideal base from which to explore West Dorset. It is centrally located so you can choose whether to be in the countryside or by the coast. Listed below are a selection of places you may like to visit.
Click on the heading for more information. The approximate distance from the cottage is given and there are links to other websites where relevant.