| Mid-Dorset - the Area |
The Dorset Gap
This former crossroads - once the hub of central Dorset - is a well known beauty spot and a magnet for ramblers, who follow the local bridleways to find the visitors' book in its wooden mail box. The Dorset Gap is on the Higher Melcombe estate - some fifteen to twenty minutes walk from the Manor.
The tracks do not end there, but continue up to the Dorset Downs and the Wessex Ridgeway, with magnificent views and the chance to see buzzards, orchids and butterflies. The track crosses agricultural land, so boots or wellies are essential when the ground is wet. |
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There is a splendid 6 mile circular route through peaceful countryside with a chance for lunch at the Fox Inn at Ansty.
More photos of the area around the Dorset Gap can be found at . |
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Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
Higher Melcombe Manor is only 20 miles - some 40 minutes drive - from Weymouth and the Isle of Portland, in the middle of the Dorset stretch of the Jurassic Coast. Fishing boats, restaurants and more walks, certainly, but good beaches too - and plenty of sailing: Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy is the official venue for the Olympic Sailing events in 2012. You can book with us now...
West of Dorchester the county opens up into yet more magnificent countryside and coast - the 18 mile long Chesil Beach protecting the Fleet Lagoon, Abbotsbury with its Swannery, the historic market town of Bridport...
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| Hardy's Cottage |
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Thomas Hardy's Cottage is just outside Dorchester and a 30 minute drive from Higher Melcombe.
Hardy was born in this small thatched cottage in 1840, which stands at the top of the hill off Cuckoo Lane in Higher Bockhampton. Behind the secluded cottage with its flourishing old cottage garden stretches Egdon Heath, which Hardy wrote of in 'The Return of the Native'.
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| Local Pubs and Restaurants - advanced booking advisable at weekends, and essential for taxis in this rural area. |
Recently refurbished, a traditional country inn in the middle of Dorset with good food and excellent value. 3 mins by car.
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The European Inn is a small country pub in the heart of West Dorset six miles north of the market town of Dorchester - in the middle of the beautiful Piddle Valley. 15 mins by car.
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An excellent Farm Shop and Garden Centre with an adjacent farm shop and post office. Fresh bread and croissants baked daily! Opposite the Fox Inn.
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| 01305 269696/261010 |
| 0800 413190/01305 269500 (24hrs) |
| 07766 881806 |
| 07854 253964 |
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| Useful Links |
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| - travel and tourism website covering central and north Dorset. |
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| - wonderful database of Dorset images |
- on-line guide to this bustling Georgian seaside town. |
| - Dorset County Council lists of places to visit and attractions |
- 'Things to do in West Dorset'. |
| - '18 miles and 180 billion pebbles... ' |
- general tourism site for Dorset. |
If you are looking for other types of accommodation please try Dorchester Hotels |
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