Frankie's Guidebook
Local towns
45 minutes will bring you to Salisbury. While most of the shops are the usual high street chains, the cathedral is genuinely wonderful to visit - Www.Salisbury cathedral.org.uk. Packed with amazing history (the best preserved of the Magna Carta just for starters), amazing architecture and stonework, we recommend asking one of the incredibly knowledgable guides to give you the benefit of their knowledge, which is included in the ticket price.
There are lots of options for lunch (Wagamama, Byron, Cote) but if you fancy something less corporate then hunt out Fisherton Mill - Fishertonmill.co.uk - which is also great for local crafts, or Cafe Diwali - cafe Diwali.com - for delicious indian street food and craft beer.
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Salisbury
45 minutes will bring you to Salisbury. While most of the shops are the usual high street chains, the cathedral is genuinely wonderful to visit - Www.Salisbury cathedral.org.uk. Packed with amazing history (the best preserved of the Magna Carta just for starters), amazing architecture and stonework, we recommend asking one of the incredibly knowledgable guides to give you the benefit of their knowledge, which is included in the ticket price.
There are lots of options for lunch (Wagamama, Byron, Cote) but if you fancy something less corporate then hunt out Fisherton Mill - Fishertonmill.co.uk - which is also great for local crafts, or Cafe Diwali - cafe Diwali.com - for delicious indian street food and craft beer.
Stepping into Stur, as it’s known here, is a sort of time travel. 3 miles from The Barn, Stur is a mix of 17th & 18th century cottages, Georgian stone and a scattering of Victorian brick. The town centre is tiny but worth a wander. In addition to architectural medley, you’ll find a fabulous butcher (Al, the owner, is also a local beef farmer), greengrocer and baker all of which we use and recommend. At the bottom of the town, over the river Stour is the old water mill. In existence since 1016 (yes, really!) the mill is open a few days a week by enthusiastic and knowledgable volunteers.
Go to Sturminsternewton-museum.co.uk for more information.
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Sturminster Newton
Stepping into Stur, as it’s known here, is a sort of time travel. 3 miles from The Barn, Stur is a mix of 17th & 18th century cottages, Georgian stone and a scattering of Victorian brick. The town centre is tiny but worth a wander. In addition to architectural medley, you’ll find a fabulous butcher (Al, the owner, is also a local beef farmer), greengrocer and baker all of which we use and recommend. At the bottom of the town, over the river Stour is the old water mill. In existence since 1016 (yes, really!) the mill is open a few days a week by enthusiastic and knowledgable volunteers.
Go to Sturminsternewton-museum.co.uk for more information.
With its stunning Abbey, pretty high street and a castle with great gardens to boot, Sherborne is 25 minutes from The Barn. My favourite place for a coffee and browse is D’Urbaville, where you’ll find a great mix of vintage and modern as well as really good coffee.
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Sherborne
With its stunning Abbey, pretty high street and a castle with great gardens to boot, Sherborne is 25 minutes from The Barn. My favourite place for a coffee and browse is D’Urbaville, where you’ll find a great mix of vintage and modern as well as really good coffee.
Local Walks
The North Dorset Trailway (www.northdorsettrailway.org) is a section of the old railway line that ran from Bath to Bournemouth. Now a peaceful walking/cycle track through the lovely countryside, it links Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum. Just a couple of miles drive, through the village of Hamoon, will bring you to the nearest access point.
If you head towards Blandford you will pass the steam railway at Shillingstone (www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk). This fabulous little living museum is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with a restored station, engines and a little cafe.
You’ll also pass the Big Yellow Bus community gardens, a four acre oasis of productive gardens growing for local food banks, wildflower, newly planted orchard, bee hives and much more. (Www.big yellow bus.co.uk). Truly inspirational, it’s worth a look round for anyone interested in growing or in gardening as individual/community therapy. For a donation you can also borrow bikes for a couple of hours.
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North Dorset Trailway Blandford
The North Dorset Trailway (www.northdorsettrailway.org) is a section of the old railway line that ran from Bath to Bournemouth. Now a peaceful walking/cycle track through the lovely countryside, it links Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum. Just a couple of miles drive, through the village of Hamoon, will bring you to the nearest access point.
If you head towards Blandford you will pass the steam railway at Shillingstone (www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk). This fabulous little living museum is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with a restored station, engines and a little cafe.
You’ll also pass the Big Yellow Bus community gardens, a four acre oasis of productive gardens growing for local food banks, wildflower, newly planted orchard, bee hives and much more. (Www.big yellow bus.co.uk). Truly inspirational, it’s worth a look round for anyone interested in growing or in gardening as individual/community therapy. For a donation you can also borrow bikes for a couple of hours.
Hambledon Hill dominates the local landscape and can be seen from the Barn (leaf cover depending!). It’s a favourite place for a picnic, with amazing views, spectacular wildflowers and lots of butterflies in the Summer.
The hill has amazing history as well as being an SSSI. It’s one of the best preserved Neolithic landscapes in Europe, having never been intensively farmed, and one of the most important Iron Age hill forts. You really can step back in time here. See www.national trust.org for more info.
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Hambledon Hill
Hambledon Hill dominates the local landscape and can be seen from the Barn (leaf cover depending!). It’s a favourite place for a picnic, with amazing views, spectacular wildflowers and lots of butterflies in the Summer.
The hill has amazing history as well as being an SSSI. It’s one of the best preserved Neolithic landscapes in Europe, having never been intensively farmed, and one of the most important Iron Age hill forts. You really can step back in time here. See www.national trust.org for more info.
Another good starting point for a local walk is Ibberton Hill. On the Wessex Ridgeway, which runs from the Dorset/Wiltshire border at Tollard Royal and ends at the coast at Lyme Regis, you can see three counties from the top and walk through spectacular woods and fields whichever direction you choose to go in.
Ibberton
Another good starting point for a local walk is Ibberton Hill. On the Wessex Ridgeway, which runs from the Dorset/Wiltshire border at Tollard Royal and ends at the coast at Lyme Regis, you can see three counties from the top and walk through spectacular woods and fields whichever direction you choose to go in.
Again spectacular views from here, but also well-signed circular routes and geo-caching for the children. See national trust.org for more info.
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Fontmell Down Nature Reserve
Spread Eagle HillAgain spectacular views from here, but also well-signed circular routes and geo-caching for the children. See national trust.org for more info.
Gardens
First opened in the 1740s, the gardens at Stourhead (about a 45 minute drive) are rightly world famous. There’s always something to see, whatever the time of year. For more info go to www.national trust.org.
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Stourhead House
First opened in the 1740s, the gardens at Stourhead (about a 45 minute drive) are rightly world famous. There’s always something to see, whatever the time of year. For more info go to www.national trust.org.
In addition to the fantastic art gallery, the gardens are works of art too. Designed by Piet Oudolf, the planting is designed for year round interest with emphasis on spectacular seed heads. Entry is free and it’s 45 minutes from The Barn. See hauserwirth.com for more information and consider combining a trip here with the gardens at The Newt (thenewtinsomerset.com).
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Hauser & Wirth Somerset
Dropping LaneIn addition to the fantastic art gallery, the gardens are works of art too. Designed by Piet Oudolf, the planting is designed for year round interest with emphasis on spectacular seed heads. Entry is free and it’s 45 minutes from The Barn. See hauserwirth.com for more information and consider combining a trip here with the gardens at The Newt (thenewtinsomerset.com).
The National Garden Scheme began in the early 1900s, and now has over 3500 private gardens across the UK opening for charity. The gardens are often only open for a day or two per year, principally in Spring and Summer. There are loads near here, from stately homes to cottage gardens and everything in between, so do go onto ngs.org.uk and see what’s of interest to you and open while you’re here.
National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme began in the early 1900s, and now has over 3500 private gardens across the UK opening for charity. The gardens are often only open for a day or two per year, principally in Spring and Summer. There are loads near here, from stately homes to cottage gardens and everything in between, so do go onto ngs.org.uk and see what’s of interest to you and open while you’re here.
Food scene
A tiny restaurant serving incredible, local, seasonal food at great prices. This is one of our favourites. Book well in advance on 01747 853717
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La Fleur de Lys
Bleke StreetA tiny restaurant serving incredible, local, seasonal food at great prices. This is one of our favourites. Book well in advance on 01747 853717
Spectacular food in a spectacular setting just 15 minutes down the road towards Sherborne. Check out menus and book on the clock spire.com.
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The Clockspire Restaurant
GainsboroughSpectacular food in a spectacular setting just 15 minutes down the road towards Sherborne. Check out menus and book on the clock spire.com.
I wasn’t sure whether to put this under gardens or food, but my tummy won! Just beyond Semley (see antiques) and about 15/20 minutes fromThe Barn, Pythouse Kitchen Garden is set in an 18th century walled garden and pairs gardening with cooking to great effect. They have lots of events through the year so head to pythousekitchengarden.co.uk for more information and to book.
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Pythouse Kitchen Garden
I wasn’t sure whether to put this under gardens or food, but my tummy won! Just beyond Semley (see antiques) and about 15/20 minutes fromThe Barn, Pythouse Kitchen Garden is set in an 18th century walled garden and pairs gardening with cooking to great effect. They have lots of events through the year so head to pythousekitchengarden.co.uk for more information and to book.
Just a couple of miles from The Barn is the lovely White Horse. A great blend of delicious food, beautiful (but not over done) interiors, good local beer and friendly service. We highly recommend. Booking essential, last food orders around 8.15.
The White Horse Inn
Just a couple of miles from The Barn is the lovely White Horse. A great blend of delicious food, beautiful (but not over done) interiors, good local beer and friendly service. We highly recommend. Booking essential, last food orders around 8.15.
History
A world heritage site for very good reason, Stonehenge is 45 minutes from the Barn (depending on A303 traffic, which can be awful in Summer so factor it in!). The new visitor centre is FABULOUS, the audio guides are definitely worth having and there are often really good activities for children. To book and find out more, go to english-heritage.org.uk.
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Stonehenge
A world heritage site for very good reason, Stonehenge is 45 minutes from the Barn (depending on A303 traffic, which can be awful in Summer so factor it in!). The new visitor centre is FABULOUS, the audio guides are definitely worth having and there are often really good activities for children. To book and find out more, go to english-heritage.org.uk.
In 1780, when the first Earl of Dorchester decided the village of Middleton was spoiling his view, he had a new village, Milton Abbas, built, moved all the residents and demolished Middleton. Today the 36 almost identical houses form the main part of Milton Abbas, and every two years a traditional street fair is held to celebrate the rebuilding of the village. Residents dress in 18th century costume, there’s music, crafts, foods and entertainments.
Milton Abbey itself dates from the 15th century and sits in the landscape redesigned by Capability Brown for the same Earl.
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Milton Abbas
In 1780, when the first Earl of Dorchester decided the village of Middleton was spoiling his view, he had a new village, Milton Abbas, built, moved all the residents and demolished Middleton. Today the 36 almost identical houses form the main part of Milton Abbas, and every two years a traditional street fair is held to celebrate the rebuilding of the village. Residents dress in 18th century costume, there’s music, crafts, foods and entertainments.
Milton Abbey itself dates from the 15th century and sits in the landscape redesigned by Capability Brown for the same Earl.
Still the home of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House is the quintessential english stately home. Packed full of incredible art, tours of the house take just over an hour with the very knowledgable guides and MUST be pre-booked. The gardens are also stunning and have the most amazing adventure playground. You can take a picnic or the cafe is good, and can visit the gardens whether or not you are visiting the house. Go to Wiltonhouse.co.uk for more info and bookings.
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Casa de Wilton
Still the home of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House is the quintessential english stately home. Packed full of incredible art, tours of the house take just over an hour with the very knowledgable guides and MUST be pre-booked. The gardens are also stunning and have the most amazing adventure playground. You can take a picnic or the cafe is good, and can visit the gardens whether or not you are visiting the house. Go to Wiltonhouse.co.uk for more info and bookings.
El Museo de Tanques
Linsay RoadMuseo Internacional de Motores Haynes
Museo de la Flota de Aviación
Antiques & Auctions
Kingsettle Antiques
Station RoadVery, very dangerous for lovers of old things, this village is just the other side of Shaftesbury, so 15 minutes from us.
There’s the wonderful auction house, Clarke’s, who have both specialised and general sales every month. Check out Clarkes auction.co.uk for schedules and catalogues.
Then there are two really good antique centres, both with multiple dealers, Kingsettle and Dairy Antiques. I recommend both.
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Semley
Very, very dangerous for lovers of old things, this village is just the other side of Shaftesbury, so 15 minutes from us.
There’s the wonderful auction house, Clarke’s, who have both specialised and general sales every month. Check out Clarkes auction.co.uk for schedules and catalogues.
Then there are two really good antique centres, both with multiple dealers, Kingsettle and Dairy Antiques. I recommend both.