Early May we are staying for a week in the village of Semley which is the mid-point between Bath and Bournemouth. We will have a rental car enabling rambling around the area.
I seek your help in identifying locales and experiences within the area.
Our interests are architecture, history, people and "being there" to soak in local opportunities.
Food tips are great and seek guidance on location for a great Sunday roast experience. Love farm to table places, especially where a family are the operators. Strolls and light hiking also welcome, be it a country path or within a community.
We travel like Rick, only at a slower pace.
Appreciate your help!
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
Research National Trust properties to see if any are of interest to you.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/houses-buildings
Maybe a place like King Alfred’s Tower?
Posted by
2599 posts
I would make number 1 destination Lulworth Cove / Durdle Dor on the Dorset coast. Be sure to do this on a fine weather day as it is very exposed. Follow the blue line on this Google Map.
Be sure to have your photos taken on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury - everything you would expect of Ye Olde England.
Visit Sherborne which has lovely old streets. Sir Walter Raleigh’s Castle is on the south side of town. This could be combined with Montacute (NT) - which is just W of Yeovil OR drive south from Sherborne on A352 & visit Minterne Gardens & then go on S to Cerne Abbas where, from a lay-by on N side of village, you get a fab view of Cerne Abbas Giant.
On another day, go NW to visit Stourhead Gardens (NT) which could be combined with Longleat House & Safari Park - just a few miles further N.
On another day, you could go E to visit Salisbury & it's medieval cathedral followed by Stonehenge.
Bath is easily doable but it might be best if you drive N to Warminster & then catch a train.
The seaside town of Weymouth is another possibility and you could combine this with Abbotsbury sub-tropical gardens.
Google the places mentioned. Plenty to see!
Posted by
London, England
242 posts
The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu - over an hour's drive according to Google but well worth it if you're interested. Or for another form of transport, the Swanage Railway, serving the seaside town of Swanage and the ruined Corfe Castle.