Dorset

Everything from an island, ancient coasts and hidden gems, to a castle, cottages and a home inspired by an Italian palace, there are plenty of things to do in Dorset.

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A view of the house across the lawn at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Place

Kingston Lacy

A lavish family home re-imagined as a Venetian Palace in the rural Dorset countryside.

The medieval ruins of Corfe Castle on a hill on a sunny day in Dorset

Place

Corfe Castle

Thousand-year-old royal castle shaped by warfare.

Old Harry Rocks seen from the South West Coast Path in Studland Bay, Dorset

Place

Studland Bay

Vast area of sandy beaches and heathland.

An aerial view of Brownsea Island, Dorset. Brownsea Island sits in the middle of Poole Harbour.

Place

Brownsea Island

Famous for red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting. Re-opens 15 March 2025.

The garden path leading to the Hardy's Cottage, near Dorchester in Dorset

Place

Hardy's Cottage

Evocative cob and thatch cottage - the birthplace of Thomas Hardy. Re-opens 18 March 2025.

Sunny view of the lawn, shrubs and red brick house at Max Gate. There is a white bench on the lawn.

Place

Hardy's House, Max Gate

Atmospheric Victorian home designed and lived in by Thomas Hardy. Re-opens 18 March 2025.

Visitors exploring outside the cottage at Clouds Hill, Dorset.

Place

Clouds Hill

The rural retreat of T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). Re-opens 19 March 2025.

Spring daffodils in bloom in front of the Palladian Bridge at Stourhead, Wiltshire

Place

Stourhead

Just over the border - A Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden with a magnificent lake reflecting classical temples, a mystical grotto and rare and exotic trees.

Two children play with toy swords in front of Corfe Castle in Dorset

Family-friendly places in Dorset

The Saloon at Kingston Lacy with a high coved ceiling, fireplace, carved wood doors, framed paintings and furniture around the room

Houses and buildings in Dorset

A garden with trees in autumn colours of orange, purple, yellow and green

Let little explorers loose in the outdoors. They'll love scrambling across natural play areas and running free across open meadows and beaches or exploring ancient ruins at places like Kingston Lacy, Corfe Castle and Brownsea Island.

Family-friendly places in Dorset

There's all sorts to do in Dorset with the family, including discovering places to explore in gardens, parks, the countryside and on the beach.

Four visitors including children look out over the sea towards Poole Harbour from the coastline of Brownsea Island, Dorset

May half term in Dorset

Join us for a whole host of half-term fun at the places we look after in Dorset. We've lots planned from nature themed activity trails, interactive storytelling, exciting quests and much much more...

Making new friends, working in amazing places, and knowing that you're helping a great cause - just three great reasons to volunteer with the National Trust in Dorset.

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A volunteer clearing bracken in the woods at Studland Bay, Dorset

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Volunteering opportunities at Studland Bay

Volunteers play a big part in caring for habitats and helping visitors across Purbeck and we are always looking for friendly and passionate people to join our teams.

Volunteers planting trees as part of the Parkland Project at Oxburgh Hall

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Volunteering at White Mill

Find out all you need to know about joining the volunteer team at White Mill, from the kind of work our volunteers help with and how to get in touch.

Three people in a light-filled space, with big windows overlooking a garden

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Volunteering and community work at Kingston Lacy

There are numerous ways that you can volunteer with the National Trust at Kingston Lacy. Find out how to join our team.

Two volunteers in National Trust jackets sit at a picnic table on Studland Beach, sharing drinks and cake

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Supporter groups in Dorset

Whether you want to get hands on helping with conservation work in the great outdoors, or enjoy special talks and visits to properties and gardens, find a group for you.

Stay at a National Trust holiday cottage, or campsite, in Dorset and discover more above this special county.

South Shore Lodge, Brownsea

Perfectly placed for sea views and island adventures.

Westwood Farm House

A rustic farmhouse close to Corfe Castle and the South West Coast Path.

The Cheese House

Discover golden beaches, ruined castles and rolling countryside from this cosy, rural escape at the heart of the Jurassic coast.

The exterior of 524 Pamphill Green, Dorset

524 Pamphill Green Cottage

An eye-catching thatched cottage on the Kingston Lacy estate, where you’ll find miles of footpaths through lush rolling countryside waiting to be explored.

Greenlands

At the edge of Poole Harbour, with green fields all around this 1940s cottage has views to Brownsea Island.

Groom's Cottage

In the shadow of Corfe Castle, this former groom’s cottage is a quirky retreat in a historic village.

Portland House

Get a spectacular taste of 1930’s glamour in this stunning Art-Deco, Hollywood -Spanish inspired style villa on the Dorset coast.

Middlebere Farmhouse

A picture-perfect thatch cottage with modern rustic interiors, close to Poole Harbour.

Weston Farm Motorhome Site

Five sea-view pitches in the grounds of an old dairy farm, with walks inland to the Purbeck hills or to Chapman’s Pool on the Jurassic Coast.

Kingston Lacy Motorhome Site

A peaceful site surrounded by grassland and ancient trees on the Kingston Lacy estate, a short stroll from the house and gardens.

Weston Farm Campsite

A meadow campsite just off the South West Coast Path, with walks inland to the Purbeck hills or to Chapman’s Pool on the Jurassic Coast.

Brownsea Island Campsite

An island campsite near the beach, surrounded by thriving habitats in a spot famous for red squirrels.

Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train, bike or foot, there are many places in Dorset you can visit without a car.

A female walker on the coast path near Burton Bradstock on a sunny day in early April

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Places you can visit in Dorset without a car

Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train, bike or foot, there are many places that we care for in Dorset that you can visit without a car. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your a car-free day out.

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Event

Henrietta's Garden

Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset

Join us this year in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Henrietta Bankes’ vision of the Japanese Garden, filled with cherry blossom, bamboo and acers.

Event

Trees in the Landscape

Golden Cap, Bridport, Dorset

Meet our ecology team at Langdon Woods and join us for an informative walk to the base of Golden Cap where we celebrate the ancient trees in our landscape.

Event

Become a Nature Detective - (Feb and May Half Term)

Studland Bay, near Swanage, Dorset

Do you fancy yourself an amateur detective? Do you love nature? Come and borrow one of our Nature Detective bags free of charge this half term.

Event

Poo-tastic activity trail - May half term

Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset

Join us on a unique and quirky trail dedicated to animal droppings. Have fun with various activities as you learn some poo-mazing facts.

Event

Corporal of the Castle - Storytelling Tours

Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE day, join the Corporal of the Castle for an interactive storytelling tour. Suitable for children and those young at heart!

Event

Flight of the Castle family quest with Nosy Crow

Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset

Can you take flight to discover the birds that call Corfe Castle home as you explore the ruins? Hunt for the quest boards around the castle each featuring illustrations from the book, A Story of the Seasons.

Event

May Half Term

Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset

Get lost in adventure at Corfe Castle this May half Term. Join the Corporal of the Castle with interactive storytelling tours and take flight with our new family quest in collaboration with Nosy Crow.

Event

Pride, audio drama around the house

Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset

See Kingston Lacy through the eyes of William John, who despite being forced into exile in 1841, continued to send detailed instructions for Kingston Lacy's transformation.

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Image shows three women enjoying a walk through the woodland on a summer's day.

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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

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Dorset

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