LOCAL INFORMATION
What else is there to do locally? Well, lots actually. We're just outside the major tourist haunts of Poole and Bournemouth, but we'll limit this list to related and/or local venues. Feel free to suggest new entries to the author.
But first, because we have no catering facilities at the mill, we are often asked where one can get a meal in the neighbourhood:
Where to Eat
- The Anchor at Shapwick
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- Roughly a mile to the North
- The Churchill Arms at Sturminster Marshall
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- Roughly a mile to the west.
- The "original" village pub.
- The Red Lion Inn at Sturminster Marshall
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- Roughly half a mile west.
- A good reputation locally for the quality of their food.
- Pamphill Dairy
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- Roughly 3 miles to the east.
- Traditional fair, light lunches, etc.
- Also farm shop and traditional butcher's.
- Stables Restaurant at Kingston Lacy House
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- Roughly 2.5 miles by road
- Like most major NT properties Kingston Lacy has a restaurant.
- The possible downside is that it is the "other side" of the ticket office.
- Some people join the National Trust just so that they can use the restaurants.
- Wimborne
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- Roughly 4 miles to the east
- Numerous small restaurants and cafes.
Other National Trust Properties in the region:
Please consult the National Trust handbook for definitive opening times.
- Kingston Lacy House
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- The seat of the Bankes family following the destruction of Corfe Castle.
- Open: Gardens daily - March 31st to November 4th (Restricted opening the rest of the year)
- Open: House Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays - March 31st to November 4th.
- Badbury Rings
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- Major Iron-age hill fort.
- Car park open during daylight hours.
- Corfe Castle
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- Actually 15 miles away, but still part of the Bankes estates.
- Briefly the seat of the Bankes family from 1635 through to the civil war (1646).
- Open daily all year except christmas.
- Studland Beach
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- Another 5 miles beyond Corfe Castle.
- Over a mile of golden sands, winner of numerous "good beach" awards over the years.
- Avoid at bank holidays unless you enjoy queuing to get into car parks.
Other attractions
- Wimborne Minster Church of St. Cuthburga
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- In the town of Wimborne Minster
- Famous for its chained library
- See also the Minster entry on the Dorset Churches web site.
- Wimborne Model Town
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- King Street, Wimborne.
- Miniature buildings reproducing Wimborne as it was 50 years ago.
- Prize winning gardens.
- Priest's House Museum - Wimborne
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- High Street, Wimborne.
- One of the oldest houses in Wimborne with a delightful walled garden.
- Exhibits show the history of the area and range from earliest times to the 20th century
- Walford Mill Craft Centre
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- On the northern edge of Wimborne (follow the brown signs)
- Craft Centre in a former mill building.
- A cut above the average craft centre.
- Licenced restaurant
- Parish Church of St. Bartholomew in Shapwick
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- About a mile and a half to the north of Whitemill.
- More about the church here
- Traces of original 12th century building
- Reachable by pleasant riverside footpath (2 miles).
- Parish Church of St. Stephen in Pamphill
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- About two miles to the east of Whitemill.
- More about the church here
- Parish Church of St. Mary in Sturminster Marshall
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- About half a mile to the west of Whitemill.
- More about the church here
Web Sites with local connections
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