Poole Heritage Excursions

Bath

Bath

Bath is one of the world's great cities. To echo the words of the travel guides, it's a 'must see' destination, an essential place to visit.  Around Britain's only hot spring, the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water.
approx  time from port
1 hour 40 minutes

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle, both as a village and a castle, is located on the A351 between Wareham and Swanage in Dorset. The area is popularly known as the Isle of Purbeck. More information.

approx  time from port
30 minutes
Forde Abbey

Forde Abbey

Forde Abbey, founded in 1146, was one of the most significant Cistercian monasteries in England. The buildings seen today were all in existence in the Middle Ages, forming the Abbot’s and monk’s quarters, their kitchen, refectories, and their chapter house.

approx  time from port
1 hour 15 minutes
Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast, World Heritage Site

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is 95 miles of stunning coastline in Dorset and East Devon.  Walking along the Jurassic Coast is like ‘walking through time’ – 185 million years of time in 95 miles! 

approx  time from port
1 hour 11 minutes
Lulworth Castle

Lulworth Castle

Lulworth Castle was built in 1606 as a hunting lodge for the Lulworth Estate by Lord Howard of Bindon to attract King James I to hunt deer within the deer park, a 1000 acre enclosure created in 1299. 

approx  time from port
35 minutes
Mapperton House

Mapperton House and Gardens

Mapperton Gardens is a unique valley garden in West Dorset, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The gardens surround the Jacobean manor house, stable block, dovecote and All Saints' Church.

approx  time from port
1 hour
Minterne House

Minterne House

Minterne has been in the Churchill and the Digby families for nearly 350 years. The valley was landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown in the 18th century with a series of small lakes and cascades described in 'The 1,000 Best Houses,' as "a corner of paradise." More information.

approx  time from port
1 hour
Portland Castle

Portland Castle

Henry VIII’s finest coastal fortresses - Portland Castle.  Perfectly preserved, overlooking Portland harbour, you can try on armour, explore the Tudor kitchen and gun platform and see ghostly sculpted figures from the past.  More information

approx  time from port
1 hour
Sherborne Castle

Sherborne Castle & Lakeside Gardens

Sherborne is one of the most beautiful towns in England.  With its abundance of medieval buildings, superb Abbey, world famous Schools, Almshouses and Castles, Sherborne has much to offer visitors including specialist shopping centre with a choice of handcrafted goods, elegant fashions and a street market on Thursdays and Saturdays. More information

approx  time from port
1 hour
Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, which dates back to 3200BC is probably the most recognisable and enigmatic stone circle in Britain. The structure has fascinated people for centuries, and there are many theories as to what purpose it was put to by ancient man. More information.

approx  time from port
1 hour 10 minutes
Ware House

Ware House

A visit to Lyme Regis, the Centre of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site and area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, would not be complete without a visit to the home of Mrs. Minnie Churchill, DL. The house was used as the main house in ‘The French Lieutenants Woman’, and others including a ‘Miss Marple’ film and  a Rosamunde Pilcher film ‘Half a World Away’.

approx  time from port
1 hour
Winchester

Winchester Cathedral

There has been a Cathedral in Winchester since about 648 AD. The foundations of the current Cathedral were laid out in 1079 by Walkelin, the first Norman Bishop. To this new building (consecrated in 1093) the relics of St. Swithin were solemnly transferred, 15 July, and the `Old Minster´ was torn down. The Norman cathedral measured 535 ft (164m) in length, the longest then in existence.

approx  time from port
1 hour