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Nr Dorchester
In Dorset you'll never be far from traditional and pretty villages to explore. Each Dorset village has its own character, history, individual charm and tale to tell.
Here's just a taster of some of Dorset's best villages, whether you come across them by chance on a ramble or cycle ride or you've set off to find that quirky pub, interesting church or village tearoom for a slice of Dorset apple cake!
Number of items: 81
, currently showing 1 to 10.
Bridport
Set amongst the spectacular rolling Dorset hills, Bridport is a lively town with a friendly and vibrant character. As well as being a Gateway Town to the Jurassic Coast, Bridport has also been named a Beacon Town for the quality and variety of its locally produced food. Bridport’s culinary delights...
St Leonards & St Ives
The parishes of St Leonards and St Ives, situated between Ringwood and Ferndown, are surrounded by heath land which walkers and visitors can explore at Avon Heath Country Park, with its visitor centre and marked trails. There is good access to both Rural Dorset, the New Forest, Bournemouth, Poole...
Corfe Mullen
Featured in the Domesday Book, the residential parish of Corfe Mullen takes its name from Saxo-Norman meaning ‘a mill in a gap’ and the mill, on the River Stour, sadly no longer in use, is described in the book as the most valuable corn mill in Dorset. For many years Corfe Mullen was important for...
Longham
Longham is a linear village, with houses lining the road from the bridge over the River Stour to the pretty little church at the north end, where the parish abuts the town of Ferndown.
There are two pubs, a village stores and hotel and restaurant. Longham is also home to Haskins Garden Centre,...
Hinton Martell
A quiet and leafy village of medieval origin, which, from its description in the Domesday Book, seems certain to have been of special importance at the time of the Norman Conquest. The main feature of the village is the fountain in the centre, opposite the church.
The village Church of St John...
Pamphill & Cowgrove
Pamphill is one of Dorset’s most unspoilt villages; along with the neighbouring villages of Cowgrove and Shapwick, it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1982 by the Bankes Family, as part of the Kingston Lacy Estate. Three commons or ‘greens’ unite scattered 17th and 18th Century cottages and...
A charming village of red brick and cob houses on the River Crane. The village has two pubs, a restaurant, village stores selling local produce and a garden centre.
Known as 'Chaseborough' in the novels of Thomas Hardy, the village was also popular with poet Rupert Brooke who stayed at the...
West Moors
A large village with a modern parade of shops and two village pubs. The village lies on the route of the Castleman Trailway a walking and cycle route which runs from Poole to Ringwood. Surrounded by heathland and woodland, a great base for a cycle ride.
Horton
Lying between the rivers Allen and Crane, the village of Horton has an attractive church and a village pub and shop on the outskirts.
The village's unique landmark, Horton Tower, was built in 1750 by Humphrey Sturt as an observatory to watch the movement of deer when he could no longer ride. ...
