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Nr Wareham
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: 91
, currently showing 1 to 10.
Sixpenny Handley
A mix of old and new, Sixpenny Handley lies on the Cranborne Chase in excellent walking country, close to the roman road of Ackling Dyke. The village has a pub and several shops.
The village's unusual name, often shortened to '6d Handley' is derived from two medieval hundreds - Sexpenna and...
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.
Dorchester
This unpretentious village, the name of which is derived from a well of tepid water, has many aspects contrary to a typical Dorset village including several farms, a mill, the village, a great heath, watercress beds, a quarry and once an airfield used by the RAF during the Second World War.
The...
Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH
Highcliffe's attractive coastline,with its panoramic views of the Isle of Wight to the east and the Purbecks to the west is just a few minutes walk from the award-winning village centre. The unspoilt beaches are great for watersports, swimming and body boarding or for just lazing around and can be...
Sherborne
Batcombe is a very small village hidden under the northern slope of the Dorset Downs and is surrounded by mysterious legends. The church is the subject of one of these curious tales. It is said that at one time, the local squire, who was known as 'Conjuring Minterne' due to his dabbling in...
Sherborne
The lush, beautifully wooded parish of Minterne Magna is best known for its grand Manor House in which many a famous family have dwelled including Churchill, Napier and Digby. Inside the small, late medieval church of St. Andrew, magnolia-washed walls are covered with monuments to these families....
Dorchester
Little Bredy stands at the head of the Bride Valley where the River Bride tumbles down a waterfall from its springs and is well worth visiting for its gorgeous setting. The descent into it from the east is tremendous from either of the two roads with some of the best inland scenery to be seen in...
Sturminster Marshall
A large, pretty village with three pubs, village stores and several relics of past village life including the village stocks and maypole, the latter of which is still in use today.
Just outside of the village a medieval, eight-arched, bridge crosses the River Stour at White Mill. The bridge is...
Dorchester
Poundbury is a high density urban extension to Dorchester, designed by Prince Charles, consisting of town houses, cottages, shops and light industry. The village, which is built on Duchy land, has followed a high-density urban pattern, focussing on integrating housing, shops and workplaces, rather...
Dorchester
Buckland Newton is an average sized village situated between Sherborne to the north and Dorchester to the south. The village sits at the head of the Blackmoor Vale and lies amongst lush AONB meadow land and gentle hills. The village has a Grade 1 Listed Parish Church (Holy Rood) of gothic structure...
