Places to Visit

Why not make a visit to Forde Abbey part of a longer tour of the area or, if you are fortunate enough to live here, take time to rediscover the treasures on your doorstep? Forde Abbey is situated in an area that has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and certainly deserves the honour. The local area makes the perfect place to discover West Dorset, South Somerset and East Devon; some of the most beautiful counties in the country.

There is something for everyone: Visit the historic market towns of Honiton (famous for its delicate lace) and Axminster (home of the beautiful carpets), stroll along the Cobb wall in Lyme Regis featured in Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ and John Fowles’ ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’, find prehistoric fossils along the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast , ramble along the miles of footpaths of the Coast Path or Jubilee Trail, explore one of South Somerset’s beautiful Classic Gardens and sample the wonderful local food and drink.

There are also many other local attractions that make a great day out.

Other local attractions:

Within 10 miles

The Broadwindsor Craft Centre
A showcase for local crafts created from redundant farm buildings. The craft centre has a large range of gifts, cosmetics, musical instruments, food and other local items.

Clapton Mill 
One of the most complete and original watermills in Britain.

Barrington Court (National Trust)
A beautiful Tudor manor house with a Gertrude Jekyll inspired formal gardens.

Perry’s Cider Mills 
See the creation of the most famous Somerset brew.

Lower Severalls
An enchanting garden and nursery set in the rolling hill of South Somerset.

Lyme Regis 
A beautiful coastal town with a range of shops and boutiques and the famous Cobb. Why not take the opportunity to go on a literary walking tour?

Marshwood Trails
Explore delightful West Dorset countryside on a state-of-the-art electric bike. Guided tours and rentals available all year.

Within 20 miles

East Lambrook 
Margery Fish’s garden well-known for its championship of English cottage gardening.

Hestercombe Gardens
The famous Edwardian garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and planted by Gertrude Jeykll.

Sherborne Castle
Built by Sir Walter Raleigh, this castle is set within 40 acres of
‘Capability’ Brown landscaped gardens.

Sherborne Abbey 
Founded in 705, once a Saxon Cathedral and now one of the most beautiful parish churches in England.

Montacute House (National Trust)
A magnificent Elizabethan stone-built house with fine collections, gardens and park.

Fleet Air Arm Museum
A huge range of exhibits covering all aspects of the Fleet Air Arm’s history and activities.

Pecorama 
A wonderful day out for model railway fans of all ages and home to the Beer Heights Light Railway.

Within 30 miles

Athelhampton House
A beautiful 15th centur house with varied garden.

Abbotsbury Swannery, Gardens and Farm
A long established swan sanctuary, glorious botanic gardens and children’s farm.

Bishop’s Palace, Wells 
The medieval home of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for more than 800 years.

Bicton Gardens 
More than 300 hundred years of horticultural history can be seen in these gardens situated in the Otter Valley.

Glastonbury Abbey
Traditionally the oldest above-ground Christian church in the world.

The Dinosaur Museum
Life-sized reconstructions, fossils and skeletons.

Tutankhamun Exhibition
Suberb recreations of this amazing find.

Dorset County Museum
Tells the 6000 year history of Dorchester.

Kingston Maurwood Gardens & Animal Park
A formal Edwardian garden & animal park with a variety of animals.

Weymouth Sealife Park
Discover the fascinating creatures of the sea.

The Keep Military Museum
The stories of those who served in the Regiments of Devon and Dorset over the last 300 years.

Further Afield

Click here for links to heritage routes throughout Somerset.

Longleat  The star of the BBC’s Animal Park.
Lulworth  Walk in the footsteps of kings and queens!
Wookey Hole Caves  Britain’s most spectacular caves.
Tank Museum  The world’s finest and most comprehensive collection of tanks.
Adventure Wonderland  A great day out for children with over 27 rides and attractions.
Bennett’s Water Gardens  Renowned for its replica ‘Monet’ Japanese bridge and collection of water lilies.
Compton Acres  Japanese, Italian, Rock and Water Gardens to enjoy
Corfe Castle Model Village  A fine miniature construction of the castle
in 1646 before its destruction by Cromwell.
Farmer Parmer’s Farm Park  A day of discovery for the under 8s.
Go Ape!  Exhilarating adventure 40 feet above ground.
Highcliffe Castle  A beautiful Grade 1 listed building with cliff top grounds.
Portland Castle  One of Henry VIII’s finest fortifications now in the care of English Heritage.
Royal Signals Museum  A hands-on exhibition looking at the work of wartime special forces.
Swanage Railway  The most convenient and spectacular way to explore the Jurassic Coast.
The Blue Pool  Famous for its ever-changing kaleidoscope of colours.

Bovey Community Garden, Dartmoor:http://www.boveycommunitygarden.org.uk/

For places to stay in the area please click here.