Central Dorset Accommodation

Green, rolling countryside to explore in central Dorset
Traditional Dorset villages
The Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum is well worth a visit
See military vehicles at the Bovington VIewing Area
Military vehicles of all shapes and sizes
Tanks tearing around the heathland course
Training exercises on the heathland
St Martin's Church in Wareham where a life-sized effigy of Lawrence of Arabis is laid

Central East Dorset Tourist Information Tolpuddle Bovington

The central area of East Dorset is a rural part of the county with several interesting attractions. Lawrence of Arabia came to live in the Bovington area of Dorset and you can visit the house where he lived at Clouds Hill. Just down the road is the MOD Bovington Camp where military vehicles are put through their paces. There's a public viewing area just down the road from Clouds Hill that's worth a stop. If military tanks are your thing, try the Tank Museum. Here there's every shape and size of tank from World War I models to experimental prototypes. Moreton is where Lawrence was laid to rest after his untimely accident on the rural Dorset roads.

If you want to explore some of the countryside in the area Wareham Forest has easy to manage walking and cycling trails that takes you through conifer forest and heathland. No visit to this area of Dorset would be complete without going to the small village of Tolpuddle where events in the 19th century led to the founding of trades unions.

Featured Dorset Accommodation

Luccombe Holidays Self Catering… - Dorset

Beautiful Period Dorset Self Catering cottages on a traditional family estate, with stunning scenery all around. Masses of activities and leisure facilities.

£290 to £1550 Per week (seasonal)

Central East Dorset Tourist Guide

A lot of the villages in the centre of East Dorset end in Puddle. This is derived from their location close to the River Puiddle. The Victorians got a bit upset at all the piddles in the area and so renamed them "puddle" to save their blushes.

A large area in this part of Dorset is covered in heathland and conifer plantation. The heathland is largely within the MOD's ownership so not open to the public.

Between Wareham and Bere Regis is an extensive area of Forestry Commission conifer plantations. Within these runs the Sika Trail, a walking or cycling trail that takes you through forest and heathland where you might even spot a Sika or Roe deer. The cycling route is suitable for all ages and abilities. Check the weblink right for more information.

Tolpuddle Dorset Tourism Guide Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

Tolpuddle is a quiet character village in central Dorset. It's hard to believe it was the scene of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and one of the most outrageously harsh sentences to be passed to convict farm labourers who were just trying to make a living for themselves and their families.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs' case has never been forgotten and the Museum in the village tells their story and how their plight inspired the trade union movement in Britain. Tolpuddle is also the scene for the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival.

Bovington Camp Tank Viewing Area

South east of Topuddle is the Bovington area. As you're travelling around towards Bovington Camp don't be surprised if you suddenly see a tank hurtling down the road!

Nearby is an MOD practice area where all kinds of military vehicles are driven through the heathlands. There's a viewing area just down the road from the National Trust run Clouds Hill - the former residence of Lawrence of Arabia.

Even if you're not into military vehicles it's an impressive sight seeing huge armoured vehicles careering down the track.

The Tank Museum Bovington

Also at Bovington is the Tank Museum that houses the world's largest collection of armoured fighting vehicles including First World War tanks and the Challenger tank currently used by the military. There are also experimental designs on display.

The museum also organises a programme of events throughout the year so check their website, link right, for up-to-date information.

The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset BH20 6JG. Tel: 01929 405096. Fax: 01929 405360. Email: Corporate@tankmuseum.org

Lawrence of Araba, Clouds Hill, National Trust

TE Lawrence came to live in Dorset as a retreat from his fame as Lawrence of Arabia. He tried to enlist as a private in the tank corps at Bovington. His family, the Framptons, owned much of the land around Bovington and he rented Clouds Hill cottage from them and later purchased it.

The isolated cottage has been left much as it was when Lawrence lived here. Its contents give a different insight into his personality and extraordinary life.

Open End Mar-Oct 12-5pm Thurs-Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays. Clouds Hill, Wareham, Dorset BH20 7NQ. Telephone: 01929 405616. Email: cloudshill@nationaltrust.org.uk

It's well worth ringing the National Trust before visiting as Clouds Hill can sometimes be closed due to military exercises in the area.

Dorset Monkey World

If you're looking for more family friendly attractions in East Dorset, try Monkey World. Just outside Wareham, to the north, Monkey World is a huge monkey sanctuary covering 65 acres. It was set up in 1987 by Jim and Alison Cronin to save abused chimps. The majority of these were used in Spanish seaside resorts that were not only badly treated and made to pose for photographs, but were often illegally smuggled from Asia and Africa. Behind the scenes the rescued monkeys are rehabilitated and brought back to good health.

Today there are 15 species within the sanctuary numbering 150 primates. They have access to outdoor enclosures where there is a variety of playthings to keep them amused. During your visit you can see chimpanzees, orangutans, ring tail lemurs and various monkey species. There are picnic areas, a cafe and gift shop on site so plenty to keep you occupied for the day. There's also an adventure play area for the kids.

The site is fully accessible for wheelchairs and there are motorised scooters, dual-controlled and manual wheelchairs available at the centre.

If after your visit you're particularly taken with any of the residents you can Adopt-a-Primate and help support the good work being done at the sanctuary. Check the weblink right for more information. Monkey World, Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6HH. Tel: 01929 462537. Fax: 01929 405414. Email: apes@monkeyworld.org

T E Lawrence Death Moreton & Wareham

In 1935 Lawrence met an untimely death in a motorcycle accident near Moreton. He was only forty six years of age.

His grave is at St Nicholas Church in Moreton and the tea rooms in the old school in the village displays several photographs of the funeral and letters written by Lawrence to the Framptons.

There is also a life sized effigy of Lawrence in Arabic dress at St Martin's Church at Wareham. This was sculpted by war artist Eric Kennington and had been intended for his tomb at St Paul's Cathedral. However, at the time of his death the political unrest meant that they wouldn't accept it and it eventually found a home in this eleventh century church. If the church is closed you can obtain a key from the outfitters, AF Joy at 35 North Street. The church is usually open between Easter and October, Mon-Sat.

Wareham Museum is also worth a visit for Lawrence enthusiasts. It contains a whole section on Lawrence of Arabia containing photographs and documents relating to his life both in Dorset and the Middle East. The museum is open from end March to end October 10am-4pm Mon-Sat. Admission is free but donations are relied upon to keep it going.

Featured Dorset Accommodation

Luccombe Holidays Self Catering… - Dorset

Beautiful Period Dorset Self Catering cottages on a traditional family estate, with stunning scenery all around. Masses of activities and leisure facilities.

£290 to £1550 Per week (seasonal)