Attractions around Wimborne Minster Kingston Lacy House Badbury Rings East Dorset

Kingston Lacy - National Trust

Just to the north west of Wimborne Minster is the Kingston Lacy Estate. As you drive up to it from Wimborne you'll pass under an avenue of beech trees. Seven hundred and thirty one trees were planted in 1835 along the B3082 road and stretch for two and a half miles! The National Trust own the Kingston Lacy estate at the centre of which is Kingston Lacy country house. It was built for the Bankes family between 1663-1665 and later altered by Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament. The Bankes moved here after the valiant efforts of Dame Mary Bankes who was unsuccessful in defending their former home, Corfe Castle, a second time during the English Civil War.

You can visit the house and gardens and there are waymarked countryside walks around the estate. Pick up a leaflet at reception for more information. A virtual audio tour is available to guide you around the house and guided tours can be arranged outside normal opening hours. Kingston Lacy is renowned for its lavish interiors including the leather and gilded Spanish Room, the Old Master art collection including paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel. There is also the largest private collection of Egyptian artefacts on display that was originally collected by William John Bankes, a friend of the poet Byron and who was responsible for remodelling the house.

The licensed Stables Restaurant on site means you can easily spend a day here. The restaurant serves up National Trust Estate and locally produced food including products from its own herd of traditional breed Red Devon cattle.

Check the National Trust link right for opening times and admission prices. Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA. Tel: 01202 883402. Email: kingstonlacy@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Badbury Rings Iron Age Hillfort

Within the Kingston Lacy Estate is Badbury Rings, a remarkable Iron Age hillfort dating from 800 BC. This is a seven hectare fort encircled by three ramparts which also includes four Bronze Age barrows indicating that it was occupied from an earlier date.

The Dorset Celtic tribe the Durotriges are thought to have occupied Badbury Rings as they did at Maiden Castle near Dorchester. Like that hillfort it is believed the fort fell at the hand of the Romans in 43AD. Badbury Rings lies at the junction of two Roman roads from Old Sarum to Dorchester, evidence of which can be seen running to the west of the hill fort.

Light grazing maintains the grassland over the hillfort which has become important for wildlife with a fantastic display of fourteen species of orchids.

The Kingston Lacy Estate contains seventy two miles of footpaths and bridleways. There are also waymarked walks that will guide you round. Several big events are held at Kingston Lacy and Badbury Rings including the Badbury Rings Fun Run, regular point to point competitions, open air theatre and concerts, farmers markets and children's activity days.

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