SHAFTESBURY, DORSET - Wanted - things to do for the day.

Swattie

I'll be holidaying in the area next week and would appreciate any suggestions for things to do, day trips out and great shopping.

Also any discounts or special offers.

Will have 13 yr old DD with me.

Thank you

Sooler

http://www.clarksvillage.co.uk/

http://www.monkeyworld.org/

moonrakerz

You can re-create the old Hovis adverts !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/panoramas/gold_hill_360.shtml

Horace

Fantastic, I have spent many a happy August Bank Holiday in Shaftesbury and know it well.

One of the best places to go for a drink is the Two Brewers at the bottom of Gold Hill (where the Hovis ad was filmed). In the town itself the best place to go for a hot or cold lunch/breakfast is the John Peel Restaurant (known affectionately as the Whale's gullet due to its knobbly pink interior and the fact that it goes a long way back). The Ship in Shaftesbury also serves nice food and they have an old ships wheel there - it should be sporting a lovely knot that was made by my late friend Bill (he was a retired merchant seaman).

You could go on a day trip to Blandford Forum and visit the Hall & Woodhouse Brewery where you can go on a trip round the brewery and buy goodies in the shop. Salisbury also isnt too far away.

There are lots of lovely views to be seen from Park Walk in Shaftesbury (quite close to Gold Hill) - this is close to the castle ruins.

If you have a car, then you can go to Mere (a small town by the river) as well as visit The Coppleridge Inn (this has its own website - its a fab place to stay as well).

Wimborne St Giles is a lovely village to visit (the home of the Earls of Shaftesbury), however, I understand that the Earl's home is now in a ruinous state (owned by the one that was killed in France). It is a quaint village and you can get to it by driving up or down zig zag hill (look it up on the map and you'll see what I mean).

Hope you enjoy your time in Shaftesbury, if you want more info PM me.

alric

uk freeride park? nr blandford
you'll need a proper mountain bike though, none of your halfords rubbish, and body armour

Horace

You can go zorbing in Dorset too (great if you want to feel like a hamster in an inflatable ball rolling down a hill). I think that you can go hot air ballooning in Blandford plus there is a quad bike facility nearby.