19 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Dorset

This former brewery site has been converted to a complex including a museum, shops and a public house. The main building dates from 1903 / 1904. Brewing took place on this site from 1252 until the 1980s. There were 3 separate breweries. The building is located at Hope Square, which holds a range of cafes, bars, bistros, while close by is the Tudor House Museum, and facing out to sea is Nothe Fort and its gardens.

The Grade I listed Christchurch Castle is of Norman origin and was originally of a motte and bailey construction. The castle once dominated the town but now lies in ruins and only a couple of the keep walls remain. A castle has stood in Christchurch since approximately 1074 AD when William I fortified the town with a wooden fort on a motte. Today the bailey is home to a bowling green and gardens, and the ditch has been filled but parts of the keep and much of the constable's house still st

Clavell Tower, which was erected in 1830-31 for the Reverend Clavell in a prominent position on the cliff above Kimmeridge Bay. This four-story, circular tower stands high on the cliff above Kimmeridge Bay overlooking one of the most striking bays on the Dorset coast. It is owned by building conservation charity the Landmark Trust and is its most popular venue with holidaymakers wanting to stay there having to plan almost two years in advance.

This tiny isolated cottage situated on the slopes of Clouds Hill above Bovington Camp was the peaceful retreat of T.E. Lawrence (‘Lawrence of Arabia’) when he re-joined the RAF in 1925. It was, in fact, a 'pied a terre' used by Lawrence as a quiet retreat to write and entertain guests while he was stationed at the nearby army base at Bovington.

Durlston Castle and Country Park, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 320-acre countryside paradise. At this National Nature Reserve, you'll find dramatic sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, hay meadows, hedgerows, and woodland. The Castle itself has unparalleled views from the clifftops over Durlston Bay and across to the Isle of Wight, with many couples choosing to have their ceremony in the glass-sided Belvedere room on top of the Castle, followed by their reception in

Forde Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery dating back to the early 12th century. Throughout the 20th century, the 30 acres of gardens that surround this unique house have been transformed by the present owners. The house and gardens are run as a tourist attraction while the 1,600-acre estate is farmed to provide additional revenue. Forde Abbey is a Grade I listed building.

Forde Abbey is a stunning example of history preserved but not petrified, where the Kennard family continues to live and work in an informal style and where visitors will always receive a warm welcome. It has a long and varied history and was mostly neglected in the 19th century. The current family owners have lived in the house since 1905. The gardens are Grade II* listed and they cover 30 acres. There are several water features, planted gardens and an arboretum.

Hardy's Cottage is a beautiful secluded place to visit if you are following the Thomas Hardy Trail through Dorset. The cottage stands at the top of the hill off Cuckoo Lane in Higher Bockhampton and behind it stretches Egdon Heath, which Hardy wrote of in 'The Return of the Native'. The super cosy home will charm you with its antique decor and authentic north Indian cuisine among other features.

A majestic castle was Built in the 17th century. Originally built as a hunting lodge to entertain aristocracy and royalty, it was for centuries the family seat of the Weld family, the current owners of the Lulworth Estate. Inside the castle is a wealth of fascinating history; walk in the footsteps of King and Queens as you follow the story of the Weld family’s fate and fortune and explore the basement rooms and memorabilia collections. Children can enjoy hunting for the 10 bats hidden around th

The Lulworth Estate extends over 12,000 acres of the south Dorset countryside, including 5 miles of the Jurassic Coast and internationally renowned landmarks such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. The fairy tale Lulworth Castle is a great day out for all the family, from the fascinating exhibits in the basement cellars to the incredible views from the tower. The estate is predominantly owned by the Weld family, who have lived there for several generations.

Mapperton is a glorious sandstone manor house and romantic valley garden deep in a lost Dorset combe among tumbling hills and unspoiled countryside. It hosts several events each year, including charity plant fairs, classical concerts, easter trails, creepy crawly shows, food shows and halloween fun days. The house is open by guided tour only, which run at set times each day.

Max Gate was the house which Thomas Hardy designed and his father and brother built, between 1883 and 1885. Contains several pieces of Hardy's furniture. Here he wrote Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge. Visitors to the house can view the hall, dining room, drawing room and garden as well as the room where Hardy wrote his most provocative novel.

Corfe Castle stand on a natural hill guarding the principal route through the Purbeck Hills. As you can see it guards the gap between the south of Purbeck, where Purbeck marble was once quarried, and the rest of England. Nothing could pass in or out without going past the Castle. The castle dates to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. It is protected as a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

An elegant country mansion set in attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland. Discover the Spanish Room with its gilded leather and gilded ceiling brought from the Contarini Palace in Venice and don’t miss the interactive digital tour of Kingston Lacy in the Egyptian Room where you can take control of the camera to delve into all the nooks and crannies of the house. The Kingston Lacy Estate stretches for 8,500 acres and takes in Holt Heath National Nature Reserve and Badbury Rings.

One of the most fascinating historic houses in England. The Russell-Cotes was the home of two Victorian collectors and travel enthusiasts, Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes. Twice-yearly exhibitions of contemporary art support works from the main collection, and have included painter Jonathan Yeo and sculptor Jon Edgar in 2011. it is located on the top of the East Cliff, next to the Royal Bath Hotel.

Sandsfoot Castle, built by Henry VIII in 1539 to protect his kingdom from foreign invasion. It was designed specifically as part of the king's network of coastal defenses to protect against both French and Spanish attacks, based on the possibility of attacks by Roman Catholic enemies due to the change in the established religion in England.

Sherborne Old Castle is a romantic 12th-century ruin set in beautiful grounds next to New Sherborne Castle. it has a long and chequered history and became a powerful Royalist base during the Civil War. The castle grounds are a haven for wildlife and birds and it is an ideal spot for a picnic.

Upton Country Park in Poole has over 140 acres of beautiful award-winning gardens, open parkland, woodland, and shoreline, with stunning Georgian Grade II* listed Upton House as the centerpiece. Something for everyone to enjoy, whatever the season, so come along and see what has made Upton Country Park one of Poole’s premier attractions.