Best Things to Do in Dorchester for Couples
THE 10 BEST Couples' Activities & Things to Do in Dorchester
Best Things to Do in Dorchester for Couples
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15 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Speciality & Gift Shops • Gardens
Wineries & Vineyards • Wine Tours & Tastings
What travellers are saying
- Caroline F1 contributionStaff all very friendly, especially the gardners who were very happy to talk. Very well kept grounds. And what a glasshouse, wow. Light touch notices ( keep off the grass). Very reasonable entry fee with Gardeners World 2 for 1 ticket. Quick, friendly service in restaurant. Good clean loos. Last but definitely the best …… what a house !
History in buckets.
Plenty of water features so be aware with tiny people.
Will go back very soon without small grandchildren to have a closer look.
Thank you Athelhampton for a lovely time ☺️Written 6 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - AttitudeAdjusterGillingham, UK1,043 contributionsWe spent a wonderful sunny Wednesday exploring Sculpture By The Lakes. Not sure if we found all 131 sculptures but around every turn there was a great new vista and beautiful and tactile sculpture. It feels very peaceful and tranquil with birdsong, the call of the geese (and their delightful goslings) and the giant windchimes the only sounds you really hear (no children allowed). There are also plenty of places to sit (or lie) and rest awhile. Once you've done with walking (or maybe need a break) the restaurant is surprisiingly good. I will definitely be visiting again.Written 13 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Blondevie16 contributionsI’ve just had the most amazing morning with these guys flying owls and other birds of prey , on my ultimate experience that I had for my birthday .
I’ve always wanted to do this and today my dream came true
A big thank you to Connie and Kyle who are really knowledgeable and experienced in their field !
It was actually a privilege to be able to do this and I’d love to do it again ,
I flew two owls ,Alfie (think Connie said he was an African little owl ) but I was too in awe of him because he’s so cute , apologies if I got that wrong , Rosie , my all time favourite, a barn owl and always wanted to see one up close , Milo a gorgeous Harries hawk and probably a favourite now …Robyn the hooded vulture who had such a character. Then being able to hold Winnie an amazing bald eagle was really something so special ,thank you all for my unforgettable morning ,I can’t stop talking about it .Written 11 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ian HKing's Lynn, UK475 contributionsWhenever we come to Dorset we have to visit here. The setting is quite beautiful, a perfect example to tourism of an English old cottage!
Having parked we went to the cafe for a cup of tea. Sitting outside next to a bird feeder we were treated to about seven different species of birds, bullfinches, sisken, greenfinch, goldfinch to name a few. Could have stayed there for hours.Written 26 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jamie BBurnham-On-Sea, UK36 contributionsWe visited in the afternoon following on from Hardy’s Cottage. We arrived a touch early for the tour we had booked in advance and so took a lovely walk around the gardens. More about those later.
We were greeted by the guide (who we think was called Rich, but we could just be making that up!) and was taken on a journey through the history of the house, family and stories which was entertaining, fun, informative and extensive. In the end he must’ve kept us enthralled for a good 45 minutes before letting us lose to explore the house. We started in the gardens, and learnt about the architecture and the house, the gardens and the history. We then moved inside and were given some great anecdotes in the dining room and drawing room before being set free to wander and adventure the house ourselves. It is such a nice thing to be free in a house with so much history and quirks with only 6 other people. The rooms and house itself if fascinating, not huge, all of the rooms are nicely proportioned and there is a handful of original furniture and bits from Hardy’s past that you do get a sense of what he was like.
We finished up in the gardens, which are fantastic. There are three set parts to them, lots of mature trees, great borders, a vegetable patch and even a pet cemetery!
Overall it is the guide that made the visit so enjoyable, relevant and relatable. And also made us realise we had perhaps missed out on some crucial bits of information at Hardy’s cottage because he would occasionally start a sentence with “now you’ll know this from your visit to the cottage” and we would look at each other like nope, they forgot to mention that!
Would certainly recommend the visiting the cottage before here, which is what most people seemed to be doing anyway.
There is only a small amount of parking on the road outside, which is free. There is a toilet in the house and also one in the garden.
Give yourself an hour and a half for the tour and to enjoy the stunning gardens at your leisure (and the surprise bit of really ancient history which I’ll let you find out for yourselves).Written 7 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - epembertonNorth Yorkshire, UK387 contributionsA lovely mooch along the ramparts - would've loved to spend longer exploring the surrounding countryside but we only had time for a quick wander!
There is a free car park at the bottom of the path up to the ramparts, with a clear path. This does become grassy and muddy in places, so I was glad I'd popped my walking boots on. There are some nice views over Dorchester and the surrounding countryside, but the main attraction is the very well preserved Iron Age ramparts. It's definitely the biggest and best preserved hillfort we've ever visited.
Plenty of people (including us) with dogs, the majority on lead and well behaved - just one person (as always) spoiling it for the rest of us with a totally bonkers, out of control and of course off lead labrador jumping all over us.Written 21 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Marie283xBournemouth, UK258 contributionsPopped in on the off chance. Ample of free parking. Delicious cakes. Tea served in a proper tea pot. Lovely staff and beautiful setting.Written 1 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lucy TIsle of Wight, UK1,287 contributionsThese gardens are so pretty! The Thomas Harry clock was stunning with such intricate details! Lovely bandstand and water fountain as well as a good spot for a picnic. There are also Tennis courts available.Written 21 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- icewarriorBournemouth, UK52 contributionsWent last year …and was different as never done or ever heard of it …so thought we do it this year …so after my friend searched it out …she found it was on once again …on getting there in a different field and looked bigger…and wow busy …after wandering around the Bee word and the 🐝 itself..😊😊😊😊will be back ….👍Written 18 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Solitaire258Poole, UK31 contributionsSo pretty definitely worth a visit.
The cafe could offer a bit more in the food dept but otherwise okay.
If all of the steps around the gardens had a hand rail, at least on one side, this would greatly assist the older generation who can still mobolise but need some assistance.
Otherwise, a lovely day out worth visiting.Written 15 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stephen MBristol, UK172 contributionsWhat a great little cinema. Located just up from car park in centre of town.
Staff friendly and great prices.
Seated in screen 4 to see 'Back to Black'
Good legroom and good view and sound.
Gents toilets also very posh
I'd personally rather go to a cinema like this rather than a souless chain cinema
Please support it Dorset.Written 26 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sharon MBournemouth, England, United Kingdom98 contributionsLoved the Monet Spa. Very classy, beautiful interior.
Treatments very good and we felt so relaxed afterwards. Staff very pleasant and friendly.
Daisy was really great!Written 19 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jason CharlesDorchester, UK1 contributionsaw spiderman here and thought it was a nice place . people are friendly film was good and in focus and the sound was reasonable for once . staff were nice and generally it was okWritten 16 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laura GSanford, FL12 contributionsMy husband and I visited Langham Wine Estate for the vineyard tour and tasting. Emma, our tour guide was very friendly, welcoming and informative. The vineyard grounds are absolutely beautiful and it was interesting to learn about the history of the vineyard and how they take care of the vines. We saw the cellar and winery and it was very fascinating to learn about the wine -making processes they use. They use the traditional method and age the wines for 24 months on the lees. After the tour we went into the tasting room and tasted three fantastic English sparkling wines: the Corallian, the Culver and the Rose. The Rose was actually named 2023 Wine of the Year by Susie and Peter from the Wine Blast Podcast! All three wines were phenomenal, showing crisp fruit flavors as well as the bread/dough flavors we get from the lees. If you are a sparkling wine lover, I highly recommend this tour!Written 5 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AttitudeAdjusterGillingham, UK1,043 contributionsWhat a fabulous, fantastic and totally wonderful day!
OK so Mat doesn't control the weather but the sun shone on us and showed the Dorset coast and countryside at its best. A lovely walk on Chesil Beach, then Eggardon Hill where Mat explained lots and we got to try all sorts of wild leaves and herbs. After quick stops to pick wild garlic and then pastries at the Cerne Giant we ended the day with lunch in Sherborne and more lessons on bread and gin! We got to try some of Mat's wonderful liqueurs and prepare our own gin teabag. This really was a perfect experience.Written 5 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
