Landscape and Historical Features

The diversity of the Dorset landscape provides breathtaking scenery, exhilarating climbs, undulating hills, a gentle stroll by ambling rivers, across long abandoned water meadows and the open green pastures of Thomas Hardy's 'Vale of the great dairies'

Maiden Castle, Iron Age hill-fort 350BC: Poundbury Hill fort, Eggardon Hill
Maumbury Rings, Roman Amphitheatre - Dorchester


Cerne Giant near Cerne Abbas
 
White Horse near Osmington

Roman Town House Dorchester

Durdle Door



A massive rock arch, set right on the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth, is absolutely beautiful sloping beach for bathing or snorkeling from, caves and exciting rock strata. Just along the coast path from Lulworth Cove with its Fossil Forest, thatched cottages, fishing boats, lobster pots, wild flowers, quaint little gift shops and tea rooms and Stair Hole with the famous Lulworth Crumple - the charm of the place is timeless and you will want to return over and again.

Kingston Maurward Gardens, Animal Park and  Riding Stables near Dorchester www.kmc.ac.uk
The famous house at Kingston Maurward was built for George Pitt, a cousin of the Elder William Pitt. In its original form, it was completed in 1720, it was red-brick, but legend has it that during a visit George III is said to have questioned its looks - 'Brick, Mr Pitt, only brick'. The mortified owner promptly encased the house in Portland stone.
The house is now an agricultural college and is not open to the public except for weddings, events and functions.
In the grounds of this Grade 1 listed Georgian house. Classical 18th century Capability Brown parkland setting with a beautiful ornamental lake:
The grounds are open and are well worth the visit. They are in English style,  that is natural, with lawns and water meadows as well as the lake. There is also a fine Edwardian garden with stone terraces and yew hedging. Within the grounds there are a Farm Animal Park with unusual breeds, and a nature trail.

http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/kingston_maurward_gardens.htm
Formal Gardens, Lakeside Walk and Demonstration Gardens.
Home of the National Penstemon and Salvia Collections.

Athelhampton House. www.athelhampton.co.uk
15th Century Manor House. Architectural Gardens

The Great Dorset Maize Maze and Animal Farm Park
www.greatdorsetmaizemaze.co.uk

Abbotsbury: www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
Abbotsbury Swannery:
Sub-Tropical Gardens:

Tithe Barn - under restoration using local stone and local reeds for the new thatched roof! 

Smuggler’s Barn and Children’s farm;
St Catherine's Chapel:

Dansel Craft work Gallery, Abbotsbury: www.danselgallery.co.uk

Bennett’s Water Gardens, Chickerell www.waterlily.co.uk

Famous Local People


Thomas Hardy
  


Cottage at Higher Bockhampton. - National Trust
The small thatched cottage where the poet, novelist and architect was born in 1840 was built in 1800 by his great grandfather and changed little since.


Max Gate - National Trust
Thomas Hardy designed the house and lived there from 1885 until his death in 1926


Judge Jeffreys
Infamous for the 'Bloody Assizes' - trials of the rebels following the Monmouth Rebellion
- Old Crown Court and Cells Dorchester
- His Lodging House - now a restaurant

T E Lawrence - Lawrence of Arabia

Cottage at Clouds Hill, near Bovington. Owned by Lawrence who died following a motorcycle accident nearby on 19th May 1935 aged 46.
He lies in the Cemetery of St Nicholas Church at nearby Moreton.
Tank Museum at Bovington. Includes an exhibition of his life and career.

St Nicholas Church, Moreton is well worth a visit for its amazingly beautiful and unique church windows, entirely of engraved glass created by Lawrence Whistler and his son, Simon.

Captain, later Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy
('kismet' or 'kiss me' Hardy) was Nelson's Captain on the Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. His Manor House home was in the village of Portesham which nestles in the valley below to the south of Hardy's Monument. 72ft high tower open in summer: Erected 1844.

Tolpuddle Martyrs
Old Crown Court and Cells
Martyrs Museum at Tolpuddle Annual TUC Rally.

William Barnes
Dorset dialect poet . Statue outside St Peters church. Dorchester
He was a friend and a great influence on Thomas hardy. Buried at Winterborne Came where he was rector from 1862.

Dorchester Borough Gardens

The Victorian Borough Gardens near the centre of Dorchester are the perfect place to relax for a picnic, play tennis or bowls or just escape for an hour of so. The bandstand and clock are ornate and colourful examples of Victorian design

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For reservation & enquiries:
please telephone;
01305 267145 - 07748947610
or email:
enquiries@aquilaheights.co.uk

Aquila Heights Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation
44 Maiden Castle Road
Dorchester, Dorset
DT1 2ES

  Some photographs:  courtesy of South West Tourism