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Activities to try during your stay at Belview Cottage, DorsetWalking There are many footpaths and bridleways all around the area, with fantastic views over the surrounding countryside and along the stunning coastline. You are welcome to borrow our OS Explorer map of the immediate area during your stay. This runs along the route of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway line and takes you through some picturesque villages of the Blackmore Vale. There are four sections you can currently visit that take you through some of North Dorset's spectacular countryside, towns and villages with views of Hambledon Hill and the meandering River Stour. The trail runs along a flat, surfaced 2-metre wide track suitable for push chairs/wheel chairs, horses, bicycles and walkers. You can join the Trailway from Station Road car park in Sturminster Newton. Swimming Blandford has a great Indoor Swimming Pool and even has a water slide too - check for opening times. Tel: 01258 455566 Dairy House Farm, Woolland (a few miles away) has an indoor heated swimming pool. Children’s Activities Climb Aboard, Ambassador Business Park, West Stour, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5SE Cool Play Ltd, Spiders Farm, Rivers Corner, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 2AB Crazy Monsters, Unit 8, Sunrise Businesss Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8ST. Tel: 01258 456688. Three tier adventure play zone with café. About 25 minutes away. Adventure Wonderland, Merritown Lane, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 6BA Honeybrook Farm Shop and Park, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4JD There is a children’s playground at Alec’s Field in Hazelbury Bryan (opposite the Antelope Inn), about 1.5 miles away. Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park for children up to 8 years old. Bike Hire and Cycling Dorset Cycles, 31 High Street, Stalbridge, DT10 2LL Tel: 01963 362476 Torico Unit 3 North Dorset Business Park, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2GA Shaftesbury Cycle Hire free delivery and collection. Includes helmets, lights, pumps, toolkits and combination locks. Contact Pete Saunders 07711 432 371. UK Bike Park for downhill mountain biking, located at the top of Okeford Hill, near Shillingstone (about 20 minutes away by car). North Dorset Trailway Details are given under the paragraph on Walking above. Places to visit while staying at Belview Cottage, Dorset
Sturminster Newton (about 3 miles) Stur is a small market town situated in the heart of the Blackmore Vale. It has a working 17th Century Mill and the Town Museum. There is a very fine medieval six-arched stone bridge over the River Stour at one end of the town. The author Thomas Hardy lived here for a couple of years around 1876 and wrote "The Return of the Native" whilst here. There is a trailway along the course of the old railway which starts in Station Road car park and is suitable for walkers and cyclists. 
Sherborne is a most attractive and historic town, with two castles and the Abbey being well worth a visit.
Dorchester is the county town of Dorset and has many interesting features and attractions, including the Dinosaur Museum and the Tutankhamun Exhibition, as well as its links with Thomas Hardy, who called it Casterbridge. 
Lyme Regis is an historic unspoiled seaside resort and fishing port on the world famous Cobb harbour. Surrounded by beautiful coastlines and countryside, the area has now been awarded World Heritage Site Status; famous for its geology and fossil finds. Weymouth is home to a safe clean sheltered family beach with three miles of level promenade, providing access to the beach, Town Centre, Harbour and Country Park. Also the location for sailing events in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Salisbury Cathedral has the tallest spire in Britain and dates from the 13th Century. Attractive town centre and shops. Other places of interest, which can easily be visited in a day
Abbotsbury Swannery, Sub-Tropical Gardens and Children’s Farm Athelhampton House and Gardens Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre Photo courtesy of Patrick Shelly (S & S Guided Tours 
Stourhead National Trust Property Kingston Lacy National Trust Property Longleat Safari Park and House |
