Other than the castle, the village itself has a very inviting feel about it. You enter the castle…read morefrom the little square where there are a few shops and a monument in the middle. The square is very small! I don't know; I just found the place really calm and peaceful - most likely not this way during the tourist season but on a cold wet November late afternoon the atmosphere was at its best. The village isn't very big, so worth a little wander around and perhaps a stop in a pub and some of the shops.

Such a beautiful village - it hasn't changed much since I used to visit it over 40 years ago. The…read moreCastle is always worth a visit - you get in free if you're a National Trust member, and the parking at the visitor centre at the entrance to the village is also free to members. Try getting there early-morning before the crowds. Interesting little shops and the National Trust Tea Rooms does the best cream tea ever - sit in their garden overlooking the Castle. There's also a model village. The steam train runs from the Park & Ride at Norden (just before Corfe Castle village), stops at the village before chugging through the Purbecks onto Swanage. A good day's fun!

Grade II listed block of 164 flats designed by American architect Hector O'Hamilton, in Los Angeles…read moreSpanish style. It is a marvellous confection, with lovely tiled detailing. Built in 1935-38, it has worn remarkably well, and still looks 'fabulous, darling' today.

The freehold of San Remo Towers was sold for the first time whilst it remained as a 100% rental…read moreblock in 1992 to Roger Byron-Collins' company Welbeck Estate Group and the Hodge Group. It underwent a major upgrading programme. After several years of overall enhancement the freehold was sold whilst it was still a rental building. In 2000 it's freehold was sold whilst still a rental block by Welbeck and Hodge., The new owners then embarked on a programme of selling off the individual apartments.

Food was very rocky…read more My teeth hurt. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhghhhhgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhsnsndbrbeisks d d end

Old Harry is a group of stacks just off the point of Studland Bay. Which is some miles from…read moreSwanage. You can have a walk across a large meadow to see these, and the view from the cliff is very good. (Don't lean over too far - or you'll take up diving really quickly.) The walk can be muddy so go when it's been dry for a few days. You can also sail out to see them, and that's how I achieved this photo. or you can use a kayake. A canoe is not recommended, as there will not be enough weight and strength to counter the tide and waves, and you don't want a good canoe to become match sticks now do you? The whole of the south coast is chalk, so erosion takes place quite dramatically over time. Old Harry (named after a pirate, who, incidentally, raided the Spanish Armada) has been carved away from the cliff face. Old Harry's Wife fell into the sea completely around one hundred and fifty years ago. At the bottom of the rocks, 'doors' are being carved out by the sea. This always looks dramatic as the rock is so white.

Worth Matravers is a cute village in the Purbecks. When you visit it's like stepping back in time…read more With stone cottages everywhere and wonderful scenic walks nearby you feel at one with nature. The local shop and tea room is warm and inviting and the central pond a super place to relax and commune with the ducks! Great for a day out.

On our Road Trip through England, Wales and Scotland we focused on Castles, Abbeys and walks…read more The Titchfield Abbey we've visited on our first full day here in England. It was a hot summer day. A monday. And only really a handful people on site. Which is surprising, because these are beautiful remains of a former abbey and mansion. It's almost still fully complete even. There's no entrance fee. And even parking is free if you're a member of the EH. If not it's 2£ only. The building is very impressive. Built in the 13th Century it was first in the hand of monks. Then it changed hands under Henry VIII. And was turned into a Tudor mansion. It's quite a sight to behold. And you can walk around the whole site. But as usual: Be respectful, don't climb around and pick up your litter and after your dog (which are allowed here on the site). A very good start for this year's Road Trip. A great place to visit. And there are even one or two lunch options around, if you feel hungry after your visit.

Titchfield Abbey is a ruined former country home, which was itself adapted from an Abbey during the…read moreDissolution. The Abbey was founded in 1222 by the Premonstratensian Order of canons. It was founded as a daughter house of Halesowen Abbey, and endowed both by its founder Bishop Peter of Winchester and Henry III. Never especially wealthy, the Abbey was nevertheless noted for its scholarship and held a substantial library. The Abbey buildings followed a standard plan, albeit on a relatively modest scale. The Abbey seems to have had a quiet and ordered existence, although it's location near the south coast on one of the main routes to France meant it hosted both Richard II and Henry V, and was the location of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou in 1445. The Abbey was dissolved in 1537, at the behest of Thomas Wriothesely, Chancellor to Henry VIII. Unlike many dissolutions, the Abbott John Salisbury secured a peaceful handover, with pensions provided for the canons and the position of Dean of Norwich for himself in 1539. Wriothesely adapted the buildings to form a n impressive country home for himself, called Place House. The Abbey church itself was converted to a grand gatehouse and accommodation wing, with a long gallery and hall formed around the former cloister. This involved taking down the church tower and chancel. The house hosted Elizabeth I, Edward VI, Charles I and Charles II. It continued in use as a home until the 1780s, when the decision was taken to abandon and deliberately demolish much of the complex to form a romantic ruin. Today it is in the care of English Heritage. The impressive turreted gatehouse forms the larger part of what is visible today, the bare structure enabling much of the former church to be traced. There are also remains of the cloister walls, with the foundations of the demolished buildings traced out on the ground. The site is also known for its collection of decorative mediaeval floor tiles. The adjacent fish ponds have survived but are no longer part of the site. Practicalities: the gravel drive is quite narrow and leads to a gravel car park. Although there is level access the rough surfaces make for challenging wheelchair access. There are no toilets on site.

Incredible location, very fun to get to via ferry but you take the 45 minute walk…read more Used by Henry VIII, the Ministry of Defence and now taken over by English Heritage, Hurst Castle offers a varied history. The castle does a good job of showing all the changes that have happened throughout its history. From seeing several different castles open up to the public, Hurst Castle stood out. Would completely recommend the audio tour. Absolute bargain at £2 each with a offer of two audio tours for £3. All the staff were very friendly and know the Hurst ferry staff.

A brilliant day out! The amazing adventure starts by parking…read moreyour car at Keyhaven. You then discover this massive pebbles barrier protecting the marshes from the waves. From very afar you can see the round shape of Hurst Castle: it looks small from there, but don't judge it yet. Walk all the way to the castle by using the barrier and then you'll see that there is more than meets the eye. Entry is about 3 pounds for an adult, which is a true bargain for a National Trust site. There is plenty to see and do and the views are fantastice. There is also plenty of exhibitions about the Bournemouth coastline and life in the castle and its strategic position. All in all, a cheap and great day out for the whole family.

The Athelhampton House is a must see if you are traveling this side of town. I came with a tour…read moregroup which included ride and tickets. The house and gardens are beautiful. I intentionally didn't post any pictures of inside the house as you really don't want any spoilers. I also limited my garden photos to just a few so you can get the idea but really you must go. Lucked out coming early August as the weather was beautiful. It definitely wouldn't have been the same experience if it was raining. Due to the sunshine and perfect weather strolling the gardens was wonderful. Also since the weather was good it allowed not everyone to feel stuck inside the house. I liked that there was a good flow to the house without it being too crowded. The house is as large as it looks from the outside. So much to see and very informative. Two floors with stairs. The rooms were immaculately clean and they did have a few staff inside answering questions. The gardens and greenhouse were my favorite. So much to see and again, with sunny weather I truly could have spent hours outside walking the grounds. Summer is definitely the time to come. One of our guides noted when she comes in the fall and winter months the gardens are naturally kind of barren with less flowers and such. Flowers were in full bloom and the fresh air was amazing. Near the greenhouse we saw tomatoes, grapes, figs, and varieties of apples. Truly a lovely place and experience.

I knew nothing about this incredibly special place when I visited, and I wish I had. So, for you,…read morefuture visitor who might also be a bit dorky for history/fun facts, some information from Visit-Dorset.com: Durdle Door is a "... part of the Jurassic Coast. The coastline is of such international geological importance that it was designated England's first natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001 and is now part of a family of natural wonders including America's Grand Canyon and Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The magnificent natural limestone arch was formed when the power of the waves eroded the rock and forged a hole through the middle. The name Durdle is derived from an old English word 'thirl', which means to pierce, bore or drill." I visited via the car park (which has toilets) located on the cliff top. The walk downhill to the viewpoint is quite steep and pebbly, and can be slippery when it's raining, so wear good shoes! It's about a ten or fifteen minute walk depending on the weather, your physical ability, and popular times of day/year. On a sunny day especially, the view of Durdle Door is incredible from here (as are the famous white cliffs); the water looks almost Mediterranean! If you're from the US: carry in, carry out when visiting. If you're from the UK: respect, protect, collect when visiting. SIDE NOTE: if you're going to Lulworth Cove, there are boats (Jurassic Rib Rides, I think?) that will actually bring you up close and personal with the Durdle Door archway if you'd like a more intimate experience/different perspective!

Not to be confused with that place where I got fondled by fellow tourists (Diddle Door), nor the…read morestreet artists' convention (held at Doodle Door), and don't get me started on JK Rowling because I don't even know any of the character names (especially not Dumble Door). Simply one of the most beautiful places in the world and filled with memories for me of a long time ago when I had a best friend that I thought nothing could ever take away. I was wrong and in time we learn that we are wrong about many things that we never even doubted in our infinite lack of wisdom and foresight. Maybe that is what being young is all about. Thinking you know things when you know nothing. Maybe getting old is all about discovering you know nothing. Or, maybe it should be. Life can be very sad but you make the best of it and try to stay happy and do what you think is best for yourself and for those around you and that's all you can do. It's been a long time since I came to Durdle Door. I'll never forget it and it will always have beautiful, haunting memories for me. It's one of those breathtaking, moving, surreal natural wonders of the world where the rock formation has, over millions of years, created a little doorway sticking out into the ocean. It's not like the Grand Canyon, you know. Or Niagara. Think much smaller. It's a tiny little, understated, intimately beautiful place. It's UK-style grandeur, which is always understated and moving and unspoiled. Nothing like tourist spots in some parts of the world. I'm hoping to come again (to Durdle Door, that is), in 2019. I'll add some more pictures if and when I do. It's absolutely beautiful. It's a long hike to get down here and back up again but maybe that'll be good for you. Now I'm about to enter Barbie's apartment, so I'm gonna hang up on this review, and knock on her Double (D) Door.

This castle certainly has the 'wow' factor. A popular choice for weddings and receptions. They…read moreoften hold interesting exhibitions and the history of the place is fasinating. There is a lovely cafe that has been fairly recently renovated. There is a nice variety of lunches and afternoon teas to make your visit even enjoyable. The castle has been restored after some serious damage and looks simply stunning. As well as the castle and tearooms there are also some lovely walks and views across the coast. There is parking on site and some disabled parking spaces.

What a magnificent castle. Damaged by fire a few years ago it has pretty much been restored to its…read moreformer glory. Hosting weddings etc all year round it is well worth a visit.