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.

The moment you set foot on the island you are impressed with the castle, as you get closer, it gets…read morebetter and better. The gardens are beautiful, it makes you feel inspired and great to be alive. once inside it is awesome, the wooden oak staircase and wall panels is like walking back through history. It makes you feel like royalty, strolling along the the magnificent hallway and through the drawing rooms and lounges,looking out of the many tall windows with splendid sea views, it is amazing.

Errr, hmm. The qype map is wrong. Worth Matravers is not in the north of Wareham, but twenty miles…read morefurther south! Shatter's Hill is a road that leads up on to the North Walls of Wareham. The walls are anglo saxon earthern mounds which were once supported by wooden poles, spiked ones I imagine. And I rather suspect that near the foot of Shatter's Hill was a gate, from earliest times. The River Piddle, a couple of yards furthr north forms a natural, if not great, defence. So does the Frome, to the south. Shatter's Hill is a fair climb, and you can still make out the advantage given to what used to be a hamlet by the walls. The North Wall gives a view overlooking the water meadows and common land beyond the River Piddle for quite a view miles, and this is the direction any enemy would approach by on foot/horse. The views are really pretty and the walls remain quite visible until you get to the west side of the town.

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.

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.

Quaint little cove with a pebble beach, excellent ice-cream shop and I recommend the tiramisu…read moreflavour :o) It's real picture postcard stuff!