Local Sites Of Interest

Beaminster
3.5 miles away. This small town can be reached by footpath. A very attractive town, Beaminster is primarily built from local creamy orange limestone and it is well worth exploring the side streets to see the handsome houses and cottages and an outstanding Church.

Mapperton Manor House
this Tudor Manor House is 2 miles from Hooke Court along a bridle way and is the present home of the Earl of Sandwich. Groups, by prior arrangement, can tour the house and gardens. There is a splendid collection of paintings.

Golden Cap Estate
Golden Cap, just west of Bridport, is the highest cliff on the south coast of England. It gets its name from the exposed Greensand on the seaward side of the hill. Much of this greensand has been eroded away, now only capping the cliffs, otherwise the area is clay and limestone. The walks and views are magnificent.

Charmouth and Lyme Regis
Charmouth Heritage Centre has an excellent display of fossils. The warden introduces groups to the displays in the Centre and then accompanies groups along the shore where you are guaranteed to find fossils. Follow this up with a practical session at Hooke Court. Lyme Regis  also has an aquarium, specialising in local species, and a life boat station. It is very reasonably priced and makes a super visit to be combined with Charmouth Heritage Centre or other visits within Lyme.

West Bay & Chesil Beach
A fishing village, less than 2 miles from Bridport, West Bay marks the end of Chesil Beach, a bank of shingle stretching for 18 miles from West Bay to Portland.

Bridport
A bright, cheerful country town, with wayside stalls on market days - Saturday and Wednesday. Its narrow byways and broad main streets are a legacy of the old days when Bridport was a main centre for the making of ropes and nets. Bridport’s Museum is open all year and is said to be haunted - apparently many visitors get to the first floor then leave straight away without looking further!

Abbotsbury & The Swannery
This is a traditional Dorset village set in the heart of Dorset’s countryside. The Swannery is home for the only managed colony of mute swans in the world that can be visited during nesting time. There is also the oldest working duck decoy in the country. Groups may have a guided tour with the swan herdsman - a particularly worthwhile visit in the summer when the chicks are hatching.

Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens 
Covers 20 acres of natural woodland and has many rare and record breaking plants and trees.

Weymouth
This traditional seaside town has many places to visit and also is one of Europe’s cleanest and safest beaches. You can have a donkey ride along the beach or sit back and enjoy a Punch and Judy show. There is also an unspoilt seventeenth century harbour. Here you can see many fishing boats, yachts, cruisers and sometimes even Tall Ships.

The Timewalk
Take a journey through time, see the horrors of the Black Death, walk the boards of a Spanish Galleon and experience the smugglers den amongst other scenes. The exhibition goes through 6 Centuries of Weymouth’s famous maritime past.

The Sea Life Centre
Has many exciting and unusual displays of British marine creatures in their natural environment. There is also a fascinating display of Tropical Sharks from the Pacific Ocean which cruise by at eye level. Guided tours can be arranged. Resource packs and worksheets are available along with ideas for use of the centre in the classroom. Teachers are also welcome to a free preview visit. Sea labs, touch pools and picnic area are available.

Tropical Jungle
Included in the entry fee into the Sealife Centre this section contains dozens of brilliantly coloured tropical birds flying around in a reconstructed rain forest. There are also lizards, spiders and insects.

Radipole & Lodmoor Nature Reserves
Both owned by the RSPB, school groups can have a guided tour or visit on their own. A variety of topics can be investigated such as wetlands, food chains and webs and habitats.

Dorchester
This historic Roman town has great potential for investigations into ancient history. Directed at the discovery of Dorchester’s past there are varied trails around the town. Visits can be made to the Roman Town House and Dorchester’s old Crown Court, scene of the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Dorset County Museum is well worth a visit. An education officer is available for groups if booked in advance. There is also a nature trail exploring the River Frome. There are several other museums/exhibitions within the town.

Iron Age Hill Forts
Approximately 3 miles from Dorchester are the remains of the great hill fort - Maiden Castle. Nearer to Hooke can be found the remains of Eggardon Castle, another Iron Age hill fort with staggering views.