There are so many amazing things to do and explore in and around the pretty village of Farnham in Dorset: from artisan breweries, landscaped gardens and castles, to chocolate box villages and the glorious Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Choose a category to start discovering our favourites:

Food & Drink

Culture & Heritage

Walks & Nature

Activities & Days Out

Food & Drink

Cranborne Manor Garden Centre

The cafe is the hub of Cranborne Garden Centre, a small private garden centre set in the pretty walled gardens of Cranborne House and specialising in old fashioned roses. The cafe is the perfect place to relax with a cappuccino, cake or other fresh homemade goodies. It is renowned for stocking freshly baked bread and tempting treats from local bakers 'Let Them Eat' and draws devotees from afar!

Cranborne Stores

Cranborne Stores has revived the tradition of the village shop. Formerly a bakery, the shop now provides an extensive selection of fresh and local produce including meat and seasonal game. The delicatessen counter offers a wide selection of English cheeses, home-baked pies, cold meats and pastries – perfect for anyone setting off with a picnic.

Sixpenny Brewery, Sixpenny Handley

On a picturesque farm in Sixpenny Handley, Sixpenny Brewery produces a range of quality cask ales using only the finest ingredients, including traditionally floor malted Maris Otter Barley. The ‘Sixpenny Tap’ is their Good Beer Guide listed shop and bar where you can try and buy range of ales onsite - to drink in or takeaway!

Hall & Woodhouse Brewery, Blandford St Mary

Hall & Woodhouse is one of the last remaining family brewers - producing and serving award-winning Badger ales across Southern England for over 230 years. The Brewery’s tours are unique, you’ll not only be taken back to the brewery’s creation in 1777, but soak up the atmosphere of a working brewery, by tasting the malt, smelling the hops and watching your favourite pint of Badger being crafted!

Pythouse Kitchen Garden, West Hatch

For a relaxed day out, visit the Pythouse Kitchen Garden at West Hatch. The 18th century walled garden and Victorian kitchen garden produces fruit and a wide variety of vegetables; everything grown here is sold in the small shop and appears on the menu in the appropriately rustic café: The monthly Saturday 'Pytfire Suppers' often feature Pythouse's own organic lamb or beef.

Dorset Game Larder, Shapwick

All types of game are sourced from local Dorset Shoots, as well as their own farm shoots, then the game is plucked or butchered and packed and sold through independent butchers and local farm shops, including Game Larder's small shop at Crab Farm near Shapwick.

Stable & Wick Bakery & Farm Shop, Downton

Set up by mother and daughter duo Emma and Louise during Covid when both their jobs came to a halt, this beautiful rustic farm shop is a must-visit for when you are in the area as they are growing their wonderful local produce everyday. You'll discover fresh fruit and vegetables, local meats and dairy, delicious homemade delicacies and more.

The Copper Bean Chocolate Co., Downton

“We are a company that started with a family that loves that little bite of chocolate. So in the boredom of lockdown, we turned to our family favourite, thinking how hard can it be. After tasting many roasted beans, unsure if this is what they are supposed to taste like, or praying over a grinder hoping it turned gritty bitterness into smooth goodness, came a product that surpassed our expectations. A product worth sharing. We wanted to be sure that we were using organic beans sourced sustainably from small farm holders. Essentially, we want to give you ethical and high quality chocolate so you can indulge guilt free.” Imo Peebles

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Culture & Heritage

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Classically English, Gold Hill in Shaftesbury is one of Britain's most famous landmarks. The steep street, lined by rows of picturesque cottages, is still remembered for a much-loved television advert for Hovis, directed by Ridley Scott. Thomas Hardy, Dorset's most famous son, is also associated with Shaftesbury and among the town's many attractions are two fascinating heritage museums.

Kingston Lacy, Wimborne

Magnificent Kingston Lacy, in Wimborne, is described by the National Trust as an Italian palace in the heart of Dorset. Inside you’ll find paintings by Rubens, Titian and Tintoretto and the largest private collection of Egyptian artefacts in the UK.

Fisherton Mill Gallery, Salisbury

Built in 1880 as a grain mill Fisherton Mill is one of the south's largest independent art galleries, set in a vibrant and beautiful venue comprising three floors of painting, sculpture, furniture makers, ceramics, textiles, metalwork and contemporary craft. There is also an outdoor seasonal exhibition area, studio workshops and café.

Tisbury Tithe Barn

Located on the eastern edge of Tisbury is this splendid thatched 15th-century tithe barn. At nearly 200 feet in length it may be the largest in England, and forms part of medieval Place Farm, once the property of the Abbess of Shaftesbury. Restored in recent years it is now owned by Messums Wiltshire, is a leading multi-purpose gallery and arts centre.

Old Wardour Castle, Tisbury

The romantic ruins of this 14th-century stronghold may seem miles from civilisation and hidden from the rest of the world, but that is part of Old Wardour Castle’s charm. Overlooking woods and a lake, it will come as no surprise to learn the site was one of the locations chosen for the 1991 Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood; Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner.

Wilton House, Wilton

Home of the Earls of Pembroke, Wilton House was designed by Inigo Jones in the 17th century, replacing the original house, which was destroyed by fire, and later remodelled by James Wyatt. Inside is the Double Cube Room, which contains a famous collection of Van Dyck paintings. Look out, too, for the former riding school, a Tudor kitchen and a Victorian laundry.

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Walks & Nature

Larmer Tree Gardens, Tollard Royal

Just a short drive from the Museum Inn on the glorious Cranborne Chase, these gardens offer a breathtaking assortment of horticultural riches. In addition to camellias, rhododendrons and a striking hydrangea collection, there are ornate buildings, peacocks and macaws.

Cranborne Chase

Farnham is situated in Cranborne Chase an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which features rolling chalk grassland, ancient woodlands, chalk escarpments, downland hillsides and chalk river valleys, each with a distinct and recognisable character. The area is dotted with historic villages, nationally important wildlife sites and quiet country lanes.

Stourhead, Mere

Acknowledged as one of Europe's finest landscaped parkland gardens, Stourhead is managed by the National Trust. The gardens serve as a perfect example of the English landscape style, and the lake is a picture at any time of the year. The autumn colours here are a real treat.

Walking

Looking for a place to go for a walk, then head to Win Green, the highest point in the Cranborne Chase, which offers panoramic views stretching all the way to the coast, or try Ashmore Wood, where trails wend their way through ancient semi-natural woodland, plantation conifers and hazel coppice. Two ancient hillforts - Badbury Rings and Hambledon Hill - are close by and worth the climb.

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Activities & Days Out

Rushmore Golf Club, Tollard Royal

An 18-hole championship golf course situated in Rushmore Park on Cranborne Chase, a part of the world renowned for its fine beechwoods, rolling grassland and sense of solitude. Unusually, nine holes are in Dorset, while the remaining nine are to be found in neighbouring Wiltshire. The course offers stunning scenery, from ancient parkland to views of the south coast and the Isle of Wight.

Ballooning, Larmer Tree Gardens

Begin at the famous Larmer Tree Gardens on Cranborne Chase and enjoy stunning views of Wessex and southwest Wiltshire from the air. The trip usually lasts between three and four hours and offers a rare opportunity to see this vast landscape, known for its ancient sites and enigmatic crop circles, from a totally different perspective. An exhilarating experience!

Wilderness Survival Skills, East Woodyates

Escape from the comfort and convenience of the modern world and learn all about the harsh reality of life in the wilderness, discovering the skills required to navigate and survive in places that are beyond our imagination. For example, do you know how to light a fire in all weathers or build a waterproof shelter from natural materials? These fascinating survival courses offer the chance to find out and to experience something completely different.

Horse Racing at Salisbury

One of the oldest courses in England, there’s been racing here at Salisbury since the 16th century – it’s a very picturesque flat racing course set in the Wiltshire downland, with a spectacular view of Salisbury Cathedral.

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Last updated: 22.01.21

Photo credit: Shutterstock (Matt Gibson - Kingston Lacy/Fabio Reis - Stourhead); Unsplash