From the journal · 2016-08-19
Special Interest Tours
Military, Naval and Motor History
Discover England Tours offers those of you interested in military history a world class selection of museums, attractions and locations from the worlds largest collections of tanks to H.M.S. Victory in the Historic Dockyard Portsmouth. Other locations include: Royal Signals museum, military museums in Salisbury and Winchester, Submarine museum Gosport and the Fleet Air Arm museum
For motor enthusiasts we can offer the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and Haynes Motor Museum.
Steam Railways and Steam power
Steam Railways (full scale)
The following links will take you to the websites of steam railways in our area.
Swanage steam railway
West Somerset railway
Mid-Hampshire line (The Watercress Line)
Isle of Wight railway
East Somerset railway
Narrow Gauge, small scale lines, tramlines and static steam engines
Moors Valley
Pecorama - home to the famous PECO model railway exhibition and the Beer Heights light railway
Exbury Gardens steam railway
Royal Victoria railway
Seaton Tramway
Crofton Beam Engine
Horse Riding
Susy recommends riding at Studland Stables who offer riding in beautiful and varied countryside, including Dorset heathland, the cliff tops at Old Harry Rocks and on the sands of Studland beach. Good quality mounts with the option of English or Western style riding. Or try the all-day pub ride to Corfe Castle. A wonderful experience awaits you.
We also have Loose Reins Western Style riding centre in Shillingstone. Loose Reins have some of the most beautiful Western riding trails around. Loose Reins sits in the foothills of the Wessex Ridgeway in the heart of beautiful Dorset and surrounded by ‘big country’ views. Escape, relax and explore your pioneer spirit with Loose Reins trail riding on highly trained American Quarter horses
Walking
In the county of Dorset where we are situated there are over 2500 miles of public footpaths and trails open to the public 365 days of the year. We can offer you a wide range of walks from beautiful green rolling countryside to cliffs and coast walks. Depending on your preference we can drop you at the start and pick you up at the other end of a walk or walk with you all the way. We also provide maps and mobile phones just in case you loose your way.
It really is a great way to see the countryside giving you the opportunity to “get local” and learn about the history, geology, agriculture, botany and bird life as you walk with your guide. Take a look at the Rural Dorset website and be inspired to pack your walking boots.
Cycling
For those of you that like to cycle while on vacation we have some great places for you to visit. Get away from the traffic and take in the beautiful scenery of the New Forest along the many forest tracks. Or, if you prefer your cycling on the flat we can take you to the Kennet and Avon canal towpath where you can cycle for miles without encountering a single hill! Other attractions of the tow path are the many pubs and tea-rooms along it’s banks where you can stop for refreshments and enjoy the slow pace of canal life.
See the links below for more details:
Cycling in the New Forest
Rural Dorset cycling
Kennet and Avon Canal cycleway and other routes around Bath
Bird Watching
We have a wide diversity of habitats from sea cliffs, lowland marshes and wetland to dry heathland in our area that support an impressive range of birdlife. To find out more take a look at the links below.
RSPB reserves - Arne, Radipole Lake, Lodmoor Nature reserve,
West Sedgemoor
Brownsea Island Nature reserve
Durlston Country Park
Local places to watch birds
Antiques, Auctions & local Crafts
For keen antique collectors we have a number of antique destinations from large warehouses with multi-sellers to small antique shops tucked way in the small towns of Dorset and the surrounding counties. One of the largest in the area can be found at Wimborne market where a treasure trove awaits the keen eyed buyer.
We can also take you to local auction houses to find those real bargains, depending on the sale days available.
Throughout the summer the villages and small towns of Dorset are noted for holding fetes and craft shows at weekends where high quality produce and gifts can be purchsed direct from local artisans including a wide variety of foods, wood turning, woollen goods etc.