Andrea's Farm Breaks

Don’t spend hols just looking at Corfe Castle – it’s only five minutes’ drive from base to clamber about the crumbling millennium-old ruin that’s one of the UK’s best survivors of the English Civil War. Historical curiosity piqued? It’ll be easily satisfied with stops at the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum (10 minutes), Durlston Castle and Country Park (20 minutes), Clavell Tower and Lulworth Castle (both about 25 minutes away), and Upton Country Park (30 minutes). For history with a Hollywood angle, the site’s also within 25 minutes of Clouds Hill, the modest home of TE Lawrence, who’s perhaps better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Days among animals are within easy reach of base too: it’s 20 minutes to birdwatching at RSPB Arne, and 25 minutes to both Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre and Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park. Time spent in urban centres can handily be confined to Swanage explores (15 minutes), with plenty of shops to sort souvenirs in, as well as bars and restaurants, golf, a pier and indoor amusements.