Turnpike Showground

Shaftesbury (10 minutes’ drive) should certainly be on the schedule for anyone that remembers the old Hovis advert, which was filmed on the town’s Gold Hill (or indeed anyone that likes good views, which are plentiful around the abbey and Castle Hill too). In fact there are good views galore around here: get set to snap a whole load of pics on wanders around the gorgeous grounds at Stourhead, pretty Larmer Tree Gardens and the ruins of Old Wardour Castle (all about 20 minutes’ drive). And best make sure there’s enough battery left for an outing to Stonehenge (35 minutes) too… If rural breaks aren’t complete without meeting some animals, set forth for the safari park at Longleat (half an hour) or make a date with the gentle giants at the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park (40 minutes). Hauser & Wirth’s vineyard and art gallery are about 25 minutes away, and it’s a similar drive to the Haynes International Motor Museum for the petrolheads in your life.