Spurwing Guest House, offering b&b accommodation in Wareham, is ideally located for visiting 8 National Trust attractions.

We highly recommend visiting one or more of these 8 National Trust attractions, especially if you are a National Trust member.

1.Brownsea Island (10 miles away)

Brownsea Island is reached by a short ferry journey (20 minutes) from Poole Quay. There are walking trails to follow, viewpoints to embrace, water sports, hides in The Lagoon to watch bird life, the Villano Café and, if you’re lucky, red squirrels!

Please refer to our blog ‘Brownsea Island owned by the National Trust’.

2.Studland Bay (14 miles away)

A four-mile stretch of golden sandy beach with gentle bathing waters, water sports and views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight. The beaches at Studland are called Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach.

Please refer to our blog ‘3 Beaches near our Dorset B&B’.

3.Old Harry’s Rock (9 miles away)

Standing tall at the southern end of Studland Bay, Old Harry’s Rock is one of the most famous landmarks on the South Coast. The chalk formations are part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. There is a moderate walking trail from Studland Bay South Beach car park to Old Harry’s Rock with Celtic earthworks and plenty of wildlife along the way.

Please refer to the National Trust website for the trail route ‘Old Harry Rocks Walk’.

4.Corfe Castle (5 miles away)

This impressive medieval castle stands on top of a 55m high mound and can be seen from all around. William the Conqueror ordered the castle to be built in 1086, and it remained under the ownership of the royal family until it was sold into private hands in 1572. Over time it witnessed its fair share of gruesome and ghostly happenings, and in 1646 during the Civil War, when owned by the Bankes family, it sadly became a ruin.

Please refer to our blog ‘Corfe Castle near our Dorset B&B’.

5.Kingston Lacy (10 miles away)

Originally Kingston Lacy was built to replace the Bankes’ existing home at Corfe Castle which was demolished during the Civil War in England in 1646. It boasts 8,500 acres of estate featuring Iron Age forts, colourful heathland, and water meadows. Around 1834, the late William John Bankes made dramatic changes to the house, and had it built to resemble a Venetian Palace. He created the house we know today! It is home to the oldest gentry collection of paintings in Britain.

Please refer to our blog ‘Kingston Lacy belonging to the National Trust’.

6.TE Lawrence’s Clouds Hill (8 miles away)

TE Lawrence, also known as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, was a well-known soldier, writer and historian. He joined the Tank Corps at nearby Bovington and bought Clouds Hill. Surrounded by acres of rhododendrons and bird calls, Lawrence’s ‘hut’ allowed him to enjoy reading and writing as well as being host to guests including Thomas Hardy. Tragically he died in a motorcycle accident in 1935.

Please refer to our blog ‘TE Lawrence’s Time in Dorset’.

7.Thomas Hardy’s Cottage (16 miles away)

Thomas Hardy is Dorset’s most celebrated writer. Nestled beside Thorncombe Wood in beautiful Dorset countryside, Hardy’s Cottage was his birthplace, childhood home and playground. As well as viewing the inside of this beautiful cottage, there are also walking routes to explore and discover its special location. A visit to Hardy’s Cottage is a must for any Hardy book enthusiasts!

Please refer to our blog ‘Exploring Thomas Hardy’s Dorset’.

8.Thomas Hardy’s Max Gate (15 miles away)

Thomas Hardy designed Max Gate and had it built for himself and his wife Emma Gifford in 1885. This was his town house, and where he wrote Tess of the D’Urbervilles. He lived in this house until his death in 1928. Like Hardy’s Cottage, most of the furniture, although not of the family, is from that time. A visit to Max Gate is a must for any Hardy book enthusiasts!

Please refer to our blog ‘Exploring Thomas Hardy’s Dorset’.

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