World famous landscaped gardens with a magnificent lake as centrepiece. Certainly worth a visit to see the classical temples, mystical grottoes and rare, exotic trees. Why not combine a walk around the garden with a visit to the house, restaurant and shop with opening time information available on their Web site.
A beautifully renovated chapel with bakery, winestore, bar, cafe and restaurant. Listed in the Times "best places for brunch" and well worth a visit.
The Village of Bourton is the most northerly in Dorset and sits on the banks of the river Stour. This pretty village has a store, pub and historic church. The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside with a great choice of footpaths to explore.
The menu is based on excellent local ingredients like line-caught fish, hand-dived shellfish, local game and seasonal vegetables.
A little but pretty market town in the Somerset countryside, full of little, unique shops and ancient market buildings. It's a quiet town, with lots of history to discover in the stone streets, home to one of only four ancient roundhouse lock-ups in the country. Walks abound with spectacular views and The Macmillan Way passing through the town centre.
Set in a beautiful, historic chapel, this snug tearoom now serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. The bread and cakes are baked daily and even the jam and preserves are homemade.
Want to grow your own veggies but never had the know how? Here's your chance to learn from an expert. Charles Dowding has been growing vegetables for over 29 years and runs day courses throughout the year from his farm. Dates are available on his Website.
A festival where everyone is welcome to enjoy alternative music, local produce and good honest fun, while raising a few pennies for charity.
Lots of music from varied bands, food tents and a children's area.
Noted for its connections to the famous oil painter John Constable, Gillingham is Dorset's most northerly town. You will find a good selection of independent shops and cafes here and easy access to Shaftesbury which is just five miles away.
A few years ago, the Classic Cottages team started writing about where we live and why we love it. Over time these have evolved into the Classic Guide.
2 January 2026
World famous landscaped gardens with a magnificent lake as centrepiece. Certainly worth a visit to see the classical temples, mystical grottoes and rare, exotic trees. Why not combine a walk around the garden with a visit to the house, restaurant and shop with opening time information available on their Web site.
A beautifully renovated chapel with bakery, winestore, bar, cafe and restaurant. Listed in the Times "best places for brunch" and well worth a visit.
The Village of Bourton is the most northerly in Dorset and sits on the banks of the river Stour. This pretty village has a store, pub and historic church. The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside with a great choice of footpaths to explore.
The menu is based on excellent local ingredients like line-caught fish, hand-dived shellfish, local game and seasonal vegetables.
A little but pretty market town in the Somerset countryside, full of little, unique shops and ancient market buildings. It's a quiet town, with lots of history to discover in the stone streets, home to one of only four ancient roundhouse lock-ups in the country. Walks abound with spectacular views and The Macmillan Way passing through the town centre.
Set in a beautiful, historic chapel, this snug tearoom now serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. The bread and cakes are baked daily and even the jam and preserves are homemade.
Want to grow your own veggies but never had the know how? Here's your chance to learn from an expert. Charles Dowding has been growing vegetables for over 29 years and runs day courses throughout the year from his farm. Dates are available on his Website.
A festival where everyone is welcome to enjoy alternative music, local produce and good honest fun, while raising a few pennies for charity.
Lots of music from varied bands, food tents and a children's area.
Noted for its connections to the famous oil painter John Constable, Gillingham is Dorset's most northerly town. You will find a good selection of independent shops and cafes here and easy access to Shaftesbury which is just five miles away.