The first thing you notice about Kingston Lacy is that it doesn’t look like a typical English manor. After the family’s original home, Corfe Castle, was destroyed in the Civil War, they built this new seat to be the height of fashion. Inside, the house is a masterclass in opulence. The Spanish Room is a highlight, featuring walls covered in gilded leather and a ceiling imported directly from a Venetian palace. You’ll also find works by Rubens, Van Dyck, and Titian hanging in the galleries, making it a must-visit for art lovers.
Kingston Lacy holds one of the most important collections of Egyptian antiquities in the UK. This is thanks to William John Bankes, an adventurous explorer and friend of Lord Byron. On the South Lawn stands a massive, 2,000-year-old stone obelisk brought back from the island of Philae. Inside the house, you can explore an entire room dedicated to Egyptian artifacts, including bronze cats and ancient papyrus scrolls that helped early scholars decipher hieroglyphics.
The gardens at Kingston Lacy are as diverse as the house.
The Japanese Garden: Created in the early 1900s, this is a serene space filled with authentic stone lanterns, a tea house, and a winding stream. It is particularly beautiful in May when the azaleas are in bloom.
The Kitchen Garden: A massive, productive space that still supplies the on-site café. Walk through the Victorian greenhouses and see the heritage varieties of apples, pears, and vegetables being grown just as they were a century ago.
Beyond the formal fences, the Kingston Lacy estate covers thousands of acres of Dorset farmland. It is home to a famous herd of Red Ruby Devon Cattle, which you will often see grazing in the parkland. For those who love to hike, the estate includes Badbury Rings, an Iron Age hill fort with spectacular views across the county. Whether you are there for the high-end art or a muddy woodland walk with the kids, Kingston Lacy offers a complete day out.
Knoll Beach is purpose-built for a stress-free day by the sea. The water here is famously calm and shallow, warming up nicely in the summer sun and providing a safe environment for young children to splash and swim. With a fantastic café, a well-stocked National Trust shop (in case you forgot your sunscreen or bucket), and clean shower facilities right on the edge of the sand, parents can truly relax while the kids play.
If you prefer a more active day out, Knoll Beach is the premier spot for water sports in the bay. During the summer, you can hire kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and pedalos directly from the beach. Because the bay is sheltered from the prevailing winds by the Purbeck Hills and Old Harry Rocks, the water is often as flat as a lake, making it the perfect place for beginners to find their balance on a paddleboard.
It is important for visitors to know that the northern end of Knoll Beach (walking left as you face the sea, heading towards Shell Bay) is one of the most famous and historic designated naturist beaches in the UK. It has been an official clothing-optional area since the 1920s. The area is very clearly signposted on the beach and through the dunes, so you will not wander into it accidentally! It is a peaceful, highly respected section of the beach managed perfectly in harmony with the surrounding family areas.
Don’t just stick to the sand! Immediately behind Knoll Beach lies a stunning mature pine woodland and the vast expanse of the Studland heathland. You can follow marked trails directly from the visitor centre to explore this rare habitat, keeping an eye out for Dartford warblers, sand lizards, and perhaps even a grazing Sika deer.
The true magic of Compton Acres lies in its clever, circular design. Rather than a single sprawling landscape, the ten acres are divided into distinct, immersive “rooms.” As you follow the winding paths, the scenery shifts dramatically, transporting you from the formal elegance of Europe to the tranquil aesthetics of Asia in a matter of minutes.
The two most famous sections of Compton Acres are undoubtedly the Italian and Japanese gardens.
The Italian Garden: Experience the grandeur of a Roman villa’s grounds. This perfectly symmetrical space features a stunning ornamental pool, classical bronze and marble statues, and immaculate, formal flower beds. It is a favorite spot for weddings and offers a truly regal atmosphere.
The Japanese Garden: Widely regarded as one of the best of its kind in the UK. Constructed using authentic stone ornaments imported from Japan in the 1920s, it features a traditional tea house, cascading waterfalls, and stepping stones across a pond filled with massive, colorful Koi carp.
Contrasting with the formal gardens are the wilder, more naturalistic areas of the estate. The Wooded Valley takes advantage of the natural Dorset landscape, offering winding woodland paths shaded by mature pine trees and punctuated by dramatic waterfalls. Meanwhile, the Heather Garden showcases a spectacular array of resilient plants that thrive in the local sandy soil, offering a carpet of purple and pink hues that looks spectacular even in the colder months.
You don’t even need to pay garden admission to enjoy the fantastic facilities at the entrance. The CafĂ© & Tea Rooms is a popular local spot for a high-quality lunch or a traditional cream tea. If you feel inspired by your walk, the Plant Centre is incredibly well-stocked, allowing you to buy some of the very species you just admired. There is also a curated gift shop featuring local Dorset crafts, homeware, and artisanal foods.
If you ask a Sandbanks local where to find the best view in the area, they won’t point you toward the beach—they’ll point you toward Evening Hill. This iconic viewpoint sits on a gentle ridge overlooking the entrance to the Sandbanks peninsula, providing a 180-degree vista that captures the very best of the Dorset coast.
Photographers from across the South Coast flock here to capture the “perfect sunset.” From this elevated position, you can see the entire expanse of Poole Harbour, with Brownsea Island sitting proudly in the center and the silhouette of the Purbeck Hills in the far distance. During the late afternoon, the light hits the water at a perfect angle, creating a shimmering “path of gold” that is a dream to capture on camera.
Evening Hill isn’t just a place for quiet reflection; it’s a front-row seat to the activity of the harbour. On a windy day, the waters below are filled with the vibrant colors of kitesurfers and windsurfers performing stunts in the shallow waters of Whitley Lake. You’ll also see the massive Channel Island ferries and sleek Sunseeker yachts gliding through the main shipping channel, making it a fascinating spot for boat-watchers of all ages.
The hill features a large, well-maintained grassy slope that is perfect for spreading out a blanket. Many visitors pick up fish and chips from nearby Lilliput or a fresh coffee from the Sandbanks kiosks and head here to enjoy their meal with a view that no restaurant can beat. It is a dog-friendly area, so it’s a common sight to see locals enjoying an evening walk with their pets while the sun goes down.
Just a stone’s throw from the luxury yachts and bustling beaches of the Sandbanks peninsula lies a completely different world. Stepping off the ferry onto Brownsea Island feels like stepping back in time. With 500 acres of pine woodland, heathland, and saltwater lagoons to explore, this car-free sanctuary is the ultimate antidote to the busy mainland.
Because the island is isolated from the mainland, it has become one of the most important nature reserves in southern England. The absolute highlight for most visitors is the thriving population of native Red Squirrels. Protected from the grey squirrels that dominate the rest of the UK, these rare, tufted-eared acrobats are frequently seen darting up the Scots pines or foraging on the woodland floor.
But the wildlife doesn’t stop in the trees. As you explore the island, keep your camera ready for:
Sika Deer: A shy but beautiful herd roams freely through the island’s clearings and heathland.
Free-Roaming Peacocks: Usually found strutting around the historic church and visitor centre near the quay, adding a splash of vibrant color to the green landscape.
The Lagoon Flock: The northern part of the island features a protected saltwater lagoon with dedicated viewing hides. Depending on the season, it is a spectacular spot to watch huge flocks of Avocets, Spoonbills, and Terns feeding in the shallows.
Beyond its natural beauty, Brownsea Island holds a unique place in global history. In August 1907, Lord Baden-Powell brought 20 boys from diverse backgrounds to camp on the island, testing his ideas for a new youth movement. This experimental trip became the birthplace of the worldwide Scout and Guide movement. Today, you can visit the very spot where they pitched their tents and view the commemorative stone that marks this historic site.
As you arrive, you will also be greeted by the striking sight of Brownsea Castle. Originally built by Henry VIII to protect Poole Harbour, the castle is now leased to the John Lewis Partnership. While the interior is not open to the public, its imposing exterior makes for a fantastic photo backdrop against the sparkling harbour waters.
Whether you are looking for a gentle post-lunch stroll or a full afternoon hike, Brownsea caters to every energy level. The island features a network of clearly marked, color-coded walking trails ranging from one to three miles.
Follow the coastal path for sweeping, panoramic views across the water to the Purbeck Hills and the Sandbanks peninsula.
Venture deeper into the pine and oak woodlands to find quiet, shaded clearings that are perfect for a peaceful picnic away from the main visitor hubs.