Things to do in Dorset?

[shadow]

Hi all

I was hoping to get down to dorset for a holiday in August this year. I was just wondering what there was to do in dorset and I am hoping to get a very Blyton themed holiday without the other half realising. I've already got Corfe Castle / Eileen Soper world / brownsea island and (for the other half) Fleet air arm museum on the list. I was just wondering if there any other things not to be missed that are family friendly.

I was also wondering if the Enid Blyon birthday is going ahead at Corfe Castle (Viv?) and are there any beaches in the area which has caves that you can go into? Also does anyone have any recomendations for accomodation?

This could be the only year I'll get away with suggesting this holiday as its my 40th on 11th August, er no its my 30 10th, and as part of my birthday present I get to choose the holiday.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Lucky Star]

Sounds like a great trip Shadow. Swanage is a nice town to stay in. It was a favourite of Enid Blyton and is very near to Corfe, Brownsea and Poole. I was there a couple of years ago and had a lovely time walking along the cliffs and the pier from where Enid used to swim. I'm sure others will be able to suggest more specific attractions. Have a good time anyway.

[pete9012S]

Hi all

I was hoping to get down to dorset for a holiday in August this year. I was just wondering what there was to do in dorset and I am hoping to get a very Blyton themed holiday without the other half realising. .

Hi Shadow,
Have you read Duncan Mclarens book 'looking for Enid'?.......theres a chapter devoted to him going to Enids Dorset and following in her footsteps etc,could be good to read before you go or take it with you while youre there!
Regards
Pete

[Moonraker]

I was hoping to get down to dorset for a holiday in August this year. I was just wondering what there was to do in dorset

When in Dorset, you will probably be wishing you were in Wiltshire, meeting up with Tony and Nigel!

Have you read Duncan Mclarens book 'looking for Enid'?.......theres a chapter devoted to him going to Enids Dorset and following in her footsteps etc,could be good to read before you go or take it with you while youre there!

You've got a great sense of humour, Pete; next you'll be recommending Izzy's book!!!

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I was also wondering if the Enid Blyton birthday is going ahead at Corfe Castle .

Yes - Birthday Party on August 11th and willing helpers to promote the Society most welcome

I am also doing a walk on Brownsea on 24 August.

The most accessible caves (ex stone quarries) are at Winspit, south of Worth Matravers.

This weeks Big Objective was to get my website sorted out with all sorts of useful info, but the old one will still give you lots of ideas.

http://www.gingerpop.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Accomodation according to budget. There's some great campsites, the YHA is straight out of an adventure book, and for the very rich like Enid you could check out the Knoll House Hotel (which Julie tells me does a very fine cream tea!)

Make sure you tell me when you will be around so I can say hello

Viv

[Julie2owlsdene]

Hope you manage to get your holiday in Dorset, Shadow. The places mentioned so far are well worth a visit. Swanage is a lovely seaside town. For me it's like stepping back in time, as it's a real 50's seaside place with the sea right up to the roadway, and the bathing huts just opposite. If you like caravan parks, there are two very good ones at the top of Swanage with great sea views.

Corfe of course is well worth the visit, and looks very much like Kirrin Castle. And of course there is the steam railway which goes into Swanage. And Brownsea Island which is on your list, which was the setting for Five Have a Mystery to Solve. As Viv mentioned a trip to Studland will be worth it, and to call and have a cream tea at the Knoll House Hotel, which is where Enid herself used to stay. They have a bust of Enid in the Library room and along the hallway are pictures of her and her home Green Hedges and pictures of her books. Also opposite is a glass case of a Blyton collection.

Don't think there are too many caves though. I think you'll have to visit Cornwall for the smugglers caves

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I've found the link to this years Tourism Guide, which should help

http://www.purbeck-dc.gov.uk/pdf/Holida ... 202010.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Viv

[Moonraker]

I might have guessed that a thread about Dorset would have brought our Viv back into the fold! Seriously, the IoP is a fantastic area, Swanage is my all-time favourite resort, Corfe Castle is one of my favourite villages, Studland and the rest of the Isle are just such exciting places to explore. In fact, IoP apart, Dorset is a fab-u-lous county!

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I might have guessed that a thread about Dorset would have brought our Viv back into the fold! ]

I've signed up to Team Dorset - which is to promote Dorset before and after the Olympic sailing events at Weymouth in 2012.

Of course we know 2012 as the 70th anniversary of the Famous Five...

Viv

[Moonraker]

I might have guessed that a thread about Dorset would have brought our Viv back into the fold! ]

I've signed up to Team Dorset - which is to promote Dorset before and after the Olympic sailing events at Weymouth in 2012.

Of course we know 2012 as the 70th anniversary of the Famous Five...

One massive bonus, thanks to the Olympic sailing events is, I believe, the improvements to the road into Weymouth. Horrendous traffic jams on the last few miles into Weymouth should then be a thing of the past.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

If I hadn't gone down with the lurgy I'd have liked to have gone to the exhibition that was on earlier this week which showed some of the archaeology that has been found on the route - predominated by the decapitated remains of a Viking raiding party!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8563377.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's nice to know that the locals got one back occassionally!

Something that I like to do in Dorset and Wessex is visit all the Burgh towns. That is, the places that King Alfred fortified to protect his kingdom from the Vikings. Those who get stuck in traffic on the Wareham by-pass can admire the huge earthen embankments at the edge of the water-meadows, which are the Saxon town walls.

It is often forgotten that during this period that Dublin was the worlds largest slave market - that was Brits being taken back to Scandinavia. It was as a slave that St Patrick got taken from Wales to Ireland.

Had Winchester prevailed as the capital city everyone would be speaking Wessex English rather than London English. It would sound something like this - can you translate Dorset dialect?

http://people.bath.ac.uk/mlscdw/woaktree.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oooh-aaarrh

Viv

[Timmy254]

I've found the link to this years Tourism Guide, which should help

http://www.purbeck-dc.gov.uk/pdf/Holida ... 202010.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Viv

Thanks for the link, Viv!