Telephone: 01258 472507
Towns worthy of a visit whilst you’re with us include Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum, Dorchester, Beaminster and Cerne Abbas, home of the famous giant. Thomas Hardy wrote his novel ‘Return of the Native’ whilst living in Sturminster Newton in Riverside, a stone mansion on the edge of town. Here there’s the 15th century mediaeval bridge, with six arches over the River Stour, that still carries the penalty of ‘Transportation for Life’ for anyone who damages it. The bridge is the one featured in Hardy’s poem ‘On Sturminster Bridge’. The village of Cranborne on nearby Cranborne Chase is Hardy’s village of Chaseborough. The Hardy Heritage Trail is well worth following.
We are also fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful Blackmore Vale countryside and you may enjoy one of the delightful walks, which start in nearby Sturminster Newton and take in the surrounding area.
The famous Dorset coast beckons, especially Lulworth and Studland, only a short drive away. During the summer, there’s racing at Salisbury and during the winter there’s racing at Wincanton and many enjoy following the local hunts, such as the Portman, Blackmore and Sparkford Vale and the South and West Wilts. The Great Dorset Steam Fair is even worth a short break away at Plumber Manor, as is Dorset Opera and the UK International Boogie Woogie Festival; not to be missed if you’re in the area.
There are some superb historic houses to visit whilst you are with us, including Mapperton, Wilton House, Longleat House and Safari Park, Athelhampton, Milton Abbey, Melplash and Parnham. You might also be interested in the Bovington Tank Museum, the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Larmer Tree Gardens, the Salisbury International Arts Festival, the Plush Music Festival and the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival.
Plumber Manor is also a favourite with the parents of children attending the local independent schools, including Bryanston, Clayesmore School, Hanford School for Girls, Sherborne School for Boys and Sherborne School for Girls, Milton Abbey, Port Regis, St Antony’s Leweston, St Mary’s, Shaftesbury and Canford.
There are beauty salons as well as gym and spa facilities nearby that we can recommend.
If you would like to consider exclusive use of Plumber Manor, please either complete the enquiry form or call us on 01258 472507.