Blandford’s location in the heart of North Dorset makes it the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful countryside and historic buildings of Dorset and its neighbouring counties.
The town lies at the junction of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). To the north and east, the Cranborne Chase AONB extends across the boundaries of Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Its diverse landscape includes areas of rolling chalk grassland, ancient woodlands, chalk escarpments, downland hillsides and chalk river valleys each with a distinct and recognisable character.
To the south and west, the Dorset AONB stretches along the coast from Lyme Regis in the west to Poole and Swanage in the east. Perhaps less well-known is the beautiful inland countryside of west Dorset, with its chalk downlands, meandering streams and iron age hill forts.
The Dorset Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK, working with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspiring local communities and young people to care for wildlife. Of the more than 40 nature reserves managed by the DWT, 10 are within about 10 miles of Blandford.
Blandford is an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area on foot, horseback or by bicycle. The National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 25, linking Bournemouth to Longleat mainly on minor roads, passes through the centre of the town. The traffic-free North Dorset trailway follows the route of the old railway line for 12 miles from Blandford north-west to Sturminster Newton. This also forms part of the White Hart Link, a 50 mile circular walking route connecting the five market towns of North Dorset (Blandford, Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Stalbridge and Sturminster Newton) and the villages in between. To the south-east there is a short traffic-free stretch of the trailway between Blandford St Mary to Spetisbury, but the on-road NCN 25 route to Wimborne via Shapwick is generally quiet and ideal for cycling.
Please follow the links below for more information, and see our Eating and Drinking and Shops and Services pages for refreshments and local produce in the villages and countryside.
National Trust and English Heritage properties
Hod Hill (3 miles): Dorset’s largest hill fort, renowned for its downland wildlife (NT).
Hambledon Hill (4 miles): Iron Age hill fort with far reaching views and spectacular wildflowers (NT).
Badbury Rings (5.5 miles): Iron Age hill fort and Scheduled Monument (NT).
White Mill (6 miles): Corn mill with original wooden machinery in a peaceful riverside setting (NT).
Kingston Lacy (6.5 miles): country house with wide-ranging gardens and woodland walks (NT).
Fontmell and Melbury Downs (7.5 miles): Open expanses of flowery downland and far-reaching views (NT).
Fiddleford Manor (8 miles): A small stone manor house with outstandingly fine timber roofs (EH).
Win Green (9 miles): The highest hill in the Cranborne Chase, with views from the Blackmore Vale to the Isle of Wight (NT).
Knowlton Church and Earthworks (12 miles): An atmospheric ruined medieval church at the centre of a Neolithic ritual earthwork (EH).
Clouds Hill (13.5 miles): This tiny cottage was the home of T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia (NT).
Old Wardour Castle (18 miles): 14th century ruined castle beside a peaceful lake in the Wiltshire countryside (EH).
Sherborne Old Castle (21 miles): The ruins of a grand castle built in the 12th century by the Bishop of Salisbury (EH).
For more information about places to visit in the Blandford area and further afield, please go to Visit-Dorset.com.
Please note that inclusion on this website does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by Blandford Information Centre. Whilst we do our best to ensure that the information given is correct and up-to-date, we are not responsible or liable for any loss or damage resulting from its use.
Page updated: March 2023