In and around Moreton
Although it is a small village, Moreton has plenty of things to keep you entertained. It has one of the longest fords in England, a very popular place for young families to paddle in the river.
The Walled Garden is free to visit and you can have lunch or afternoon tea in the Dovecote Café.
Moreton is famous for its unusual church; St Nicholas' is exceptionally light and bright with its detailed etched glass windows. It is well worth a visit.
The cemetery is the burial place of the famed Lawrence of Arabia, who lived nearby at Cloud's Hill. Cloud's Hill is now run by the National Trust and is a 2 mile walk through the forest.
JURASSIC COASTLINE
The Jurassic coast stretches the length of Dorset, from pretty Lyme Regis, famous for fossil hunting in the west, all the way to the Isle of Purbeck in the east.
There are long sandy beaches, cliff top walks, stone quarries, busy harbours and pretty coves.
If you love the coast there is something for everyone: kayak tours, sea fishing, sailing or bucket and spade holidays. We are happy to guide you to the best spot for your favourite activity.
WALKING and WILDLIFE
Dorset is prime walking country with miles of dramatic coastline to the rolling hills inland and Moreton is an ideal placed to start.
Over the long bridge at Moreton Ford there are tracks and biking trails through heath and woodlands. Briantspuddle Heath is a regular spot for wildlife watchers.
The Dorset Jubilee Trail, an adventurous 90-mile walk from Forde Abbey on the Somerset border to Bokerley Dyke on the Hampshire border, passes right through Moreton.
And in the height of summer we like to feel the fresh coastal breeze on the Isle of Purbeck. Walk to Dancing Ledge and end up in the Square and Compass pub or hike from Ringstead Bay to the Smugglers Inn at Osmington.
RIVER
Moreton ford is a popular destination for families with a wide shallow river. The water isn't too deep so it's safe for toddlers to splash about and feed the ducks.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are some amazing cycle routes around Moreton that have kept our family entertained for years, with the majority of the routes being easy enough for your little ones, and a few interesting bits hidden away in the woods for the more confident riders (just ask and we'll show you).
For the road cyclists about, Dorset has miles of quiet roads through scenic countryside with beautiful views hidden around every bend. If you are up for a challenge, you can cycle over the ridge to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in less than an hour and enjoy a swim at this well known beauty spot.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Clouds Hill (National Trust) 2 miles
Bovington Tank Museum 3 miles
Monkey World 3 miles
Lulworth Cove and Durdle door 6 miles
Tolpuddle, home of the Martyrs museum 5 miles
Seaside town of Weymouth 11 miles
Food shopping:
Crossways - Co-op, post office 1.5 miles
Wool - Family bakery, Spar, local butcher 4 miles
Dorchester - Tesco, Waitrose, Market on Wednesdays 7 miles
Wareham - Sainsbury’s, Co-op,
Market on Saturday mornings 7 miles
Nearest pub:
Frampton Arms, at Moreton station is a 3 minute drive * Unfortunately we do not recommend walking to the pub, as it is along a busy main road.
Transport:
Moreton station is one mile away and there are hourly trains between London Waterloo and Weymouth.
We encourage sustainable travel. If you want to arrive by train we are happy to meet you at the station, but please let us know in advance as we do not recommend walking from the station.
