Salisbury 14.3 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Salisbury - 14.3 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Superbly situated in southern England’s rural heartland, few destinations can match the amazing diversity of Salisbury.
On the ‘must see’ list is Salisbury Cathedral, but the less well known and equally lovely stately homes, beautiful gardens, lively farm parks and award-winning museums are definitely worth a visit.
Salisbury has plenty of characterful buildings – some dating back to the 13th century – and a wide range of pubs, restaurants and tea rooms. A choice of arts and culture venues complement individual shops and regular street markets, and outside the city you will find charming country towns and villages with plenty of opportunities for great walking and cycling.
To cap it all, Salisbury is easily accessible with good road and rail links, making it the perfect choice for a great day out.
Stonehenge 12.9 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Stonehenge - 12.9 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Stonehenge has recently been voted ‘Britain’s Best Historic Site’ by viewers of the UK TV History Channel.
Stonehenge was erected between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC by no less than three different cultures and its orientation on the rising and setting sun has always been one of its remarkable features. Whether this was simply because the builders came from a sun worshipping culture, or because – as some scholars believe – the circle and its banks were part of a huge astronomical calendar, remains a mystery to this day.
Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stonehenge is surrounded by the remains of ceremonial and domestic structures, some older than the monument itself. Altogether, the site covers some 2,600 hectares and comprises over 400 scheduled monuments.
Stourhead 12.3 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Stourhead - 12.3 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Stourhead House and Gardens on the Wiltshire-Somerset border is the perfect day out for everyone. A breathtaking 18th century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes and classical temples is only the beginning.
Between March and October you can visit Stourhead House, a Palladian mansion with fantastic regency library and beautiful art collection. And why not climb the 205 steps to the top of King Alfred’s Tower, an amazing red-brick folly, for vistas over Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, or explore one of our Iron Age hill forts. There is also a large National Trust shop, restaurant, art gallery, pub and farm shop for you to enjoy.
Sherborne 30.8 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Sherborne - 30.8 miles from Fonthill Bishop
The town of Sherborne is crammed with historic interest with 17th, 18th and 19th century architecture set in unspoilt streets. Medieval buildings abound in the town, the most important of which are The Almshouse of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist; The 15th Century Conduit House and The Julian, an early 16th Century house originally the hospice of St Julian of Norwich.
The town also has an excellent small museum with many local artefacts and Purse Candle Manor as well as Sandford Orcas Manor are both of interest. A must see are the Abbey Church & Sherborne Castle.
Shaftesbury 9.3 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Shaftesbury - 9.3 miles from Fonthill Bishop
Steeped in history and tradition, Shaftesbury offers visitors breathtaking views and the warmest of welcomes. The “Shaston” of Thomas Hardy’s novels, Shaftesbury is one of the oldest and highest towns in England and dominates what Hardy called the “engirdled and secluded” Blackmore Vale.
The beauty of the surrounding Dorset countryside is complemented by the collection of fine historical buildings that make up the centre of Shaftesbury itself.
Gold Hill, made famous by the Hovis Bread advertisement, with its steep cobbles and picturesque cottages is the epitome of rural charm from a previous time.