Attractions and Places To See around Seaborough - Top 20

From the trig point at Pilsdon Pen summit, you get spectacular, wide-open views across Dorset. Looking south, the eye sweeps over the lush farmlands and rolling hills of the Marshwood Vale, extending all the way down to Bridport and the dramatic cliffs of the Jurassic Coast.

Gemini said If you find yourself in the rolling hills of West Dorset, the Church of St John the Baptist in Broadwindsor is a classic, "slow-paced" country church that packs a surprising amount of history into its quiet stone walls. It’s perched on a high spot right in the heart of the village, looking out over the square like it’s been keeping watch forever (which, to be fair, it mostly has). Here’s why it’s worth a wander: A Royal Fugitive’s Hiding Spot The village’s biggest claim to fame involves a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek. After losing the Battle of Worcester in 1651, King Charles II fled for his life and spent a night right here in Broadwindsor. While the King was hiding in a nearby inn (now private cottages), Parliamentarian soldiers actually arrived in the village to search it. Legend says he only escaped because a local woman went into labor in the same building, causing such a chaotic distraction that the soldiers moved on without finding him. He eventually escaped to France, but the church stands as a silent witness to that tense night. The "Witty" Rector In the 1630s, the church was led by Thomas Fuller, a man described as one of the first English writers to actually make a living from his pen. He was famous for his "pregnant wit" and once said, "Charity begins at home, but should not end there." * Even today, the village is very proud of him—you’ll often find his quotes inscribed in the local community pub, The White Lion, just down the road. What to Look For Inside The "Wonky" Architecture: The church has a mix of styles because it’s been rebuilt and patched up over nearly 900 years. You’ll see heavy, rounded Norman arches on one side of the nave and more pointed "Early English" ones on the other. It gives the interior a slightly mismatched, organic feel. The Ancient Font: There is a square font made of Purbeck Marble that dates back to the early 1200s. It’s been used to baptize village children for eight centuries. The Bells: The tower holds a ring of six bells. Some of them are "pre-Reformation," meaning they’ve been swinging in that tower since before Henry VIII broke away from Rome. The "Compromise" Clock: If you’re there during the day, you’ll hear the clock chime. There was a recent local debate about whether it should chime at night; in a very "British village" move, they compromised—it now stays quiet from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM so the neighbors can sleep!

The summit of this hill represents the second highest point in Dorset, and from here, you'll have breathtaking panoramic views. At the top, there was an Iron Age hillfort, which was excavated in the mid-20th century.

At the heart of the village, you'll find this lovely church, with its churchyard, of which the oldest parts are known to date back to the 12th century, in a Norman Romanesque style. During the Victorian era, it underwent significant restoration, so you can see signs of this period in its exterior appearance.

This Iron Age hillfort is the smaller cousin of Lambert’s Castle, a little to the north. With ancient woodland and a fantastic spring bluebell display, Coney’s Castle is a peaceful little summit and one of numerous such hillforts in the area. Check out the earthwork ramparts on the north, south and east sides. The western edge used the natural slope of the hill as a defense. Managed by the National Trust, this hillfort is free to roam around and served by a car park. Its only downside is that there’s a road right through the middle of it.

This Grade I-listed building is an exceptionally grand residence complete with sprawling gardens and a giant fountain. The priory was built in the 1100s and takes its name from the nearby river crossing. The abbey was surrendered during the Dissolution and had many tenants. Through the centuries it’s been renovated and undergone significant change. Today, you can still see evidence of some of the earliest sections, particularly the cloisters and the Great Hall. The gardens at Forde Abbey are spectacular and include lawns, water features and an arboretum. It also has the highest powered fountain in the country, which comes on intermittently and might surprise you if you’re walking by. There’s a cafe, shop and plant nursery here making it easy to while away your time. There is a charge to enter which is not insignificant.

This hamlet is gloriously picturesque and many of its buildings are made from local hamstone. This type of stone is unique to nearby Ham Hill and has a yellow hue; it lends the buildings a particularly pretty aesthetic. Norton-sub-Hamdon is home to a manor house of 17th-century origins and a water mill dating back from around the same time. In the grounds of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, there’s a 17th-century stone dovecote. Although you can’t go inside, it contains 400 stone nests and is said to have provided pigeons for the manor. There’s an old pub here if you’re looking for somewhere to put your feet up, otherwise, simply walking around the hamlet is like stepping back in time.

Broadwindsor is a sleepy village nestling in the serene Dorset countryside. It has a pub, a little shop, as well as a listed 12th-century church, making it a perfect place stop for a while.