Places to visit

The Cranborne Chase

The rolling chalk downlands of the Cranborne Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was once a medieval hunting estate, and is an archaeological gem, with priceless Iron Age and Roman remains.

The village of Cranborne is the site of the former Chase Courtland Prison, later used as a hunting lodge. Cranborne Manor dates back to the Middle Ages, when King John was a regular visitor hunting trips on the Chase. Known as ‘Chaseborough’ in the novels of Thomas Hardy, the village was also popular with poet Rupert Brooke who stayed at the Fleur de Lys and wrote a poem in its honour.



The hamlet of Cashmoor, nestled on the southern edge of the Cranborne Chase, provides an ideal base for those who enjoy walking. The area is also known for the wonderful variety of butterflies and for the ancient barrows that help to characterise the rolling chalk downland of the Chase.

Farnham is a picture-postcard thatched village, on the estate of the late archaeologist General Pitt-Rivers (which includes the Larmer Tree Gardens and neighbouring village of Tollard Royal).

Sixpenny Handley lies on Cranborne Chase, between the Romano British village of Woodcutts and the roman road of Ackling Dyke. Its name is derived from two medieval “hundreds” ‘Sexpenna’ and ‘Handlegga’ which over the years, local Dorset folk reduced to the memorable 6d Handley. Through the centuries the village suffered a series of fires and, in 1892, the whole village was virtually destroyed. The village church, dating back to the 13th century, remains and several small traditional shops line the main street.