Places to Visit in or near Dorset for transport enthusiasts
Bournemouth Aviation Museum
Situated opposite Bournemouth Airport, this open-air museum is almost unique in the UK. It's open daily from April to October from 10.00 to 17.00. For further details CLICK HERE
The Tank Museum
The Tank Museum is at Bovington, near Wool. It houses the largest collection of tanks in the world. There are also other military vehicles and displays to interest all ages. It's the ideal place to visit on a wet day as most of the exhibition is indoors. At certain times there are mock battles performed in the outside arena.
Sandbanks Ferry
This unusual chain ferry operates across the mouth of Poole Harbour from Sandbanks to Shell Bay. It transports cars as well as passengers, but for extra fun catch the number 50 W&D bus from Bournemouth station to Swanage which travels on the ferry, and it's open-top in the summer!
West Bay Station
West Bay station used to be the terminus of the Maiden Newton to Bridport railway. Although passenger trains haven't called there since 1930, the station is in remarkably good condition.
The Fleet Air Arm Museum
Just over the border at Yeovilton in Somerset is the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum. There is an exciting collection of military and civilian aircraft including one of the original Concorde planes. DETAILS
Gartell Light Railway
The Gartell Light Railway operates over part of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway near Templecombe. It is only open about a dozen times a year, but is well worth a visit. DETAILS
| Swanage Railway
Swanage Railway operates the most intensive service of any heritage railway in Britain. Mostly steam during the day, and diesel on summer evenings. TIMETABLE. Join the train at Norden Park & Ride station on the A352 near Corfe Castle.
Shillingstone Station
One of the many rural stations on the old Somerset & Dorset Railway (from Bournemouth to Bath) Shillingstone is being restored by enthusiasts to its former glory. King Edward VII regularly used Shillingstone station to visit nearby Iwerne Minster. DETAILS
Bournemouth Cliff Lifts
There are 3 cliff lifts in Bournemouth. They're at the West Cliff, East Cliff and Fisherman's Walk. The two oldest date back to 1908 and they're classed as light railways. They're operated by Bournemouth Council and run between Easter and the end of October. The lifts are powered by electricity.
Yeovil Railway Centre
Yeovil Railway Centre services locomotives on mainline steam charters. It is open on those days and on some other dates. It has a full-size turntable. DETAILS of opening days.
Haynes International Motor Museum
Just over the county border in Somerset is the UK's largest collection of cars from around the world. It is situated near Sparkford. CLICK HERE for details.
Seaton Tramway
Just over the county border in East Devon is an interesting form of transport which uses the trackbed of the old Seaton branch railway. It runs from Colyton to Seaton. Most of the trams have been built specially for the 2ft 9in gauge track.
The Seaton Tramway operates a frequent daily service from April to October and some weekend in winter. |
River trip to Wareham
Depending on the tide, there's a daily boat from Poole Quay across Poole Harbour and up the River Frome to Wareham Quay. It's a lovely trip with plenty to see including a variety of wildlife. The round trip takes about 3.5 hours and includes a lunch break in Wareham.
| Weymouth Town Bridge
The present Town Bridge was built in 1930 and replaced an earlier one. Usually it opens on the even hours (10.00, 12.00, 14.00 etc) to allow tall yachts to pass to and from the towns' marina. At those times all road traffic, including buses and pedestrians, has to wait for up to ten minutes.
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Vintage Ferry to Mudeford
Take the river ferry from Tuckton to Christchurch and Mudeford. The "Headland" boats operating this service are over 75 years old and have been sailing up and down the Rivers Stour and Avon continuously apart from during the Second World War.
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The boats were built specially for this service with very shallow draught because of the tidal nature of Christchurch harbour and the River Stour. The service runs frequently between Easter and the end of October.
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Portland Port
For over 100 years Portland was a Royal Navy port. In 1997 it was sold to a private company. Today it is home to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. It's also a base for cable ships. There are increasing numbers of cruise ships now disembarking their passengers for coach tours of the Jurassic Coast. Although the public are not admitted to the port itself, there are viewing points from the hill above and also from "The Boat that Rocks" pub/bistro in Portland Marina. This is an excellent spot to also watch the activity at the National Sailing Academy where the sailing for 2012 Olympic Games will take place.
To reach "The Boat that Rocks" take the summer 501 bus to the National Sailing Academy, then 5 minutes walk. By car, turn off to the left at the roundabout along the Portland causeway, drive past the National Sailing Academy and into Portland Marina (parking open to the public).
To reach "The Boat that Rocks" take the summer 501 bus to the National Sailing Academy, then 5 minutes walk. By car, turn off to the left at the roundabout along the Portland causeway, drive past the National Sailing Academy and into Portland Marina (parking open to the public).
The Rodwell Trail
The Rodwell Trail is a popular walking and cycling route along the track of the old Weymouth & Portland Railway which closed in 1965. It is 3.4 kms long from Westham Halt to Ferrybridge and is about an hour's walk each way, though you can take a number 1 bus back.
It featured in the BBC TV series “Railway Walks” with Julia Bradbury.
It starts at Westham Halt just off the Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth. From the Jubilee Clock on Weymouth seafront walk down Kings Street past Weymouth railway station, then cross over Swannery Bridge into Abbotsbury Road. Westham Halt is about 100 yards on the left.
The sites of the four former stations at Westham, Rodwell, Sandsfoot and Wyke Regis are marked with totem station signs. There's even a short tunnel.
It featured in the BBC TV series “Railway Walks” with Julia Bradbury.
It starts at Westham Halt just off the Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth. From the Jubilee Clock on Weymouth seafront walk down Kings Street past Weymouth railway station, then cross over Swannery Bridge into Abbotsbury Road. Westham Halt is about 100 yards on the left.
The sites of the four former stations at Westham, Rodwell, Sandsfoot and Wyke Regis are marked with totem station signs. There's even a short tunnel.
Weymouth Harbour Tramway
The Harbour Tramway, also known as the Quay Branch, was opened by the Great Western Railway in 1865. Passenger and freight trains used the branch to access the steamers from Weymouth to the Channel Islands and France. Ferries docked alongside the harbour station. The trains travelled at walking pace preceeded by an official with a red flag. Some of the locomotives were fitted with a bell. GWR pannier tanks saw regular use.
A regular sight in the 50s and 60s was of a car being man-handled out of the way if it had been badly parked.
Regular freight trains ceased in 1972 and passenger trains in 1987. Several special railtours ran over the branch, the last-known being in May 1999. There have been several proposals to run a tram or light train over the line, but nothing has materialized.
A regular sight in the 50s and 60s was of a car being man-handled out of the way if it had been badly parked.
Regular freight trains ceased in 1972 and passenger trains in 1987. Several special railtours ran over the branch, the last-known being in May 1999. There have been several proposals to run a tram or light train over the line, but nothing has materialized.
The Fleet Observer
The Fleet Observer is an unusual form of transport. It is a glass-bottomed boat that sails in The Fleet. This is the largest saline lagoon in Britain and lies between the Chesil Beach and the mainland.
The Fleet Observer makes several trips daily from Easter to October. Booking is advisable. It is the ideal way to learn about the wildlife of The Fleet and the famous Chesil Beach. It is run by locals who have an intimate knowledge of the area.
The departure point is close to the Ferrybridge at the beginning of the causeway leading to Portland.
The Fleet Observer makes several trips daily from Easter to October. Booking is advisable. It is the ideal way to learn about the wildlife of The Fleet and the famous Chesil Beach. It is run by locals who have an intimate knowledge of the area.
The departure point is close to the Ferrybridge at the beginning of the causeway leading to Portland.
Rural Dorset bus tour
view from 31 bus on the A35 Ridgeway
There are many options for a day out by bus in the Dorset countryside. One of our favourites that combines some of the most beautiful scenery in rural Dorset and South Somerset is a triangular route starting and finishing in the county town of Dorchester (not Sundays). Take the 31 (First) bus at 10.14 from Dorchester South rail station heading towards Bridport. The next stage is the 12.40 First 47 bus from Bridport coach station to Yeovil. The final leg is the 15.25 Damory 216 bus from Yeovil bus station back to Dorchester. There are connections from and to Weymouth. Each stage of the journey takes around 1 hour, allowing plenty of free time to explore Bridport and Yeovil.
Some of the highlights of the tour are the stunning views from the A35 Ridgeway towards Lyme Bay and the bustling market town of Bridport. You'll pass through the attractive towns of Crewkerne, Beaminster and Sherborne with their local stone buildings and Prince Charles's urban development at Poundbury. Amongst the many picturesque villages are Martinstown and Cerne Abbas with its famous giant carved into the hillside.
English bus-pass holders can complete the whole tour free of charge. Those not in possession of a bus pass should purchase a Day Explorer ticket from the driver of the first bus..
Some of the highlights of the tour are the stunning views from the A35 Ridgeway towards Lyme Bay and the bustling market town of Bridport. You'll pass through the attractive towns of Crewkerne, Beaminster and Sherborne with their local stone buildings and Prince Charles's urban development at Poundbury. Amongst the many picturesque villages are Martinstown and Cerne Abbas with its famous giant carved into the hillside.
English bus-pass holders can complete the whole tour free of charge. Those not in possession of a bus pass should purchase a Day Explorer ticket from the driver of the first bus..
West Somerset Railway
Over the county border in Somerset is Britain's longest standard gauge steam railway.
The West Somerset Railway runs for twenty miles from Bishops Lydeard - which is four miles from Taunton - to seaside town of Minehead. The first part of the journey passes through the Quantock Hills, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. In the second part the trains follow the coastline between Exmoor and the Bristol Channel. Services run for most of the year, usually hauled by ex-Great Western engines similar to those that would have operated on this beautiful branch line in the 1950s.
The single journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and is good value for money.
The West Somerset Railway runs for twenty miles from Bishops Lydeard - which is four miles from Taunton - to seaside town of Minehead. The first part of the journey passes through the Quantock Hills, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. In the second part the trains follow the coastline between Exmoor and the Bristol Channel. Services run for most of the year, usually hauled by ex-Great Western engines similar to those that would have operated on this beautiful branch line in the 1950s.
The single journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and is good value for money.
Moors Valley Railway
The Moors Valley Railway is a 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) narrow-gauge passenger railway in the Moors Valley Country Park at Ashley Heath near Ringwood on the Dorset/Hampshire border. There are 18 steam engines and 2 diesel engines. The railway is fully signalled, with two signal boxes.
The railway operates at weekends throughout the year and daily from Spring Bank Holiday to mid-September.
Car parking is expensive (about £8 per day in summer) but this includes admission to the other attractions on site such as the Tree Top Walkway. Full details
The railway operates at weekends throughout the year and daily from Spring Bank Holiday to mid-September.
Car parking is expensive (about £8 per day in summer) but this includes admission to the other attractions on site such as the Tree Top Walkway. Full details
