This wooden craft shop is situated on the main road through Abbotsbury and has its own car park…read more Although I have described it as a wooden craft shop it is and it isn't. Pretty much everything it sells has been made out of wood, some of it could be called craft but some could be called art, furniture or toy. They sell everything from thimbles to four poster beds, everything is beautifully made and the toy section will keep children entertained while adults marvel over the beautifully crafted clocks.

The largest screen in Dorset and perhaps the smallest, this is an old cinema that has had it seats…read morereplace with modern comfy chairs. The team are friendly and knowledgeable, they to really like working here and care about the Plaza. And a cheep night out £2.50 week days and £3.50 at weekends.

Amazing cinema. Screens 3 and 4 are currently being built and open in December 2010. The foyer has…read morerecently been completley revamped, with new ticketing and till systems. Same freindly staff. Biggest screen in Dorset in screen 2. Screens3 and 4 wont be too far behind. Screen 1 is the cute small screen that less popular films are screened in usually. Digital Sound and air conditioning will be coming to screen 1 soon. 3D will also be installed in screens 3 and 4, but it will be 35mm 3D to start with. Menaing the cinema will then have 3/4 3D screens. With 2 different 3D systems - Xpand Digital 3D, and a 35mm 3D system (probably Technicolour). Great cinema, great prices, great staff and massive improvements currently taking place. 4 screens and more tehnically is a multiplex, so this cinema will be a 4 screen multiplex from December 2010!!!!!!!!

This is a gorgeous art gallery/shop in Beer, on the Devon coast…read more Beer is a lovely little fishing village, relatively untouched by mass tourism (it's too difficult to access for big bus loads). The pebble beach is idyllic, and you can watch fishing boats coming back with their catch - which they also sell there and then. Back to the gallery: they have 2 outlets in the village, the Steam Gallery and the Marine House. Both display work from local artists, and the quality is very high (so are some prices). We found the most exquisite hand blown glass pieces, which would not be out of place in the most expensive shops in London. Beer itself is worth a visit for its quaint, quiet and authentic atmosphere; and whilst you are there, these two artshops should be on your list.

The Steam Gallery in the pretty East Devon fishing village of Beer is a good place to browse for…read moregifts or that special treat for yourself. The gallery is housed in several rooms on the ground floor of what was once a house. It is the sister gallery to Marine House, which is situated further down the road towards the sea. The Steam Gallery has less traditional paintings than Marine House, although there is plenty on the walls often the emphasis is on sculpture and 3 dimensional work. Last time I visited there was a lot of glass sculpture on display, and there is usually jewellery and pottery too. Original artwork by local artists.

Portland Castle is not located in Oregon. In order to visit this place, you have to travel to…read morePortland, England. For $11.50 pounds, I think it is worth the price of admission. We spent a couple of hours exploring the place. It is not a castle, in the traditional sense. It is more of a Fort. It was built back in 1539 and 1540, and it played a part in the first and second World Wars, in protecting the area from invaders. There is plenty to see and do so you can spend as much time as you want here. We were here for a couple of hours exploring the fort and the grounds. The audio tour is included in the admission price, and it gives you the history of the place. Although we enjoyed our time here. I think that a one-time visit is all that we needed.

We were based in Weymouth at a camping site and took a lovely trip by bike to this castle. It was…read moreone of the many castles constructed by Henry VIII. The castle gives quite a good impression what it was like to be a soldier back then. A part of the exhibition covers the preparations of the Allied armies for the D-Day invasion of France in June 1944. Of special interest was an information sheet for the newly arrived US soldiers that showed the differences of US and British English.

A really old cinema, and still had gas lamps until a fairly recent fire caused changes…read more Known as the Fleapit, it has just been bought by a company. Last time I saw a movie there, there was still a break when they changed the reel! It really is a step back in time, nostalgic to a period I don't remember. Any one who has been there has fond memories. Let's hope it doesn't get changed too much

Volunteer run cinema with interesting films and excellent film festival every October…read more Bar downstairs and civilised option to take drinks in to watch film Disabled access by stairlift Charming helpful volunteers

Trill Farm Summer Week was fabulous!…read more This is an eco wonderland created by Romy Fraser from the profits of her highly successful Neal's Yard products.2011 was its first year & it went with a bang on her 300 acre Estate on the Devon/Dorset border 11 -14 August & catering for all ages, there was a huge programme of events & 50 activities ranging from talks in the mediaeval Barn, to willow weaving,listening to tree sap,cooking from foraged food (my favourite) to introduction to bees & beekeeping & wild birds,making rafts for the lovely lakes, or climbing a rock face or making soap & lip balm. Music & feasting carried on into the night. Car parking in a field. £15 entrance fee was money well spent & our 8 year old didn't want to leave! Should you want to stay too,there's camping accomodation

The Weymouth Pavilion is a great place to visit if you are interested in the theatre arts. There…read moreare lots of different live showings throughout the year and many local people and tourist go and visit it all the time. You can book your tickets on their website, phone up or buy it when your there.

Even if you don't know Thomas Hardy, this is still a place worth visiting and getting to know. You…read moremay then be inspired to read his great works. If you do know him, you will understand just how easy it was for him to conjure up such beautiful pastoral scenes in his novels.

A gorgeous place to visit, especially on a summer's day (as we did) when the front garden is a mass…read moreof colourful flowers and butterflies! This was the home of Thomas Hardy, the English novelist until he was 34. It's a beautiful thatched cottage, built by his great-grandfather. Inside it is furnished in keeping with the period of Thomas's own life. You can buy some souvenirs and books as well. This cottage became Tranter Dewy's home in the novel, 'Under The Greenwood Tree' (1871).