The Best Attractions Near Silverlake Estate: Our Local Guide
One of the things we particularly like about staying at Silverlake Estate is that you don’t have to travel far to find somewhere interesting to visit.
There is already plenty to do on the estate itself, but when you do fancy heading out, you’re remarkably well placed. Dorchester is just up the road, the Jurassic Coast is within easy reach, and some of Dorset’s best family attractions, museums, historic sites, and more unusual places to visit are scattered across the surrounding countryside.
We’ve lived in Dorset for many years and have visited many of these places ourselves, both as a family and while exploring the county for Curated Cottages. Some are the obvious Dorset favourites; others are places you might easily miss if you didn’t know they were there.
So rather than giving you an enormous list, these are the attractions near Silverlake Estate that we’d actually consider when planning a day out.
A quick note on journey times: we’ve included approximate driving times from Silverlake Estate to give you a sense of what’s nearby. Dorset’s roads can become considerably busier during summer weekends and school holidays, particularly around Lulworth and Purbeck, so we’d always allow a little extra time.
Sculpture by the Lakes
Around 5–10 minutes from Silverlake Estate
You don’t have to go far for our first recommendation.
Just a few miles from Silverlake, Sculpture by the Lakes brings together contemporary sculpture with gardens, lakes, woodland and the Dorset countryside.
Rather than walking around a conventional gallery, you discover the sculptures as you explore the grounds, with works positioned beside water, among trees and throughout the gardens.
It’s a particularly good choice for couples, adult groups and families with older teenagers. One important thing to know before planning your visit is that children under 14, including babies, aren’t permitted due to the site’s deep, fast-flowing water.
There’s also somewhere to stop for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, so you don’t necessarily have to rush your visit.
We’ve put together a separate guide to Sculpture by the Lakes if you’d like to find out more before you visit.
Spend a day discovering Dorchester’s museums
Around 15–20 minutes from Silverlake Estate
Dorchester is one of the easiest day trips from Silverlake, particularly when the Dorset weather isn’t quite behaving itself.
The county town has a surprisingly good collection of museums within a relatively compact area, so you can easily combine one or two with lunch and a stroll around the town.
For families, the Dinosaur Museum is an obvious starting point, especially if a day spent fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast has sparked an interest in prehistoric Dorset.
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery offers a much broader look at the county, spanning archaeology, natural history, fossils, art and Thomas Hardy.
Then there’s Shire Hall Museum, one we’d particularly recommend if you prefer history to feel more tangible. You can explore the former courtroom and cells, and discover the stories of the people who passed through them, including the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
We’ve explored Dorchester in much more depth in our guide to the best museums in the town, and we also have a dedicated guide to Shire Hall Museum if it’s on your list.
And if you’re making a day of it, our guide to the best places to eat in Dorchester has plenty of ideas for lunch or dinner.
The Tank Museum, Bovington
Around 20–25 minutes from Silverlake Estate
Even if you don’t think of yourself as particularly interested in tanks, we’d still put The Tank Museum high on the list.
This is far more than a building housing military vehicles.
The museum at Bovington is home to around 300 military machines, with exhibitions that explore the development of armoured warfare and, importantly, the stories of the people behind the vehicles.
It’s somewhere that can work surprisingly well across generations. Children may initially come for the sheer scale of the tanks, while teenagers and adults can get much more from the engineering, military and social history.
It’s also one of those Dorset attractions that’s particularly useful to have in mind when the weather forecast looks questionable.
Allow a decent amount of time. The museum itself suggests around four to five hours for a visit, so we wouldn’t try to squeeze in too much else on the same day.
Our guide to The Tank Museum has more information if you’re planning to visit during your stay at Silverlake.
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre
Around 20–25 minutes from Silverlake Estate
Just along the road from Bovington, you’ll find one of Dorset’s best-known family attractions.
Monkey World is somewhere many Dorset families have visited more than once, but what makes it particularly interesting is the story behind it.
It’s an ape rescue and rehabilitation centre rather than simply a place to see animals, and that conservation work gives a visit much more meaning.
For families staying at Silverlake, it’s an easy day out that works particularly well if you have children who love animals.
We’d give it a good few hours rather than rushing around, and comfortable shoes are definitely worthwhile.
You can find more practical information and what to expect in our Monkey World guide.
The Blue Pool
Around 30–35 minutes from Silverlake Estate
The Blue Pool is one of those places we’ve returned to many times over the years.
Hidden among woodland and heathland in Purbeck, its distinctive pool lies within a former clay pit, with paths winding through the surrounding landscape.
The colour of the water changes with the light and conditions, sometimes appearing turquoise and at other times in much deeper shades of green and blue.
But for us, it’s not somewhere you visit just to photograph the water.
We enjoy the walks around the pool and through the surrounding woodland, and there’s a tearoom for when you’re ready to stop. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn, although we’ve enjoyed visiting in every season.
It’s also very easy to combine with other places in Purbeck. You could visit The Blue Pool in the morning, have lunch around Corfe Castle and continue towards Swanage or Studland in the afternoon.
We’ve shared everything we’ve learnt from our visits in our guide to The Blue Pool, including practical information, walks, photography tips and what it’s like at different times of year.
Corfe Castle
Around 35–45 minutes from Silverlake Estate
There aren’t many Dorset views quite like the first glimpse of Corfe Castle rising above the village.
The ruins dominate the surrounding landscape and, even after numerous visits to Purbeck, it’s still a sight that makes us look twice.
The castle itself offers you centuries of history to explore, but we’d allow time for the village as well. There are independent shops, cafés and pubs, and it’s very easy to turn a castle visit into a much longer day.
Families can combine history with a journey on the Swanage Railway, while walkers have access to some superb routes through the Purbeck Hills.
And if castles are your thing, don’t stop at Corfe. We’ve put together a guide to Dorset’s castles, ruins and forts, covering everything from medieval ruins and Tudor defences to Iron Age hillforts and coastal fortifications.
Swanage Railway
Around 35–50 minutes from Silverlake Estate
For a completely different way to explore Purbeck, leave the car behind for a while and take the train instead.
The Swanage Railway operates heritage steam and diesel services through the Purbeck countryside, linking the Corfe Castle area with Swanage.
It’s one of those days out that works particularly well when several generations are on holiday together. Younger children get the excitement of travelling by steam train, while the journey, scenery and nostalgia tend to appeal just as much to parents and grandparents.
One option is to travel towards Swanage (take the train from Norden for better, longer views of Corfe Castle), spend some time by the sea, and return by train, combining countryside, history, and a traditional Dorset seaside town in the same day.
Dorset Adventure Park
Around 25–35 minutes from Silverlake Estate
If your children or teenagers have looked at museums, castles and gardens and have requested something rather more energetic, Dorset Adventure Park near Corfe Castle could be the answer.
Its lakes and woodlands are home to an inflatable waterpark and a mud trail, making it ideal for families who don’t mind getting wet, or muddy.
It’s particularly suited to older children, teenagers and active groups, and we’d treat the activity itself as the main event rather than trying to cram several other Purbeck attractions into one day.
Opening is seasonal, so check current sessions and booking arrangements before travelling.
Nothe Fort, Weymouth
Around 20–25 minutes from Silverlake Estate
We know Weymouth extremely well, and there’s much more to the town than its famous sandy beach.
Walk around the harbour and into Nothe Gardens, and you’ll eventually reach Nothe Fort, which overlooks the entrance to Weymouth Harbour.
Built as part of the area’s coastal defences, the fort has underground passages, military displays and wonderful views across the harbour and towards Portland.
It’s easy to combine with the rest of Weymouth too. You could spend the morning on the beach, walk around the harbour, visit the fort and then head back towards the waterfront for something to eat.
Our guide to exploring Weymouth has plenty more ideas. If you’re staying for lunch or dinner, have a look at our guide to the best places to eat around Weymouth Harbour.
Tyneham Village and Worbarrow Bay
Around 35–45 minutes from Silverlake Estate — when the ranges are open
Tyneham isn’t really an attraction in the conventional sense, which is precisely why we’d include it.
The village was evacuated in 1943 when the surrounding area was requisitioned for military training. Its residents expected to return, but Tyneham was never permanently resettled.
Today you can walk through the remains of the village, including the old school and church, then continue through the countryside towards the beautiful Worbarrow Bay.
We’ve visited this part of Purbeck many times, and it still feels completely different from Dorset’s conventional tourist attractions.
However, there is one important complication: Tyneham lies within the Lulworth military ranges. Access depends on military activity, so never assume it will be open. Check the current Lulworth Ranges access information before setting out, and follow the signed routes and safety information when you’re there.
Our guide to visiting Tyneham Village explains the history, what you’ll find, and the practical details to know before you go.
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
Around 25–35 minutes from Silverlake Estate
For a first visit to Dorset, it’s hard to leave these two out.
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are among the best-known landmarks on the Jurassic Coast, but we’d encourage you to do more than arrive, take a photograph and then leave.
Walk part of the coastal path, explore the cove, and give yourself time to appreciate the extraordinary geology that shaped this landscape.
If you’ve enjoyed being out on the water at Silverlake, there are also opportunities around Lulworth to see the coast from a completely different perspective, including seasonal boat trips and guided kayaking, weather permitting.
These places are extremely popular in summer, so going earlier in the day can make a considerable difference.
And if you’d like to explore beyond Dorset’s most famous landmarks, our guide to exploring the Jurassic Coast takes you from the better-known beaches and cliffs to some of the places visitors often miss.
Portland Castle and the Isle of Portland
Around 35–45 minutes from Silverlake Estate
Portland deserves more than a quick trip to the lighthouse and back.
Portland Castle overlooks the harbour and dates back to the reign of Henry VIII, offering you a very different glimpse of Dorset’s coastal history.
But we’d use the castle as the starting point rather than the whole day.
Continue across the island, and you’ll find Portland Bill, Church Ope Cove, Tout Quarry, and some extraordinary coastal scenery. Portland feels quite different from the rest of Dorset, which is one of the reasons we enjoy exploring it.
Staying at Silverlake Estate with Curated Cottages
Our Silverlake Estate Curated Collection brings together a handpicked selection of holiday homes on the estate, with our local Dorset guides on hand to help you make the most of the area while you’re here.
We’ve spent years exploring Dorset ourselves, so throughout our Silverlake guides you’ll find the places we genuinely enjoy alongside the better-known attractions we’d recommend visiting at least once.
You can explore our guides to activities at Silverlake Estate, beaches near Silverlake, places to eat and drink, history and heritage, and nearby places to visit before your stay, or simply decide what you fancy doing when you arrive.
And if you’d like something arranged for you, our concierge service can help with extras such as bike, kayak and paddleboard hire delivered to your holiday home and private chefs, while our Curated Experiences include memorable ways to see more of Dorset, including private luxury sailing charters along the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monkey World and The Tank Museum would be high on our list, particularly if you’re looking for somewhere that can fill a good part of the day.
Dorchester also has several family-friendly museums, while Dorset Adventure Park is a good choice for older children and teenagers who’d prefer something more active.
And don’t forget there’s already plenty for families to do without leaving Silverlake. Our guide to activities at Silverlake Estate covers what’s available near your holiday home.
The Tank Museum is one of our first suggestions for a wet Dorset day because much of the experience is indoors.
Dorchester is another good option. You can choose from several museums, including the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery and Shire Hall, and combine a couple of them with lunch in the town.
Our guide to the best museums in Dorchester includes more ideas if the weather changes during your stay.
Sculpture by the Lakes is one of the nearest major visitor attractions, just a short drive from Silverlake.
Its combination of contemporary art, gardens, lakes and woodland makes it particularly appealing to couples, adults and families with older teenagers. Please note that children under 14, including babies, are not currently permitted.
Yes. Both are in the Bovington and Wool area and are among the easiest major family attractions to reach from Silverlake Estate. They’re close to one another too, although we wouldn’t necessarily try to do both properly in the same day. The Tank Museum alone recommends allowing around four to five hours for a visit.
Yes. Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are roughly 25–35 minutes away in normal traffic, making Silverlake a convenient base for exploring this part of the Jurassic Coast. Summer traffic can lengthen the journey, particularly around Lulworth, so we’d depart earlier where possible and allow more time during the school holidays.
If you’re planning to explore further, our guide to the Jurassic Coast covers many more beaches, walks, viewpoints and lesser-known spots along Dorset’s coastline.
Yes, when the Lulworth military ranges are open to the public.
Tyneham is an easy day trip from Silverlake and can be combined with the walk to Worbarrow Bay. However, access is controlled by the Ministry of Defence and varies with military activity, so always check the current opening information before travelling.
Our guide to Tyneham Village explains what to expect and why this abandoned village in Dorset is such a fascinating place to explore.
We’d put Sculpture by the Lakes near the top of the list, especially as it’s only a short drive away. The Blue Pool, Corfe Castle and a day spent exploring Purbeck are other favourites.
You could also spend the day exploring Weymouth and Portland, the Jurassic Coast, or arrange something completely different through our Curated Experiences, such as a private sailing charter.