Pictures of Wimborne Minster
About Wimborne Minster
Wimborne Minster is a magnificent Georgian town in the valley of the delightful River Stour. It is famed for its beautiful Minster church of Norman origins with twin towers, one of which is topped by a lantern. A 14th-century clock adorns the tower and interestingly, a grenadier strikes the quarter hour. The church has a Norman crypt and amongst its treasures is a chained library.
The town's narrow streets have a quintessentially English charm and show a rich variety of architecture, particularly in King Street where your eyes are immediately drawn to beautiful half-timbered properties. Thomas Hardy was a noted citizen.
Apart from strolling the lovely river banks and feeding its graceful swans, Wimborne Minster offers opportunities to explore Walford Mill, an restored 18th-century flour mill which hosts exhibitions, and sells locally made crafts and other attractive goofs. Another favourite place is Deans Court Gardens, here fascinating floral displays, plants and trees are spread around the old house that was once the Deanery to the Minster. The evocative museum of East Dorset Life is set in the historic Priests House. Period rooms portray the story of East Dorset and its people. The house has a beautiful walled garden and a shop.
The crowning glory of the region is stunning Kingston Lacy a 17th-century manor house where at any moment you expect to see a Regency carriage draw up and an elegantly gowned lady step out. The house is a treasure chest of beautiful paintings by the Old Masters, a magnificent marble staircase and on the outside is a glorious Italianate terrace with steps leading to classical gardens and sweeping parkland grazed by red Devon cattle.
With a lovely atmosphere, so much to see and do, Wimborne Minster makes the perfect summer place for a romantic weekend or to use as a base from which to explore this picturesque part of Dorset.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Wimborne Minster
| Kingston Lacy | (2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Stapehill Abbey | (2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| White Mill | (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Badbury Rings | (3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Horton Tower | (4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Upton House & Country Park | (4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Alice in Wonderland Maze, Hurn | (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Moors Valley Country Park & Forest | (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Compton Acres Gardens | (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| The Bournemouth Eye | (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Arne RSPB Reserve | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Avon Heath Country Park | (7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Brownsea Island | (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Christchurch Priory | (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
All attractions in Wimborne MinsterAll attractions in DorsetComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Wimborne Minster
Stapehill, in the county of Dorset (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction E)
Stapehill, in the beautiful Dorset countryside is best known for its romantic Abbey gardens which are an absolute joy for every visitor including gardening enthusiasts.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ferndown, in the county of Dorset (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction E)
This town lies amidst noted countryside between Wimborne Minster and Ringwood.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sturminster Marshall, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction W)
Sturminster Marshall is famous for its beautiful White Corn Mill and for the magnificent eight arched bridge spanning the River Stour.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Poole, in the county of Dorset (5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction S)
Three miles of golden beaches extending from Sandbanks to Brankesome Dene Chine and on towards Bournemouth, ensure an enjoyable time for families and sun-worshippers alike.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Bournemouth, in the county of Dorset (7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction SE)
Seven miles of glorious golden sands, fringed by the bluest of seas lapping the shore, make Bournemouth a firm favourite for family holidays.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hurn, in the county of Dorset (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction E)
This is a pretty Dorset village with pleasant period buildings from the 18th-century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sandbanks, in the county of Dorset (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Blandford Forum, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction NW)
Utterly delightful, a town of matchless elegance, of quintessentially English beauty, are but a few of the attributes to the fine Market town on the River Stour.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ripley, in the county of Hampshire (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction E)
One could be forgiven for thinking that this Yorkshire village has a faintly French air for Ripley was indeed remodelled in 1827 along the lines of a typical French village of Alsace Lorraine.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Bryanston, in the county of Dorset (9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)
The town was initially the town of Brian de Lisle, a Baron at the court of King John.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Southbourne, in the county of Dorset (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction SE)
Southbourne is a sedate coastal resort lying close to the mouth of the River Stour, just a few minutes drive from its more famous...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Christchurch, in the county of Dorset (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction SE)
Christchurch is one of Dorset's "gems" it is set on the confluence of two rivers, the Stour and the Avon. In Saxon times it was...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Moyles Court, in the county of Hampshire (10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction NE)
Open forest surrounds this quiet hamlet which is only a few minutes drive from Ringwood, a busy market town at the western end of the New Forest.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sixpenny Handley, in the county of Dorset (10.5 miles, 16.8 km, direction N)
Sixpenny Handley is set in the lovely countryside of Cranbourne Chase.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Studland, in the county of Dorset (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction S)
Beyond the woods, heaths and downs of Dorset lies a fascinating coastline with a hinterland of precious little villages, such a village is Studland which sits close to the wide sweep of picturesque Studland Bay, which belongs to the National Trust.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in DorsetComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Poole Station | (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction S) |
| Hamworthy Station | (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction S) |
| Bournemouth Airport | (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction E) |
| M27 Junction 1 | (19.1 miles, 30.7 km, direction NE) |
| M27 Junction 2 | (22.2 miles, 35.8 km, direction NE) |
| Southampton Airport | (29.5 miles, 47.5 km, direction E) |
| Wimborne Minster to London | (94.4 miles, 151.9 km, direction NE) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Wimborne Minster
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Wimborne Minster center |
| King's Head Hotel | (0.2 miles, 0.4 km) |
| Bridge House Hotel | (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction SE) |
| Premier Travel Inn Poole North | (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction S) |
| Horton Inn | (5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction N) |
| Arndale Court Hotel | (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction S) |
| Express By Holiday Inn Poole | (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction S) |
| The Antelope | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S) |
| The Best Western Mansion House | (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction S) |
| Thistle Poole | (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction S) |
| Salterns Harbourside Hotel | (6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction S) |
| All hotels in Wimborne Minster |