Sturminster Newton.
 
An attractive and unspoilt former market town situated above the River Stour, it is centrally placed for visiting many of Dorset’s towns including: Shaftesbury (20 mins), Sherborne (20 mins), Dorchester (35mins), Salisbury (50 mins) and beautiful Bath (1hr 10mins). The coast – Lulworth Cove and beautiful beaches of Studland are also within an hour’s drive.
Briefly the home to Thomas Hardy (1876) and the setting for his Return of the Native, Sturminster Newton offers some interesting shops and cafe’s.
Sturminster Newton hosts the increasingly popular Cheese Festival in September and is home to Olives et Al.  Monthly Boogie Woogie evenings which culminate in the Boogie Woogie Festival in July are also popular local events.
The Bull Inn is a 4 min walk from Newton House and Margie and Charlie are always happy to recommend the other good food pubs in the area. 

Sherborne – 20 minutes drive.

The historic town of Sherborne - home to Sherborne Castle and Sherborne Abbey is a lovely place to explore its cobbled streets, pretty water meadow or enjoy its excellent range of shops, cafes and restaurants. 

Stourhead (National Trust) - 30 minutes drive.

This is one of the National Trust’s most lovely landscaped gardens it is a beautiful place to visit whatever the season.  Classical temples are set around the central lake, a wonderful setting for a walk or picnic. 

Kingston Lacy (National Trust) - 30 minutes drive.

Another superb National Trust property on the Blandford/Wimborne road, Kingston Lacy is an elegant country mansion with a fine collection of art and antiquities. The gardens offer a stunning woodland walk on an autumn day and the formal gardens and house are definitely worth a visit.

Other places to visit:
Cerne Abbas (20 mins) - a charming village and home to the infamous Cerne Giant.
Abbotsbury Swannery (1 hr)
Burton Bradstock (45 mins)
Lyme Regis (1 hr 15 mins)

And for rainy days and families with children.
Cool Play, a fun new indoor activity centre is within walking distance from the house.