Wimborne hotels

Hotels in Wimborne

Located in a leafy market town in East Dorset, Wimborne Minster hotels are surrounded by winding streets, riverside walks and welcoming pubs, as well as the medieval Wimborne Minster church.

History

Wimborne Minster is home to some of the county's finest examples of 15th, 16th and 17th century buildings. One of the oldest and most prominent buildings in the town is Wimbourne Minster's namesake, the Minster itself. The Minster has a history that stretches back over 1,300 years and is the resting place of King Ethelred of Wessex. The building contains elements of both Saxon and Norman design as well as a working astronomical clock and a chained library, one of the first public libraries in the country.

Another popular historical attraction in the town is the Priest's House Museum housed in a 16th-century Grade II-listed building and dedicated to detailing the history of the Minster and the town from prehistory to the Victorian period. The nearby East Dorset Villages Gallery gives more insight into the Victorian life of Wimborne Minster and features a hands-on Victorian schoolroom. There are a number of other 15th, 16th and 17th century building in the town as well as later buildings such as the restored Art Deco Tivoli theatre, which hosts regular drama, comedy and dance performances.

Model Village

A popular attraction in Wimborne Minster is Wimborne Model Town, one of the largest and longest established model towns in England. Built in the 1950s, the model town offers an impressive snapshot of the post-war state of development in the town, right down to the goods being advertised in the shop windows.

Shopping

Exploring the town's alleys, streets and courtyards is a great way to stumble across the various high street and small boutique shops in Wimborne Minster. Close to the town centre is Wimborne Market, held several times each week, where you'll find a colourful array of local produce, flowers and the occasional antique.

Further afield

A short drive west from the town centre will take you to Kingston Lacy, a large 17th-century country house set on beautiful country grounds. Head south from the town and you'll soon come across Poole and Bournemouth, two coastal towns that feature spectacular golden beaches and a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.