4-Day Itinerary: Exploring Crossways, Dorset (Within 10-Mile Radius)
This plan is tailored for lovers of history, architecture, and scenic photography, with a strong focus on efficient routing and great food. Each day includes landmark visits and local culinary highlights based on consistently high ratings on Trustpilot and Google Reviews (4.5 stars or above).
I’m initially undertaking this photography project as a tourist. As a photographer, I’m making notes of places I’ll return to when I can make more time to get the ideal shots. For me, and most photographers, the ideal times for shooting are in the morning (blue hour) and evening around dusk (golden hour). However, due to time constraints and wanting to cover some ground, I don’t always get the opportunity to get the ideal shot. Also, I’m really not a morning person and with sunrise being at 5am here in the Spring/Summer, I struggle to motivate myself to wake up at 4am. I’m working on it!
It is my intention to try and follow this plan as much as I can. I will admit that I very rarely eat 3 meals a day but perhaps I’ll just try having something light and/or sweet for lunch 🙂
There are various versions of this plan, this one which includes things to do within 10 miles, another with a radius of 15 miles and a further post for a 20 mile radius (the later two to be published soon)
Images to come of the venues I do get to visit
AI Generated images used as placeholders for visuals.
Day 1: Dorchester & Maiden Castle
Morning:
- Breakfast at Walnut Grove Cafe, Dorchester – A beloved local spot offering hearty breakfasts, excellent coffee, and friendly service (4.7★ Google). Located just off the high street, it has a warm and welcoming interior ideal for a relaxed start.
- Head to Dorset Museum, Dorchester – A must-visit for anyone interested in local history, archaeology, and Thomas Hardy’s legacy. Highlights include Roman mosaics, the fossil-rich Jurassic Coast gallery, and Hardy’s personal study. Admission is £10.95 for adults (concessions available) and free for under 21s.
Midday:
- Lunch at The Potting Shed Cafe, Poundbury – Fresh, seasonal menu with strong reviews (4.8★ Google), great for light bites and excellent cakes. Cosy and full of botanical charm, it’s perfect for a break between historical stops.
- Walk around Poundbury, Prince Charles’ model village. Excellent for architectural photography with its Georgian facades, neoclassical features, and uniquely planned urban layout.
Afternoon:
- Visit Maiden Castle, one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe. Open all year and free to enter, the expansive ramparts and views across the Dorset countryside make for dramatic landscape photography.
Dinner:
- Yalbury Cottage Restaurant, Lower Bockhampton – Fine dining with locally sourced Dorset ingredients. The tasting menu is a highlight, with elegant presentation and exceptional service (4.9★ Google). Booking in advance is recommended.
Day 2: Crossways, Clouds Hill & Moreton
Morning:
- Breakfast at The Rusty Duck Cafe, Crossways – A rustic, independent café serving freshly cooked breakfasts, home-baked cakes, and barista-style coffee. With a friendly community feel and artisan interiors, it’s a great place to start the day and also the host of an upcoming iris photography pop-up event (4.8★ Google). The Rusty Duck frequently hosts local events and supports independent artists and creatives, making it more than just a café – it’s a vibrant part of the Crossways community. Visit their Facebook page for the latest news:
facebook.com/therustyduckcrossways. serving freshly cooked breakfasts, home-baked cakes, and barista-style coffee. With a friendly community feel and artisan interiors, it’s a great place to start the day and also the host of an upcoming iris photography pop-up event (4.8★ Google). - Visit Clouds Hill, the isolated retreat of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). A small but evocative cottage preserved as he left it. Highlights include his original furniture, personal artefacts, and his legendary reading room. Entry is £6.50 (free for National Trust members).
Midday:
- Walk to St Nicholas Church in Moreton – Famous for its stunning etched glass windows by Sir Laurence Whistler, created to replace the originals destroyed in WWII. A peaceful setting for architectural and detail photography. Allow 30–45 minutes.
- Lunch at The Frampton Arms, Moreton – Traditional pub grub with a gastropub twist (4.6★ Google). Seasonal menus include dishes like slow-roasted pork belly and vegan lentil shepherd’s pie.
Afternoon:
- Explore Moreton Ford and Walks – A shallow ford crossing the River Frome and a tranquil riverside walk through woodland and open meadows. Great for reflection photography and capturing wildlife.
Dinner:
- The Wise Man Inn, West Stafford – Modern British cuisine in a rustic pub setting. Menu favourites include venison, duck confit, and hearty vegetarian options. The pub is lauded for its warm service and locally sourced produce (4.8★ Trustpilot).
Day 3: Osmington & Ringstead Bay
Morning:
- Breakfast at The Lookout Cafe, Bowleaze Cove – Offers sea views and a full breakfast menu including vegetarian and gluten-free options (4.5★ Google). A popular stop for early walkers and surfers.
- Head to Osmington White Horse – An 1808 chalk hill figure of King George III on horseback. Best photographed from the ridge trail above or the viewpoint near Sutton Poyntz. There are walking paths with good elevation and sweeping coastal views.
Midday:
- Lunch at The Black Dog Inn, Broadmayne – This 17th-century inn serves traditional pub fare in a thatched setting with low beams and roaring fireplaces. Expect seasonal pies, fish and chips, and vegan burgers (4.6★ Google).
- Drive to Ringstead Bay – A lesser-known but incredibly scenic pebble beach, ideal for seascape photography and quiet walks. There’s a clifftop path offering views toward Weymouth and the Jurassic Coast. Free parking available at the National Trust car park, with a 15-minute walk down to the shore.
Afternoon:
- Optional short hike along the South West Coast Path from Ringstead toward White Nothe, offering panoramic views and dramatic cliffs. Great spot for landscape photography and wildlife.
Dinner:
- The Sailor’s Return, Chaldon Herring – A rustic yet refined pub known for seafood and seasonal specials. Try the crab linguine or pan-seared hake (4.9★ Trustpilot). Advance booking advised.
Day 4: Athelhampton & Tolpuddle
Morning:
- Breakfast at The Blue Vinny, Puddletown – A country pub with a strong breakfast offering including local eggs, sourdough, and fresh coffee (4.6★ Google). Cosy interior and dog-friendly.
- Visit Athelhampton House & Gardens – One of England’s finest Tudor manors, dating back to 1485. The Great Hall, intricate topiary gardens, and riverside walk make it ideal for architectural and garden photography. Entry is £16.50 for adults (concessions available).
Midday:
- Lunch at The Thimble Inn, Piddlehinton – A charming country inn serving seasonal lunches with high-end pub classics (4.7★ Google). Outdoor terrace and open fires inside.
- Head to Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum – A compact but important museum telling the story of the six farm workers who played a pivotal role in the development of British trade unionism. Free entry; allow about 45 minutes for your visit.
Afternoon:
- Short walk around Tolpuddle Village and its commemorative tree and sculpture trail. Excellent spot for thoughtful photography and quiet reflection on social history.
Dinner:
- Yalbury Cottage Restaurant, Lower Bockhampton – Return here for a farewell meal if missed earlier, or alternatively try The Wise Man Inn again for a more relaxed pub experience.
Photography Highlights Summary:
- Maiden Castle (wide-angle landscapes)
- Poundbury (architectural photography)
- Osmington White Horse (panoramas)
- Ringstead Bay (coastal and long exposure)
- Athelhampton House (historic architecture and formal gardens)
- St Nicholas Church, Moreton (glass and light studies)
This revised itinerary maintains tight travel boundaries (all locations verified within a 10-mile radius of Crossways via Google Maps), ensuring you enjoy a seamless mix of history, natural beauty, and culinary delights.
This itinerary keeps daily travel minimal, maximises landmark visits, and ensures the culinary journey matches the visual one.
Let me know your thoughts as to whether you think itinerary posts like this would be helpful to you on your travels?
Until next time,
Be Safe. Be Happy. And Be Kind 🙏
