Sandbanks is at the mouth of Poole Harbour, a narrow strip of land with the harbour on one side, the sea on the other. It has a fine seafront and esplanade, and is a great place for sailing. A ferry service plies between Sandbanks and Shell Bay on the Studland side of the harbour.

Swanage is a bright attractive town, and although much of it is new there is a charming old part with cottages and a church with a twelfth century tower. Of interest in the neighbourhood is Corfe Castle; the Norman church at Studland, and near Durlston the great globe and Tilly Whim Caves.

Up to the late eighteenth century Weymouth was little known but then suddenly it became 'the place' for King George III came to enjoy the bathing. That is why much of the town is Georgian but along the front things have chaged with the times.

With the Purbeck Hills as a background, Poole is a paradise for sailing boats. Their white and coloured sails make a lively picture against a dark line of trees. The town, Dorset's largest, has many attractive and historic nooks and corners, particularly around the Old Quay.

Dorset's county town, Dorchester, was known in Roman times as 'Durnovaria', and many of its roads are directly on top of those left by the Romans. Thomas Hardy lived and wrote here, so did the gentle poet William Barnes. Nearby is prehistoric Maiden Castle.

Shaftesbury is an ancient hill-town on the northern edge of Cranborne Chase. From its steep winding lanes can be seen extensive views westward over Blackmoor Val into Somerset. King Alfred loved it so much that he founded an abbey here, but even long before that a town stood on this high escarpment.

From a mile inland this valley, with its trickling stream, dips and winds down to the sea. It is a place of loveliness with heather, rhododendrons, bracken, gorse - luxuriant trees too, and in their shade enticing sundappled paths. On a summer's day, the hum of bees, the scent of pine and between the rifts in the trees a shimmering blue sea, make Branksome a never to be forgotten experience.

Barton-on-Sea is almost at the centre of Christchurch Bay, between Milford-on-Sea and Highcliff, looking out almost straight on to the Isle of Wight and the Needles. It has fine cliff walks which afford splendid views, westwards to Swanage and eastwards to Hurst Castle.

North of Poole, in the Hardy country, is Wimborne Minster, which goes back to Roman times. It is a market town with narrow, twisting streets, on the River Stour. The Minster, which dates from the twelfth century, has many possessions, among them the burial place of King Ethelred, a Roman pavement, an ancient astronomical cloc and a chained library.

Ringwood lies in the valley of the River Avon. Its moment of history came 300 years ago. After the battle of Sedgemoor the Duke of Monmouth was taken to the house in the High Street where he wrote his impassioned but unsuccessful plea for mercy to his King.

There is no mistaking Salisbury for the graceful spire of its Cathedral is a landmark for miles around. It has ancient gateways and fine old buildings, but its jewel is the Cathedral. Salisbury is also well favoured with rivers, the Avon, Nadder and Bourne join forces on its outskirts. Old Sarum, Salisbury's predecessor, lies two miles to the north.

Lyndhurst is the 'Capital' of the New Forest and a typically English scene it makes when cricket is in progress on its lovely green. Among its interesting buildings is the ancient Verderers Hall; the King's house built in the reign of Charles II; and the church which has a painting by Lord Leighton, glass work by William Morris and in its churchyard none other than Alice of the 'Adventures in Wonderland'.

To most people Southampton means great liners, quays, cranes, and so forth, but there is another part of the town well worth seeing - a splendid Civic Centre, shops that are 'the pride of the South' and old sections of Southampton - Bar Gate, West Gate, The Tudor House, God's House and the City Wall. Close to West Gate is the Memorial commemorating the sailing of the Mayflower in 1620.

Burley lies among the low hills of the New Forest, Brockenhurst to the east, Ringwood to the west. On Castle Hill is an ancient camp dating from pre-Roman days, and from its summit there are splendid views over the Avon Valley to Dorset and Wiltshire. To the South is Holmsley Heat, wild moorland much favoured by Sir Walter Scott.

Lymington lies on the estuary of the River Boldre, It is a town with broad streets and fine Georgian houses; fhere is a general feeling of well-being about it, especially on its bustling market days. It is a great place for yacht-building and steamers bound for the western side of the Isle of Wight go across to Yarmouth.