Gold Hill

That steep cobbled street you've seen in a thousand adverts - the one from the Hovis ad - is actually real, and it's in Shaftesbury. Gold Hill drops away so dramatically that you genuinely feel you might tumble down it if you're not careful. The view from the top looking out across the Blackmore Vale is properly spectacular, especially if you catch it on a clear morning when the mist is just lifting.

It's short. Very short. You can walk up and down the whole thing in about ten minutes, which catches a lot of people off guard after they've driven specifically to see it. But that brevity works in its favour - the cobbles are uneven enough that you'll want to take it slowly, and the old stone cottages flanking the street are genuinely worth photographing from multiple angles. The steepness means it's not ideal if you've got mobility issues or prams, but for a quick wander through what feels like a proper slice of medieval Dorset, it's worth the detour.

If you're staying at Gold Hill Glamping just up the road, you're laughing - literally a short stroll away. The town of Shaftesbury itself has enough cafes and shops to justify an hour or two, making this a decent half-morning activity rather than a standalone trip. Free to visit, obviously. Go on a weekday morning if you can to dodge the coachloads.