There are many beautiful walks from the pub doorstep or a short drive away and numerous places of historical interest in the area, along with game fishing, shooting, and sightseeing in Shaftesbury or the nearby city of Salisbury.

A wide selection of country houses and gardens are situated in the area. Most notably, the Larmer Tree Gardens, Chettle House, Phillips House, Cranbourne Manor Gardens , Kingston Lacey House and Gardens, Longleat House, Lulworth Castle, Salisbury Cathedral, Stourhead Gardens and Wilton House.
Distances from the Compasses Inn are indicated below.

The Compasses Inn is sited in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and within one hour's drive of the New Forest, Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge and the delightful beaches of the south coast including Lulworth Cove and Studland Bay.

If you would like more suggestions of what to do in Dorset, the nearest county, please visit the 'Explore Rural Dorset' website. For ideas of what to do around Salisbury, click on 'visitwiltshire'.