May Half Term in Dorset

The 2025 May half term school holiday is coming around fast and there really is no better place to spend your valuable time off than right here in Dorset!

Dorset offers lots of fabulous days out with a huge variety of family-friendly attractions, activities and wonderful events to enjoy. We’re so confident that you will be blown away with what's on offer you’ll be back again very soon.

Don’t believe us? Just take a look at what’s on offer this May half term…

Half term events in Dorset

Enjoy all the fun of the fair at the Sherborne Castle Country Fair on Monday 26 May. Held in the grounds of the historic Sherborne Castle, enjoy an action packed day of activities and displays.

There are a number of family-friendly festivals taking place across the county during half term and most of them are free. Children will be enchanted at the Swanage Fairy Festival or for tasty treats head over to Christchurch Food Festival. Little ones will love dressing up as a pirate at Swanage's annual Pirate Festival - watch the Pirate Parade, visit the living history village and see live re-enactments.

If your family loves music festivals, there's 3 taking place during the half term week, all welcoming families and offering weekend family tickets or reduced price day tickets for children. You can even camp overnight at Cursus Music Festival and Family Fest. And don't forget the free Wessex Folk Festival, where they'll be dancing on Weymouth harbourside during the 2 day event.

New for 2025, the Great Tail Trail is taking place across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole throughout the school holidays. See if you can find all 45 colourful mermaid tails in a variety of locations in all 3 towns, raising funds for Julia's House Children's Hospice.

Family friendly Dorset attractions

Many of Dorset’s attractions offer some wonderful days out during the school holidays to keep your gang entertained.

During May and June, cygnets will be hatching at Abbotsbury Swannery which is always popular with our youngest visitors.

The Tank Museum always offers a gigantic day out during May half term. Experience the biggest day out in history and see tanks roll into action with realistic life like explosions accompanied by expert commentary.

With such a great variation of days out and events you really will find something to entertain everyone here in Dorset.

May half term on a budget

Offering great value for a family day out, check out our blog to find 30 days out costing less than £30.

For some great low-cost or no-cost days out in Dorset read our low-cost holidays blog or check out our top ten ideas for free days out. Explore castles, go on a nature trail or ride your bike for a cycling adventure in our beautiful countryside.

Dorset also has over 50 attractions offering free tickets for children, making your day out that little bit more affordable.

There are also museums, country parks, hill forts and more which offer free admission. See the full list of over 200 free things to do in our wonderful county.

And don't forget to look at our Special Offers page to see what deals and discounts are available to save some money during your break.

Explore all Dorset has to offer

Don’t forget that Dorset also has lots of stunning countryside, breath-taking beaches and gorgeous towns and villages to discover.

Sample our county’s world famous food and drink at our wonderful restaurants, pubs, inns and tearooms. With the quality of produce on offer, spending some time here is a must for anyone serious about top quality food and drink.

If you’re looking for further inspiration in planning your break in Dorset, make sure you check our Visit Dorset blog. You’ll find some great articles, including guest blogs, about what to see and do during your get-away.