Family fun awaits you at Adventure Wonderland
Family fun at the Dorset Heavy Horse Centre
Monkey World Primate Rescue Centre

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Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Get active in the outdoors and have yourself a family adventure. Children will love the ‘Play…

Henley Hillbillies

*LATEST UPDATE* Henley Hillbillies will be closed for 2020. Quad Biking (8yrs +) and shooting…

Brownsea Island

A beautiful island with wonderful views, history & wildlife including rare red squirrels and birds,…

Weymouth Beach

This award-winning sandy beach is overlooked by a magnificent Georgian seafront, located at the…

If you’re seeking fun-packed days out in Dorset with the kids, we've got loads of ideas to keep all ages entertained.

There’s animals to meet, dinoaurs to discover, castles to explore, thrilling rides and sports of all sorts.

One thing’s for sure, we can guarantee you and the family won’t be bored on your holiday. Get ready for some great fun!

What shall we do today?

It’s not difficult to keep the kids (and parents) entertained in Dorset as there’s a fair share of star family attractions hidden in amongst all that lovely West Country scenery.

One of the most renowned ape rescue centres in the world, Monkey World is home to over 230 rescued and endangered apes and monkeys. A great day out for your cheeky chimps!

Moors Valley Country Park has something for everyone. Set in 1000 acres of parkland and forest you can explore the way marked trails, tree-top walkways and tackle the high wire adventure.

Enjoy some fun down on the farm at Farmer Palmers. This is a great day out for under 8s with a brilliant adventure playground and a number of animal based activities.

If a family theme park is what the kids crave, Adventure Wonderland is the place for you. With over 30 family rides and attractions, the park takes its inspiration from Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland. The children will love meeting Alice, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, Mr Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat.

Inspirational days out

You’ll never be stuck for interesting things to see and do in Dorset, even when the British weather takes a turn for the worse. Don’t panic, Dorset has plenty of indoor fun to keep everyone entertained.

For your little soldiers, the Tank Museum is a must. Learn the story of the tank and look around a massive display of armoured vehicles; you can even take part in a trench experience. Tonnes of fun for everyone!

Kids will love the amazing variety of museums in Dorset where children of all ages can learn, explore, touch, and discover. Board a Concorde aircraft, be amazed at life sized dinosaurs and teddy bears, see Tutankhamun’s tomb and have your photo taken with Mr Bean’s yellow mini!

If the children need to let off some steam, take them to Lemur Landings – a huge soft play centre with bridges to cross, tunnels to explore and plenty of clambering up, sliding down and running around.

Get back to nature

For any animal lovers in your family, Dorset won’t disappoint. Dorset is home to some of the very best riding stables that cater for little ones and big ones!

Enjoy a trek across the open countryside or enjoy one on one tuition with an experienced instructor with Rosewall Equestrian or Lulworth Equestrian Centre.

For those of you not keen on riding your animal companion, why not lead a loving Donkey or exotic Llama while taking some of the sites and sounds of the countryside on an organised walk.

On the crest of a wave

It’s not surprising that with Dorset’s fantastic coastline that we have some of the very best water based activities that you’ll find anywhere. Dorset is home to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy and its waters hosted the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympics. Spend a day out on the water and see if you’ve got what it takes to be the next Ben Ainsley.

The best view of Dorset’s world heritage coastline is most certainly from the water so the chance to enjoy a blast along the coast in a specially adapted RIB shouldn't be missed. Book a session with Lyme Bay RIB Charter to experience a ride you’ll never forget, just remember to hold on tight!!

Did you know that the RNLI headquarters and national training college is in Poole? Why not take a behind the scenes tour of the RNLI College to find out how their crews and lifeguards are trained and be given the chance to explore the college and its training facilities, including their world-class Sea Survival Centre, which hosts the wave tank and Lifeboat simulator. Maybe the little ones will be inspired to become a lifeguard?

Be creative

If you'd like to try something different, then a visit to Burngate Stone Carving Centre is a must. They run 2 hour sessions for both adults and children. Try carving a flower, name or your favourite animal.

Fit and fun

Don’t forget that Dorset also has a number of modern sports centres offering a vast array of activities, from badminton and squash through to family fun session’s poolside or outside.

Experience the country life

The biggest and best attractions in Dorset aren’t those that would immediately spring to mind; they’re our beaches, cliffs, harbours, woods and meadows – places that are absolutely free to go and see! If you’re after a great family day out that won’t cost you a penny, come and experience some of Dorset’s finest natural wonders.

A picnic at Durdle Door will entertain the whole family. Spend the day at Dorset’s most famous landmark and soak up the atmosphere at this magnificent beauty spot. Splash in the sea, play games, relax and enjoy some quality family time.

Start planning your family adventures today

In order to get the most out of your stay in Dorset and experience as many attractions as possible, it is advisable to book some accommodation.

We are proud to offer a wide range of accommodation that is suitable for families, whether you’re looking for hotels, B&Bs, holiday cottages, caravan parks or camping facilities, you can rest assured we have everything here for you to enjoy during your stay in Dorset.

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Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

Portland

Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park is an abandoned stone quarry which has now been turned into a stone sculpture park. Now one of Portland’s most popular attractions, you can discover over 60 hidden sculptures in the Quarry, such as…
Dorset Pass

Type

Type:

Outdoors

POOLE

A sightseeing pass that will gain you free entry into various attractions across Dorset and more! Available for 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. The pass activates at the first attraction you visit, which allows you to pre-book your pass before you arrive…

Price £25.00 to £60.00 Per Ticket
Steamer Point Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

Friar's Cliff, CHRISTCHURCH

Steamer Point is a 24 acre cliff top designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR) that is situated between Highcliffe Castle and Friar's Cliff on the Christchurch coastline. It comprises of woodland, aquatic habitats, flora and fauna.

Free
RSPB Arne Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

WAREHAM

Arne is celebrated for its lowland heathland, which is rare in Europe, and its wildlife including Dartford warblers, nightjars, all six species of British reptile, plus many species of butterflies, dragonflies, and moths.

Free
Land and Wave

Type

Type:

Adventure Sport Centre

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
Climbing, Coasteering, Sea Kayaking, Bushcraft, Raft Building, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & more in Swanage and The Purbecks. Excellent instructors, top notch kit and passion for the Great Outdoors.
Price £25.00 to £137.00 Per Ticket
Burngate Stone Carving Centre

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
We will reopen from Easter 2021 with our usual courses: stone carving, sculpture, letter carving, family sessions - as well as new workshops. Sale of locally produced items including headgear, hosiery, jewellery, candles, cards and artwork. Tea…
Price £20.00 to £95.00 Course
The Norman House, Castle Keep & Motte

Type

Type:

Historic Site

CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch Castle was built in the late 11th Century to protect the town. The once luxurious Constable's House, now in ruins, has the oldest Norman chimney in Britain and was built around 1150. The Castle saw action in the Anarchy about 1147 and…

Free
Two Riversmeet Leisure Complex

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre

CHRISTCHURCH

Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre includes two swimming pools, a fitness suite, a cardio suite, two football pitches and more.
Boscombe Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Start your adventure on Boscombe exciting, activity packed stretch of award-winning Blue Flag beach - the perfect family playground.
Purewell Meadows Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Natural Wildlife Site

Purewell, CHRISTCHURCH

Purewell Meadows is a nature reserve with four hectares of public open space, most of which is grasses and sedges but there are also a large number of flowering plants. These include Ragged Robin and Devils Bit Scabious.

Free
Wareham Walls

Type

Type:

Historic Site

WAREHAM

The Walls are Saxon ramparts which surround the historic town of Wareham. Paths on the walls give good views of the River Piddle and town, and link into the ‘Bowling Green’ open space. Walks leaflet from Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham.

Free
Highcliffe Castle Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

HIGHCLIFFE, Christchurch

A beautiful, rural, shingle and sand beach set against tree-lined cliffs.

Free
The Dinosaur Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

DORCHESTER

*Temporarily closed*. Fossils, skeletons, life-size dinosaur reconstructions plus hands-on and multimedia displays provide great family fun at this award winning museum.

Price £6.99 to £8.99 Per Ticket
Gundimore Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Mudeford, CHRISTCHURCH

Great views of the Isle of Wight and Mudeford Sandbank.

Free
Friars Cliff Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Friars Cliff, CHRISTCHURCH

This shingle and sand beach is an ideal spot for a family trip to the seaside. Beach huts line the promenade which is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Free
Corfe Castle Model Village and Gardens

Type

Type:

Model/Miniature Village

CORFE CASTLE

A detailed 1/20th scale model of Corfe Castle and village before its destruction by Thomas Cromwell's army in 1646. Set in an acre of landscaped gardens.

Price Free to £15.00 Per Ticket
Symondsbury Walking & Cycling Trail

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

Mill Lane, SYMONDSBURY

The scenic trail leads you down tracks and across fields where views of hills and valleys stretch to Colmers Hill and the sea beyond. It is 5 miles (8km) long.
Dorset Falconry Park

Type

Type:

Animal Collection

DORCHESTER
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
*LATEST UPDATE* Re-opens Spring 2021 - date to be confirmed. Dorset Falconry Park is set in a beautiful rural 7 acre site in Lewell near the A35. It has over 100 birds of prey on display which include Owls, Hawks, Eagles, Falcons and Vultures. See…
Shell Bay Sailing Centre

Type

Type:

Watersports Centre

STUDLAND
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
Dinghy sailing tuition, RYA courses, dinghy hire.
Price £20.00 Activity to £55.00 Course
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
178 reviews
Tower Park Entertainment Centre

Type

Type:

Leisure/Swimming Pool

POOLE

The South Coast’s leading entertainment centre with Cinema, Bowling, Children's Soft Play Area, Bingo, Fitness Centre, many restaurants and Splashdown - the UK’s most exciting indoor and outdoor water rides.

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Highlights

What shall we do today?

Inspirational days out

Get back to nature

On the crest of a wave

Be creative

Fit and fun

Experience the country life

Start planning your family adventures today

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