Fun and adventure awaits you in Dorset
Family fun at the Dorset Heavy Horse Centre
Monkey World Primate Rescue Centre

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Highlights

The Great Dorset Steam Fair

If you are looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out for all the family, you'll love…

The Tank Museum

Bringing history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays.…

The Tutankhamun Exhibition

*Temporarily closed*. The world's greatest discovery of Ancient Treasure - Tutankhamun's tomb,…

Corfe Castle

Adults and children alike will be captivated by the romantic Corfe Castle ruins and it's…

Literary Dorset
Dorset's Jurassic Coast

Visit our stunning Jurassic Coast and enjoy 'a walk through time', you might even find your own fossil along the way!
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre

Enjoy a fun-filled, fascinating day out for all the family at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre.
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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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Number of results: 127

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Dorset Adventures

Type

Type:

Adventure Sports

We specialise in Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddle boarding, Rock Climbing, Coasteering, Archery, Axe & Knife Throwing! Our team of qualified and experienced instructors offer a range of adventurous activities around Shaftesbury, and the…
Dorset Falconry Park

Type

Type:

Animal Collection

DORCHESTER
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
*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…
Burngate Stone Carving Centre

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
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 Tutankhamun Exhibition

Type

Type:

Museum

DORCHESTER
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
*Temporarily closed*. The world's greatest discovery of Ancient Treasure - Tutankhamun's tomb, treasures and mummy are superbly recreated in this internationally renowned exhibition - spanning time itself.
Price £6.99 to £8.99 Per Ticket
Highcliffe Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH

Highcliffe Beach is just a few minutes walk from the village centre and has excellent cliff top parking.

Free
Mude Valley

Type

Type:

Natural Wildlife Site

Mudeford, CHRISTCHURCH

An urban wildlife corridor made up of Mudeford and Peregrine Woods, including a variety of natural habitats - woodland, grassland, the river and associated wetlands. It includes amenity areas and is surrounded by extensive urban development. The…

Free
Swanage Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

SWANAGE

Swanage has a gently sloping white sand beach which is sheltered and generally calm. The award winning beach is well served by local businesses providing refreshments and services.
Upton Wood

Type

Type:

Forest

Upton, POOLE

A small woodland on the edge of Upton (opposite Upton Country Park). The Wood includes footpaths, cyclepaths and Woodland Trail, also running streams, open glades and seats to sit and rest a while. Map and leaflet available from Discover Purbeck…

Free
St Catherine's Hill Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

CHRISTCHURCH

The highest area of land in Christchurch is also part of the largest and most significant area of heathland in the Borough providing habitat for rare species such as the Smooth Snake and Sand Lizard.

Free
Bournemouth Beaches

Type

Type:

Beach

BOURNEMOUTH

The beaches at Bournemouth stretch for 7 miles between the coastal towns of Poole and Christchurch.
All of the beaches are soft sand and very family friendly. They are some of the safest beaches in the UK with RNLI Lifeguards based there…

Free
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
258 reviews
RNLI College Discovery Tours

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

POOLE

*LATEST UPDATE* The RNLI College is currently closed. Find out how RNLI crews and lifeguards are trained with a behind the scenes 90 minute tour of the RNLI College. Conducted by our dedicated volunteer tour guides, you will be given the chance to…

Price £2.50 to £7.50 Per Ticket
Avon Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Mudeford, CHRISTCHURCH

Avon Beach is great for families with small children and people with disabilities as it has it's own car park level with the beach.

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.
Southbourne Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Southbourne Beach is one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy and shingle beaches situated further to the West of Bournemouth, away from the hustle and…
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1568 reviews
Dorset Adventure Park

Type

Type:

Watersports Centre

CORFE CASTLE

*LATEST UPDATE* Dorset Adventure Park will be closed for 2020. A huge inflatable woodland waterpark and 2km mud trail with 50 obstacles, all overlooking Corfe Castle. Come and tackle the slides, trampolines, gladiator rings, jumps, hurdles, rollers,…

Price £8.00 Activity to £17.00 Per Ticket
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
Shell Bay Sailing Centre

Type

Type:

Watersports Centre

STUDLAND
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Dinghy sailing tuition, RYA courses, dinghy hire.
Price £20.00 Activity to £55.00 Course
Charmouth Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Lyme Regis

Charmouth Beach is slightly shelving and is made up of pebbles and sand. Charmouth Beach is famous for its fossils, especially in winter months due to the rough seas.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
136 reviews
The Rex Cinema

Type

Type:

Cinema

WAREHAM

125 seat Cinema and Theatre, often hosting special event evenings. Family Film Matinees during school holidays. Charming old fashioned interior dating from 1920 and own Bar. Also a venue for The Purbeck Film Festival (www.purbeckfilm.com).

Price Free to £7.00 Per Ticket

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Family Friendly Things To Do

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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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