Accommodation in Dorset
Things To Do in Dorset
Places To Eat & Drink in Dorset
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If you are looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out for all the family, you'll love…
Bringing history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays.…
*Temporarily closed*. The world's greatest discovery of Ancient Treasure - Tutankhamun's tomb,…
Adults and children alike will be captivated by the romantic Corfe Castle ruins and it's…
*Temporarily closed*. Fossils, skeletons, life-size dinosaur reconstructions plus hands-on and…
Turn a regular day out in Weymouth into a full-blown adventure! The Weymouth Mystery Treasure Trail…
The finest single collection of Late Jurassic age fossils in Britain, housed in a purpose built,…
Dorset’s number 1 family theme park, great range of family rides and attractions means there’s even…
Farmer Palmers Farm Park has re-opened - pre-booking admission is now essential. Please visit…
*LATEST UPDATE* Activities are suspended until further notice. Lulworth Outdoors are a passionate,…
Splashdown Poole has now re-opened with updated opening hours and operating procedures to help with…
This award-winning sandy beach is overlooked by a magnificent Georgian seafront, located at the…
To inject a sense of fun into your family days out then head to Moors Valley Country Park and…
Enjoy a fun-filled, fascinating day out for all the family at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre.
Magnificent Grade I Listed 1830's mansion built by Lord Stuart de Rothesay.
*LATEST UPDATE* Henley Hillbillies will be closed for 2020. Quad Biking (8yrs +) and shooting…
Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park has now re-opened for pre-booked tickets. Explore an amazing…
Brewery Square is a vibrant and stylish regeneration in the heart of Dorchester which currently…
Enjoy a nostalgic steam-train ride on the Purbeck line. Steam trains run for most of the year -…
A beautiful island with wonderful views, history & wildlife including rare red squirrels and birds,…
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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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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…
Animal Collection
DORCHESTER
*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…
Activity Centre
SWANAGE
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…
Museum
DORCHESTER
*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.
Beach
Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH
Highcliffe Beach is just a few minutes walk from the village centre and has excellent cliff top parking.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
Sport/Leisure Centre
CHRISTCHURCH
Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre includes two swimming pools, a fitness suite, a cardio suite, two football pitches and more.
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…
Beach
Bournemouth
Start your adventure on Boscombe exciting, activity packed stretch of award-winning Blue Flag beach - the perfect family playground.
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,…
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.
Watersports Centre
STUDLAND
Dinghy sailing tuition, RYA courses, dinghy hire.
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.
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).
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