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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Brenscombe Outdoor Centre

Type

Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre

CORFE CASTLE

Activities include: High ropes course, power boating, kayaking, climbing, mountain biking and so much more. The Centre is located in spectacular surroundings close to Corfe Castle and Poole Harbour. Experienced, qualified instructors provide…

Price £24.00 to £45.00 Activity
Royal Signals Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Blandford Forum

*Temporarily closed*. Interactive History, Science and Technology of army communication from Crimean War to Afghanistan . Codes and Code Breaking, Cyberwarfare, Special Forces, Vehicles, Equipment, uniforms, medals and badges on display.

Price £3.00 to £22.00 Per Ticket
Convent Walk

Type

Type:

Walking Route

CHRISTCHURCH

The Convent Walk is a tranquil route that follows the course of Mill Stream, as it runs parallel to the River Avon, from Town Bridge to Place Mill on Christchurch Quay. It is approximately 500 metres (0.5 km) long on a wide tarmac path suitable for…
V.W. Campervan Rental

Type

Type:

Car/Vehicle

WAREHAM

Classic VW Campervan hire located in Wareham, Dorset. Explore the area in the comfort of a fully equipped 1970's classic VW. All campervans are 4 berth and are great for weekend breaks, family holidays, weddings and promotional work.

Price £350.00 to £720.00 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
Paddle Steamer Monarch at Wareham

Type

Type:

Boat Trip

WAREHAM

Monarch is the world’s smallest commercial paddle steamer and one of only three operating in Britain. She is now operating on the River Frome from Wareham, licenced to carry 12 passengers. Monarch is also available for private party bookings and…

Price £5.00 to £10.00 Per Ticket
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
RSPB Weymouth Wetlands

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

WEYMOUTH

Weymouth is very lucky to have two top class nature reserves in the centre of town. Radipole lake has always been a favourite place for wildlife enthusiasts. Lodmoor is where you can encounter a vast range of bird species.
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.
Lemur Landings

Type

Type:

Adventure Park/Playground

POOLE

Explore leap, run, climb and play to the max. Childrens play zone.

Price £2.50 to £10.00 Per Ticket
The Tutankhamun Exhibition

Type

Type:

Museum

DORCHESTER
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
*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
Nea Meadows Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Natural Wildlife Site

Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH

A small quiet Local Nature Reserve (LNR) which has a lake, wildlife pond, woodland and two wildflower meadows with over two hundred and fifty species of flower.

Free
Wareham Forest

Type

Type:

Forest

WAREHAM

Walk or cycle through heathland and forest by Morden Bog National Nature Reserve: one of the largest valley mire habitats in England. Numerous picnic benches and a waymarked walk. Cyclists welcome on 2 metre paths or the Sika Trail - a 7 mile family…

Free
Kimmeridge Bay

Type

Type:

Natural Feature

Kimmeridge, WAREHAM

Kimmeridge Bay lies within a marine Special Area of Conservation and boasts the best rockpooling and safest snorkelling site in Dorset.

Free
Priory Cycle Ride

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

WAREHAM

An on-road circular cycle ride through the Frome Valley of 8 miles (13km). Why not stop half-way for a picnic or visit the farm shop and cafe at West Holme.
Wareham Two Rivers Walks

Type

Type:

Walking Route

WAREHAM

A network of signposted footpaths around Purbeck's internationally important wetlands, seen at their best from autumn to spring. There are two circular walks which are between 2 miles (3.2km) and 4 miles (6.5km), starting at Wareham Quay.
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
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
Charmouth Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

BRIDPORT

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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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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