family days in out Dorset - Bubbablue andme

Family days out in Dorset

Days out are some of our favourite things, whether it’s a weekend day popping out somewhere, or a day out while on holiday.  I’m reliving my childhood visiting around the UK, near home and further away, and love sharing it with N. So if you’re looking for days out in Dorset, you’re in the right place.

This series of days out posts are based on round ups of places we’ve loved on our travels.  Hopefully it’ll make them easier for you to find, especially if you’re looking for recommendations for places to visit. I’ll also be including recommendations from other bloggers, because if you’re looking for guidance on where to go you want to hear from local people as well as visitors to an area.

family days in out Dorset - Bubbablue andme

Museums, culture and history

Lulworth Castle

The home of Camp Bestival, a small castle easy for children to get around, with a nice children’s toy area to see what old toys were like. (we found it hard to find the exit once we got back to the car)

Nothe Fort

For naval history buffs, a chance to see what the fort was like, hear the cannons and explore the underground tunnels. Beautiful views in the sun overlooking Chesil Beach and Swanage

Corfe Castle 

We named it the Broken Castle, look out for event days and trails in school holidays

Etches Collection, Kimmeridge – celebrating fossils

Tank Museum , Bovington – For military and vehicle lovers

Nothe Fort roof
beautiful castle ruins - corfe castle c

National Trust

Studland Beach

Get free parking if you’re national trust, good facilities including boat hire, café, toilets, and a gentle beach into the sea for children.

Kingston Lacey

Beautiful house and gardens, bringing history to life for children

Wildlife and nature

Weymouth Sea Life centre

They added a Caribbean Cove play area in 2017. The café in the car park is cheap and ok for sandwiches if you don’t want to pay sealife prices

Bennetts Water Gardens

An oasis of calm off a busy road. Walk amongst the lily ponds, keep a watch on children as there’s no fences.

Abbotsbury swannery

Swans galore where they return each year to nest and have their cygnets. It’s a bit hard to find (we failed)

Dorset Heavy Horse Centre

Get up close to the horses, join in harnessing and other activities. Chance for wagon rides, and meeting other animals

Monkey World Ape rescue centre, nr Wool

Learn about the different monkeys and the conservation work they do here

Farmer Palmers

Check out the deer safari as well as the other animals

Upton Country Park

Older children and adults can do Segway adventures

Kingston Maurward

Farm with seasonal open days, check the facebook page for information

Bournemouth Oceanarium

A real treat for penguin lovers as well as the usual aquarium species

Moors Valley Country Park

Just pay for car parking and enjoy various trails, adventure playground and the meadow.  Pay for the miniature steam train and Go Ape

Seahorses at Weymouth Sealife Centre
Monet Bridge at Bennetts Water Gardens Weymouth

Beaches

Portland Bill and Chesil Beach

Remind yourself of your geography classes, take a windy walk over the pebbles at Chesil Beach, watch out for wildlife at the nature reserve and take cliff top walks at Portland Bill. There are height restrictions for climbing the lighthouse

Weymouth

Old fashioned seaside town. Good gently sloping beach for young children, complete with fairground rides, Punch and Judy shows and pedaloes. Watch out for seagulls if you’re eating on the beach – they steal food out of hands so take a beach shelter to hide the children under when eating

Charmouth for fossil hunting

Great tips for what to look for and where to find fossils at Charmouth

Lulworth Cove  

Picturesque cove complete with boat rides, with nearby Durdle Door just a walk away. It gets horrendously busy, so get there early or try out of season if you don’t want to see all the crowds

Weymouth & Portland Olympic rings overlooking Chesil Beach
Lulworth Cove shingle beach

Other

Mighty Claws Adventure Golf

Play crazy golf among dinosaurs, volcano and lava waterfall

Pecorama 

For train lovers with a museum and steam train to ride. There’s also crazy golf, a playground and train themed soft play

Dorset Waterpark, Corfe

For over 6 years old, water inflatables course

Swanage steam railway

Travel along the historic line. Choice of places to join or exit – we went to Corfe Castle by train.

Where to stay

Caalm Camp Glamping

Camp in comfort at this beautiful glamping site.

Hoburne Park caravan park

Complete with entertainment and pool

Where would you add to the list of must go’s in Dorset?

Why not take a look at these similar posts.

days out devon
days out hampshire
days out warwickshire
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4 Comments

  1. Loads of great ideas here! We love Moors Valley – seems like endless entertainment there

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