ATTRACTIONS & PLACES TO VISIT IN WEST DORSET

100 Giggles is a soft play cafe in the heart of Poundbury.  The venue is suitable for children aged 5 and under and has a two story play frame, tunnels, obstacles and ball pit.  There’s also a café and seating area for parents to relax.

Address: 179 Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorset, DT1 3AH

Facebook: 100 Giggles

The Palm House is a unique cafe and pre-school play centre, based in an Edwardian glasshouse in the heart of Weymouth.  It provides a safe, comfortable, creative environment where children can play, whilst parents relax, always within sight of the children.  Whether indoors or outdoors, the wide range of toys, equipment, books, puzzles and games will keep children entertained, rain or shine.

Extensive menu of homemade food, including children’s meals, pancakes and waffles, cakes, breakfasts and lunches, local handicrafts for sale and lots more.  The Palm House also hosts regular craft workshops and featured fun weeks.

Address: The Palm House, Melcombe Regis Car Park, Commercial Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7DW

Facebook: The Palm House

The Keep Military Museum aims to educate, inspire and to honour the sacrifices made by the members of our Regiments.  Displays cover four floors and take you on a 300 year journey through military history.  Artifacts have amazing stories to tell, some will surprise you!  Don’t forget to visit the roof for panoramic views of Dorchester and the Dorset countryside.

Address: The Keep Military Museum, Barrack Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RN

Website: The Keep Military Museum

Foxdown Farm is a small, friendly children's farm with a variety of traditional large and small farm animals to view, feed and interact with. They offer pre-bookable up close and personal feeding tours and general admission entry.  Children will enjoy small animal handling of guinea pigs and rabbits plus there’s a refreshments cabin selling snacks, cake and cream teas.

Address: Foxdown Children’s Farm, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 5QB

Website: Foxdown Farm

Abbotsbury Swannery is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting mute swans.  There's lots of other activities to do including tractor trailer rides, play area, giant maze plus a café if you're feelish peckish.

Address: Abbotsbury Swannery, New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4JG

Abbotsbury Swannery Review: Dorsetmums Blog

Website: Abbotsbury Swannery

The amazing subtropical gardens has a wonderful mixture of formal and informal flowers, ponds, stunning view points, a sculpture trail, Burma rope bridge and even a children's play area.  Facilities include toilets with baby change, a restaurant, gift shop and plant centre.

Address: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Review: Dorsetmums Blog

Website: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Enjoy stunning formal gardens set in 35 acres, visit the many farm animals and let the children run around the play park and new indoor play barn.  Facilities include a café and gift shop.

Address: Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PY

Kingston Maurward Review: Dorsetmums Blog

Website: Kingston Maurward

There's over 1000 marine creatures to see plus a huge fun play area and splash zone.  Facilities include toilets, baby change, restaurant and cafe.

Address: SEA LIFE Adventure Park, Lodmoor Country
Park, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX

SEA LIFE Adventure Park Review: Dorsetmums Blog

Website: SEA LIFE Weymouth

The Fort is a labyrinth of underground passageways and outdoor areas and stands at the entrance to Weymouth harbour.  There's plenty to see and do with the family and perfect picnic spots or a cafe selling lucnhes and snacks.

Address: Nothe Fort, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UF

Website: Nothe Fort

Shire Hall Courthouse brings over 200 years of justice and injustice to life.  Walk in the footsteps of people whose lives were forever changed in the historic court.  Immerse yourself in the cells before ascending to the dock.  Facilities include toilets,  cafe and gift shop.

Address: Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UY

Shire Hall Review: Dorsetmums Blog

Website: Shire Hall Dorset

Cresta run slide, go carts and super fun for all the family.

Address: Leisure Ranch, Lodmoor Country Park, Preston Road, Weymouth, DT4 7SX

Facebook: Leisure Ranch

Skatepark with a range of ramps, skateshop, café and lounge area.

Address: Front Skatepark, Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX

Website: Weymouth Skate Park

From the earliest antique teddy bear to today's TV favourites you will find them all waiting to greet you in the museum.

Address: Teddy Bear Museum, Eastgate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1JU

Website: Teddy Bear Museum

Sandworld is a unique attraction with huge detailed sand sculptures.  There is also a playsand pit, have a go sculpture area, fill a sand bottle area, cafe and gift shop.

Address: Sandworld, Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX

Sandworld Review: Sandworld Blog

Website: Sandworld

This stunning 15th Century house is steeped in history and set in breathtaking gardens.  The Topiary Restaurant is a must and serves wonderful food, freshly made cakes and scones.

Location: 5 miles East of Dorchester, off the A35 at Puddletown Northbrook

Website: Athelhampton House and Garden

Gone Potty art studio has lots of fantastic pottery to paint plus a lovely free play area for under 5’s.  Choose from one of the many pieces or pop in with your baby to create a baby/hand print keepsake.  Facilities include toilet with baby change and refreshments are available.

Address: Gone Potty, 12a Frederick Place, St Thomas Street, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8HQ

Website: Gone Potty

The huge playframe is spread over 5 levels and has a separate sports area and toddler activity area.  Facilities include a restaurant selling hot and cold food.

Address: Sharky's Fun Factory, 7 Albany Road, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9TH

Website: Fun Factory Weymouth

Built in the 1540's to protect against French and Spanish invasion Portland castle stands overlooking the Harbour.  Stroll around the Castle and enjoy relaxing in the Captains Tea Room.
Admission prices apply for non English Heritage members.

Address: Portland Castle, Liberty Road, Castletown, Dorset, DT5 1AZ

Website: English Heritage Portland Castle

Hidden away in Bowleaze Cove is a fun park with lots of entertainment for the whole family including rides, amusement arcade, indoor soft play, seaside food and drink and much more.
Free entry to the park however ticket prices for rides and the soft play apply.

Address: Fantasy Island Fun Park, Bowleaze Coveway, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 6PW

Website: Fantasy Island Fun Park

The Country Park covers 350 acres and features a whole host of attractions for all the family including the Rio Grande Model Railway.

Address: Lodmoor Country Park, Preston Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX 

Website: Weymouth Town Council

Wemouth Player Ready has 10 pods of VR gaming with a huge choice of content suitable for younger kids or the most avid fan of intense zombie horror.  Switch to Wireless VR free roam arena allows players to join into fun multiplayer experiences like LaserTag and Cops & Robbers with freedom to move around together.  The console gaming zone has two large screens with fun multiplayer consoles perfect for entertaining children at parties.  The 4 player Immersive Racing Sims are setup with or without VR, depending on if you want a fun or a more realistic sim racing experience.

Player Ready also have a dozen Immersive Escape Rooms for up to six guests, perfect for an older family or adult group.

Address: Weymouth Player Ready, 33-35 Maiden Street, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8BA

Website: Weymouth Player Ready

Seal's Cove is a fun indoor activity venue.  The Reef Soft Play has a multi level play frame with tunnels, fun obstacles and super slides.  The Jurassic Ridge Climbing Centre has several climbing walls and there is also a cafe serving drinks, cakes and light lunches.

Address: Seal's Cove, Shoe Lane, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3EX

Website: Seal's Cove

Vurlands Animal Farm strives to provide a fun and adventurous day out for all the family.  They have a large selection of animals including Guinea Pigs and Rabbits, Tortoises, Poultry and Winston the Wallaby plus larger animals such as Donkeys, Sheep, Lambs, Pigs, Goats, Alpacas and Rheas.  They also have a fab play area with monkey swing and exploring tunnel, plus an establishing Willow Maze and in the good weather conditions a bouncy castle.

Address: Vurlands Animal Farm, Coast Road, Swyre, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9DB

Website: Vurlands Animal Farm

Discover the local fish and marine life of the Jurassic coast in an exciting interactive environment with the possibility of being able to handle certain live specimens.

Address: Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium, The Cobb, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JJ

Website: Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium

The Exhibition offers a travel back in times of ancient Egypt where you can discover the amazing recreation of Tutankhamun's Tomb, treasures and much more.

Address: Tutankhamun Exhibition, 25 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UW

Website: Tutankhamun Exhibition

Dorset Falconry Park (home of Xtreme Falconry - the off site display team) has over 100 birds and daily shows.

Address: Dorset Falconry Park, Lewell Mill Lane, Lewell, Dorchester, DT2 8AN

Website: Dorset Falconry Park

The gardens are set within 8 acres of land and include ponds and lakes and are surrounded by plants, trees and flowers.  Visit the tropical house to see exotic plants and visit the museum to read about local history.  Facilities include a restaurant and gift shop.

Address: Bennetts Water Gardens, Putton Lane, Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4AF

Website: Bennett's Water Gardens

Situated right next to the Sealife Adventure Park is an exciting and unique themed 18 hole adventure golf course with galleons, treasure chests and gunpowder barrells.

Address: Pirate Adventure Mini Golf, Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX

Website: SEALIFE Weymouth

The museum is one of the only museums outside China exclusively dedicated to the amazing Terracotta Warriors.  The displays have been created to give an insight into China 2200 years ago.

Address: Terracotta Warriors Museum, High East Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1JU

Website: Terracotta Warriors Museum

The Museum combines life sized reconstructions of dinosaurs with fossils and dinosaur skeletons to create an exciting hands on experience.

Address: Dinosaur Museum, Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1EW

Website: Dinosaur Museum

A unique exhibition displaying exact facsimiles of some of the Royal Mummies and the amazing stories that surround them.

Address: Mummies Exhibition, Armarna Centre, Alington Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UW

Website: Mummies Exhibition

This is a community farm in Portland and home to lots of animals including sheep, wallabies, goats, horses and pigs plus they have a large soft play room and a café selling hot and cold drinks.
Free entry but donations are greatly received.

Address: Fancy's Family Farm, New Ground, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EN

Website: Fancy's Family Farm

There’s always something fun to do at the award-winning West Bay Discovery Centre.  Staff love seeing their visitors playing: they can shelter boats from a storm, build a cliff and identify West Bay’s fishing catch or the local wildlife and feel in the hidey-hole” for creatures from the sea.

The hands-on interactive activities are designed to provide a shared learning experience for families and are popular with all ages.  This free visitor centre is perfect for families, especially on rainy days.

Address: West Bay Discovery Centre, Chapel on the Beach, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4HY

Website: West Bay Discovery Centre

Situated in beautiful woodland on the outskirts of Charmouth, The Tunnel Tree Tops is a high ropes obstacle course, built for the whole family.  The high ropes course comprises of 11 rope and wooden elements including 3 zip wires, all designed to test your nerve and increase your adrenaline levels.

Requirements for The Tunnel Tree Tops high ropes course:  6+ Years, Minimum height 1.2 Meters, Under 18 stone/115kg.

Address: The Tunnel Tree Tops, Westover Hill, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6BY

Website: The Tunnel Tree Tops

The museum tells the harrowing story of the Martyrs arrest, trial and punishment leading to modern day unionism. 

Good to know: Free admission and free parking.

Address: Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, Tolpuddle, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7EH

Website: Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum