High Angle Battery is located on the Isle of Portland and we visited recently to explore the historic site.

Constructed in the 1890’s, the Victorian gun battery was built to help defend Portland Harbour against invasion.  Its main purpose was to fire shells at a high angle onto any attacking ships below.  With the high position and underground buildings, tunnels and concealed gun emplacements it made it almost invisible to enemy warships.

Despite its incredible design, advancements in ship speed meant the site quickly became disused and the battery went out of use after only 10 years, never firing a single shot in combat.

This site is now a Scheduled Monument and in 2022 it was placed on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register.

High Angle Battery is located close to the New Ground and you will find free parking close by plus an information board which is worth reading. You will need to watch young children as there are high walkways on the upper gun level and broken glass in some of the tunnels.  Our children loved exploring and went in and out of the many ‘ghost tunnels’ and rooms.

While you are there, I’d recommend walking over to the Verne Citadel to marvel at the stunning coastal views and pop into Fancy’s Farm to feed the animals.

If you are driving and heading towards the Height Hotel on the New Ground road then keep your eyes on the right and look for a low stone circular wall.  Within this circle you will find some super cool dinosaur footprints which are preserved in slabs of limestone.

You can also go and visit Tout Quarry Sculpture Park where there are estimated to be over 70 sculptures to discover in the abandoned stone quarry.  To read more about Tout Quarry Sculpture Park, please visit the Dorsetmums Blog.

All activities mentioned are free and makes for a great day out if you pack a picnic.

If you are looking to stay on the Isle of Portland for a few days then I can thoroughly recommend The Penn Estate.  If you would like to read about our recent break away from home then please visit the Dorsetmums Blog.

SandWorld is a very unique attraction located in Weymouth’s Lodmoor Country Park.  Inside you’ll find incredible sand sculptures which have been crafted by some of the world’s most talented artists.

This year is extra special as SandWorld celebrates 100 years of Sand Sculpting Heritage in Weymouth.  Fred Darrington, Mark Anderson's grandfather, first began sand sculpting in Weymouth a century ago, and his legacy continues to inspire phenomenal creations today.

We had a brilliant afternoon looking at all of the stunning sand sculptures which included a Ganesha sculpture, prehistoric creatures, mythical beasts, and children’s favourite characters, all brought to life in sand.  Some have also been beautifully painted in areas which gives them a striking appearance.

The Phoenix was one of my favourites and we were lucky enough to catch the artist at work.  We stopped to ask a few questions which she was more than happy to answer and marvelled at her creation.  Each sculpture has a board with information and a little about the artist and you’ll also find an interesting area with boards showing the history of how SandWorld began.

After looking at the many sculptures and trying to find the answers to our quiz sheet the kids were desperate to get in the sandpit to try and make their own masterpiece.  There are daily workshops however the children just wanted to freestyle their creations and using the tools and water provided one made a big tower and the other made a giant doughnut.  If you look up on the walls, you’ll see helpful guides on how to prepare your sand to make it strong and you can even have a go at making a super cool turtle.

For children under 5, they have their own dedicated sandpit with play houses and toys.  You’ll also find an area for children (and adults) to fill a chosen sand bottle with layers of brightly coloured sand.  As I suspected, my son threw his in at a rapid speed and my daughter carefully chose her colours and layered each one slowly in a pattern.  There’s lots of bottles to choose from with funky shapes, ammonites and animals.  Prices vary depending on size.

A Café can also be found within SandWorld offering drinks, treats, chips and paninis, plus there’s a gift shop by the exit too.

SandWorld is traditionally open daily from April until early November and it's a great family friendly attraction which is mostly undercover - ideal for the Great British weather!

During half terms and holidays, there is often a fun quiz for the children to participate in.  For more information, ticket prices, group rates, and upcoming events, please visit Sandworld.

Good to know:

• SandWorld is both wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

• Well behaved dogs on leads are welcomed.

• Children 4 and under are free to enter.

• Filling sand bottles is an optional activity and costs apply.

• There is a large car park located within Lodmoor Country Park and car parking fees do apply.

• There are no toilets within SandWorld however there are public toilets close by in the car park.