
SUMMER HOLIDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
ABBOTSBURY SWANNERY BRAMLEY HEDGE TRAIL
Info: Based on the Summer Story book, the trail includes fun facts, stamp points and an activity booklet. The trail runs alongside the daily mass swan feeds, willow swan maze and pedal go-karts.
Dates: Ongoing
Address: Abbotsbury Swannery, New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JG
Website: Abbotsbury Swannery
THE BLUE POOL WILD WEDNESDAYS
Info: On Wednesdays, children aged 5 - 15 can enjoy hands-on bushcraft activities like bird box making, fire lighting and safety, paracord bracelet crafting and bug hunts.
Dates: Wednesday 6th – Wednesdays 27th August 2025
Address: The Blue Pool, Furzebrook Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AR
Website: The Blue Pool
DURLSTON COUNTRY PARK ACTIVITY TRAILS & MORE
Info: The Marvelous Meadows Trail runs through the first half of the summer holidays and then the Boats of the Bay Trail runs until the end. Plus there’s guided walks, scavenger hunts, nature activities and Wild Wednesdays all planned on selected dates.
Dates: Saturday 19th July – Wednesday 3rd September 2025
Address: Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL
Website: Durlston Country Park
HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE SUMMER WELLBEING CHALLENGE
Info: Explore the grounds of Highcliffe Castle for an outdoor challenge trail promoting positive wellbeing and appreciating you. Indoor crafts will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and there will be a different craft each week to do.
Dates: Sunday 20th July – Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4LE
Website: Highcliffe Castle
MEGA SLIP AND SLIDE
Info: The Slip and Slide is back with an even bigger slide and bigger pool to whoosh into!
Dates: Saturday 19th July – Sunday 31st August 2025
Address: Mill Street, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3RH
Website: Mega Slip and Slide
MONKEY WORLD SUMMER FUN
Info: Throughout the summer holidays, Monkey World will be hosting themed activities and crafts, plus there’s hundreds of monkeys to see, play areas and a woodland walk to explore.
Dates: Tuesday 1st July – Sunday 31st August 2025
Address: Monkey World, Tout Hill, Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HH
Website: Monkey World
RUSSELL-COTES MUSEUM AMAZING ANIMALS & BRILLIANT BOTANICALS
Info: House Trail: Follow the nature themed trail around the house and take part in the garden scavenger hunt. Families can also enjoy some traditional garden games, workshops and more.
Dates: Sunday 19th July – Sunday 31st August 2025
Address: Russell-Cotes Museum, East West Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3AA
Website: Russell-Cotes
SCIENCE ZONE WORKSHOPS
Info: Science Zone will be launching an exciting new programme of STEM-focused workshops for children and families – featuring everything from planetarium shows and LEGO robotics to coding challenges and hands-on science experiments.
Dates: Various Dates
Address: Science Zone, 21 Royal Arcade, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4BT
Website: Science Zone
BROWNSEA ISLAND SUMMER OF PLAY
Info: Embark on a crayon rubbing trail filled with fun activities and games for the whole family. Play like a chicken, leap like a sika deer, and try some bunny yoga. As you explore, you'll uncover fascinating facts about the creatures that call Brownsea home.
Dates: Thursday 24th July – Sunday 31st August 2025
Location: Poole Harbour
Website: National Trust Brownsea Island
CORFE CASTLE SUMMER OF PLAY
Info: Hop into a summer of fun at Corfe Castle and discover a variety of games and activities throughout the ruins. Explore play zones to get legs and minds racing, see if you can hit the bullseye in the Archery Zone, beat the Obstacle Zone or make some noise in the Music Zone.
Dates: Saturday 19th July – Sunday 31st August 2025
Address: Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Website: National Trust Corfe Castle
STUDLAND SUMMER OF PLAY
Info: Have fun exploring the beach and dunes and children can also enjoy free to use sports equipment and games at Shell Bay.
Dates: Mondays during the school summer holidays
Address: Shell Bay, Studland, Dorset
Website: National Trust Studland Bay
SHOWS
MARINE THEATRE
THE LITTLE MERMAID JR
Date: Sunday 20th July 2025
Address: Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QB
Website: Marine Theatre
THE REGENT
HORRIBLE HISTORIES: GORGEOUS GEORGIANS & VILE VICTORIANS
Date: Sunday 10th August 2025
Address: The Regent, 51 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1AS
Website: The Regent
LIGHTHOUSE POOLE
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE
Dates: Friday 29th – 31st August 2025
Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Booking: Lighthouse Poole
BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION
DINO TALES: JURASSIC RESCUE
Date: Friday 8th August 2025
CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW REIMAGINED
Date: Saturday 9th August 2025
THE PRINCESS PROMS
Date: 10th August 2025
Address: Bournemouth Pavilion, Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU
Booking: Bournemouth Pavilion
BRIDPORT ELECTRIC PALACE
RUDE SCIENCE
Date: Tuesday 29th July 2025
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Dates: Wednesday 27th August – Saturday 30th August 2025
Address: Electric Palace, 35 South Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NY
Website: Electric Palace
WEYMOUTH PAVILION
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM PRESENTS DINOSAUR LIVE!
Date: Friday 8th August 2025
CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW REIMAGINED
Date: Sunday 10th August 2025
Address: Weymouth Pavilion, Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8ED
Website: Weymouth Pavilion
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