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 for parents to relax.

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

Facebook: 100 Giggles

The Palmhouse is a fabulous café-bistro and activity centre.  Blooming Kids indoor and outdoor play area is perfect for under 5's and the outdoor decking and play area is ideal for long sunny days. There is also the Kraft Shack which runs a variety of activities including messy play sessions.

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

Facebook: The Palm House
Contact Tel: 01305 458089

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
Contact Tel: 01305 264066

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
Contact Tel: 07793 037937

Please note: Foxdown Farm is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2024

This 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 things to do including tractor trailer rides, play area, giant maze, café and much more.

Abbotsbury Swannery review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: Abbotsbury Swannery
Contact Tel: 01305 871858  

Please note: Abbotsbury Swannery is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2024

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.

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Contact Tel: 01305 971387

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 small café, larger restaurant and gift shop.

Kingston Maurward review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: Kingston Maurward
Contact Tel: 01305 215003

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.

SEALIFE Adventure Park review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: SEALIFE 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
Contact Tel: 01305 7666626

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.

Shire Hall review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: Shire Hall Dorset
Contact Tel: 01305 261849

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
Contact Tel: 01305 761420

Please note: Leisure Ranch is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2024

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
Contact Tel: 01305 771301 

 

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
Contact Tel: 01305 266040  

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.

Sandworld review: Sandworld Blog

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

Website: Sandworld
Contact Tel: 07411 387529

Please note: Sandworld is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2024

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
Contact Tel: 01305 848363

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 refreshment are available.

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

Website: Gone Potty
Contact Tel: 01305 458549

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: The Fun Factory, 7 Albany Road, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9TH

Website: The Fun Factory
Contact Tel: 01305 777334

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
Contact Tel: 01305 834746

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.

Weymouth Player Ready party packages: Dorset Kids Party Directory

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

Website: Weymouth Player Ready
Contact Tel: 01305 595480

Seal's Cove is a fun indoor activity venue which opened in summer 2022.

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
Contact Tel: 01308 805020

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

Website: Vurlands Animal Farm
Contact Tel: 01308 897160

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
Contact Tel: 07903 955300 / 01297 444230

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
Contact Tel: 01305 266040

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
Contact Tel: 01305 269880

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
Contact Tel: 01305 269571

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
Contact Tel: 01305 250710

Please note: Dorset Falconry Park is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2024

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
Contact Tel: 01305 785150

Please note: Bennetts Water Gardens is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2024

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

Please note: Pirate Adventure Mini Golf is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2024

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

Website: Mummies Exhibition
Contact Tel: 01305 269741

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
Contact Tel: 07810 485351

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
Contact Tel: 01308 427288

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
Contact Tel: 07776 508106

The Museum tells the harrowing story of the Martyrs arrest, trial and punishment leading to modern day unionism.
Free admission and free parking.

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

Website: Toppuddle Martyrs Museum
Contact Tel: 01305 848237