Family-friendly sports centre offering swimming, fitness classes, a gym and lots more!
Tel: 01305 858400
Address: Coburg Rd, Dorchester, DT1 2HR
Clay pigeon shooting in the North Dorset countryside, including lessons, courses and events, starting from just 1-hour.
Tel: 07914 918395
Address: Ram’s Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1HD
Outdoor adventure company offering lots of activities, including paddleboarding, coasteering, mobile climbing wall and lots more.
Tel: 07870 659081
Address: Unit 10 Waterfront, Portland Marina, DT5 1DX
Follow this free trail to find a series of geocaches, placed by the local juniors at Bincombe Valley School, which tell some of the area’s history. The trail is available to download online, and more information about geocaching can be found on the website, or through your phone’s app provider.
Tel: 01305 269512
Address: Various around Littlemoor, Weymouth
Blagdon Fruit Farm in Weymouth is a perfect location for pick-your-own!
As well as delicious strawberries and other fruits, they have a lovely tearoom for cream tea and cakes, as well as outdoor seating and lawn games.
Tel: 07557 337679
Address: Coldharbour, Chickerell, Weymouth DT3 4BG
A lovely warm pool, perfect for little ones. Timetabled fountains and family swims too! Also offers exercise classes, gym & spa facilities, as well as an onsite cafe.
Best to book online.
Tel: 01258 455566
Address: Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DB
Offering a wide range of activities, including fitness classes, gym, swimming pool, yoga, children’s activities and lots more. Timetable and prices available online.
Tel: 01308 427464
Address: Brewery Fields, Skilling Hill Rd, DT6 5LN
Offering a wide range of activities along the Jurassic Coast, including rafting, archery, coasteering, climbing, bushcraft and more! Booking and further information online.
Tel: 01929 422480
Address: Cobbler’s Ln, Swanage, BH19 2PX
Explore the Purbeck National Nature Reserve by bike, with views and adventures around Studland Bay, Corfe Castle, Old Harry Rocks and more, it won’t disappoint. There’s also the opportunity for more testing mountain biking routes!
Tel: 01929 481606
Address: Purbeck Park, A351, Wareham, BH20 5DW
This wet & wild amusement park has a water park and mud trail, both suitable for children and adults. There are two beautiful lakes set in woodland with stunning views across the Purbeck countryside, just a stone’s throw from Corfe Castle.
Tel: 01929 505030
Address: Arfleet Mill Lakes, Studland Road, Corfe Castle, BH20 5JG
Beautiful clifftop nature reserve with a visitor centre in a renovated castle. Durlston CP puts on lots of activities, especially during school holidays! Pay & display parking, but free entry to the park.
Tel: 01929 424443
Address: Lighthouse Rd, Swanage, BH19 2JL
This all-weather attraction is perfect for under 8s. There are animals, go-karts, ride on tractors, parks, dinosaurs and softplay, plus much more!
Visits need to be booked, which can be done online.
Tel: 01202 622022
Address: Farmer Palmers, Wareham Rd, Organford, BH16 6EU
Watersport and adventure company in the Purbecks – offering kayak tours, foraging & feasting, bushcraft, children’s adventures and loads more!
Tel: 01929 761515
Address: The Hutquarters, Middle Beach Car Park, Studland, BH19 3AP
Leisure centre providing a fitness suite, sports halls, pitch hire and lots more. Many of the activities operate on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Tel: 01935 814011
Address: Bristol Rd, Sherborne, DT9 4EQ
This unique setting enables you to spend time with animals, including walking alpacas! Camping is also available. Animal interactions need to be pre-booked.
Tel: 07554 675543
Address: Bridevalley Farm, Higher Kingston Russell, DT2 9ED
The Hardy’s Birthplace visitor centre is fully accessible and offers informative displays, a lovely cafe and free entry! You can download trails to explore Thorncombe Wood, including a selection of routes and children’s scavenger hunt.
Tel: 01305 251228
Address: Dorchester, DT2 8QH
Archery, axe throwing and bushcraft in a secluded and rustic woodland setting. Lots of booking options available to suit everyone!
Tel: 07752 302010
Address: Tolpuddle Ball, Dorchester Rd, DT2 7HB
Company offering guided walks and fossil hunting, along with outstanding local knowledge and stunning views! Book onto an existing walk, or enjoy an experience just for your family.
Tel: 07900 257944
Address: Various locations, tbc on booking.
This novel take on crazy golf, is played with footballs! No booking is required, open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm.
Tel: 07564 034567
Address: A3052, Lyme Regis, DT7 3UE
This attraction has a great swimming pool, including slides for children! There’s a restaurant with stunning views and you can have a game of tenpin bowling too.
Swimming needs to be prebooked on weekends and during school holidays.
Tel: 01308 897317
Address: Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, DT6 4PT
This free attraction is brilliant for all ages. There’s some animals, outdoor play area, softplay, cafe and lots of opportunities for exploring the grounds.
Free entry & free parking.
Tel: 01305 215000
Address: Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8PY
Outdoor company offering lots of activities, holiday clubs, short courses and more. Activities include coasteering, paddle boarding, bushcraft and more.
Tel: 01929 423031
Address: Prospect Business Pk, Victoria Ave, Swanage, BH19 1EJ
A brilliant, local, laser tag company offering open play, themed events, parties, team building, mobile hire and loads more! Look out for the themed events each school holiday too.
Tel: 07848 801573
Address: Langton Long, Blandford Forum, DT11 9HT
This absolute haven includes meadows, woodland and harbour views, perfect for some time away from it all! Open all year round, with parking and free entry.
Tel: 01305 264620
Address: Lorton Ln, Weymouth, DT3 5QH
An enthusiastic outdoor activity company, based within the Lulworth Estate, offering a variety of activities, including family-specific adventures. Look out for the extra events put on during school holidays too!
Tel: 01929 400155
Address: Main Rd, West Lulworth, Wareham, BH20 5RQ
Blast through the waves or enjoy a more sedate cruise along the Jurassic coast! Join a trip, or charter your own, for a truly amazing experience. All passengers must be at least 5.
Tel: 07971 258515
Address: The Harbour, West Bay, Bridport, DT6 4HA
Opportunity for complete novices, to pros, to enjoy tall ship sailing around Portland. Trips start from just two hours, so a perfect introduction! Take advantage of their family discount too.
Tel: 01929 289019
Address: Portland Marina, Osprey Quay, DT5 1DX
The stunning countryside across this part of Dorset offers loads of options for walking, cycling and exploring. There’s lots to discover, including open-top bus rides and RSPB parks.
There’s lots of information online for the best walks, parking and all the other bits you might need for a great day out.
Local leisure centre offering swimming, fitness sessions, court & pitch hire, soft play and lots more! Booking is advised.
Tel: 01929 500000
Address: Worgret Rd, Wareham, BH20 4PH
A family-friendly farm with tractor rides, animals, outdoor play areas and a giant indoor softplay. Camping is also available during the summer months. There’s a cafe for refreshments, as well as interactive experiences, like bottle feeding animals.
Recommended for children 0-10 years.
Tel: 01929 422917
Address: High St, Langton Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3EU
RSPB Arne is absolutely stunning with open heathland, ancient woodlands and far-reaching views. There’s a lovely cafe and gift shop, as well as play area onsite. Minimal entrance fees apply for non-members.
Tel: 01929 553360
Address: Arne Rd, Wareham, BH20 5BJ
Big indoor play centre including climbing walls, soft play, coffee bar, cafe & much more!
Tel: 01308 805020
Address: Shoe Ln, Bridport, DT6 3EX
This community-run, outdoor swimming pool, is 25yds, heated and staffed by qualified lifeguards – perfect for family swimming!
Regular ‘Fun Swims’ are timetabled which include floats & toys.
Booking is required.
Tel: 01747 853181
Address: Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, SP7 8DQ
A large indoor softplay centre with free parking and nice cafe. Really popular so booking is advised!
Tel: 01305 777334
Address: 7 Albany Rd, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth DT4 9TH
A small, friendly sailing school, specialising in family-friendly education. Offering RYA courses, dinghy hire and sailing for pleasure. Suitable for ages 8+.
Tel: 01258 880512
Address: Ferry Rd, Studland, BH19 3BA
Offering a variety of sightseeing and fishing trips, from Weymouth harbour. Enjoy the iconic sights along the Jurassic Coast or take a deep-sea trip!
Tel: 07833 492948
Address: Trinity Rd, Weymouth, DT4 8TJ
Angling and sightseeing trips along the lovely Jurassic coast, suitable for all ages & abilities! Prices start from just £10.
Tel: 07932 557376
Address: Pier Approach, Swanage, BH19 2AP
Symondsbury Estate offers lovely walks, waymarked cycle routes, a yummy cafe, brilliant local events and much more.
Tel: 01308 424116
Address: Manor Yard, Mill Ln, Bridport, DT6 6HG
Walk the land, sleep under the stars and enjoy time with lovely ponies. This unique company offers lots of different options, suitable to everyone.
Tel: 07825 877308
Lovely day out for all the family. There are some walks that are very easy to follow, a small park and a yummy cafe.
Entrance fees apply, but you can also buy annual passes.
Tel: 01929 558150
Address: Furzebrook Road, Wareham, BH20 5AR
These fossilised dinosaur footprints at Keates Quarry are well worth a visit for a dinosaur lover! Believed to be made by a brachiosaurus, it was amongst the largest land animals to have ever lived.
National Trust car park – free for members.
Tel: 01929 450002
Address: Durnford Drove, Langton Matravers, Swanage BH19 3HG
This nature reserve is an abandoned stone quarry which has been turned into a sculpture park, with more than 60 scultpures to find! There’s stunning views and it’s a haven for wildlife. A perfect, free, day out for the family.
A trail leaflet can be downloaded from the council’s website.
Tel: 01305 826736
Address: Tradecroft Industrial Estate, Portland, DT5 2LN
High-ropes and zip wire adventure course, through stunning woodland! Advance bookings only.
Requirements for taking part: 6+, 1.2m+ & under 18 stone.
Tel: 07776 508106
Address: Westover Hill, Axminster Rd, Charmouth, DT6 6BY
This 20-acre farm has lots for the whole family to enjoy, with plenty of animals, a play area, maze, picnic areas, pig racing, tearooms and an indoor softplay.
Tel: 01308 897160
Address: Coast Rd, Swyre, Dorchester, DT2 9DB
Wareham Boat Hire offers motor boats, kayaks, canoes, rowing boats and paddle boards, for hire, on the River Frome, in Wareham, as well as a number of boat trips.
No previous experience required, life jackets and buoyancy aids available for all.
Tel: 01929 550688
Address: Wareham Boat Hire, Abbots Quay, Wareham, BH20 4LW
Wareham Forest offers endless opportunity to explore and adventure! There are a number of car parks, for easy access to the forest, including the Sika car park which is perfect for little ones practicing riding their bikes, or a buggy walk. All the parking is free – more information and routes are available on Foresty England’s website.
Tel: 0300 067 4600
Address: Wareham, BH20 4ER
Wareham Walls surround the heart of the town, dating from the 9th century. You can still access a lot of the route, now home to a variety of local wildlife. The walk itself is about 1 mile and signposted, although you can download a trail map from the council website. The walk is pretty level and has benches along the route.
Tel: 01929 557237
Address: Wareham Quay, BH20 4LP
This company offers a selection of coaching courses, star awards and river trips around the West Bay area. The two-hour guided tours are a perfect way to see some stunning parts of Dorset. Booking is required. Suitable for ages 4+.
Tel: 07875 643700
Address: Fisherman’s Green, The Harbour, DT6 4HA
During the summer season your little one can enjoy a donkey ride along Weymouth beach! Rides start from the little hut near to the pavilion, from 11am – 5pm.
Note: Riders must be under 16 and less than 45kg.
Tel: 07968 206745
Address: Weymouth Beach, The Esplanade, DT4 7AN
