FAMILY FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS IN WEST DORSET

Info: There's over 1000 marine creatures to see at SEA LIFE plus the Caribbean Cove play area and a fun splash zone.  

SEA LIFE Adventure Park Review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: SEA LIFE Weymouth

Info: 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.

FREE ENTRY!

Kingston Maurward Review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens

Info: Tabby Terrace is a beautifully furnished café where you can relax and enjoy drinks, light lunches or homemade cakes whilst being surrounded by adorable cats.

Tabby Terrace Review: Dorsetmums Blog

Address: Tabby Terrace Cat Café, Antelope Walk, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BE

Facebook: Tabby Terrace

Info: Multiplex cinema chain showing the latest international blockbusters in 2D and 3D formats.

Address: Cineworld, New Bond Street, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8LY

Website: Cineworld

Info: Cosy 1933 picture house with 4 screens showing mainstream releases including 3D films.

Address: Plaza Cinema, 31-32 Trinity Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1TT

Website: Plaza Cinema

Info: Cinema with 3 screens plus a bar and cafe area which overlooks the Brewery Square fountains.

Address: Odeon, 3 Drayhorse Yard, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1GA

Website: Odeon

Info: Abbotsbury Swannery is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through a large colony of nesting mute swans.  There's lots of other activities to do including kids pedal go karts, a play area, giant maze and a café.

Abbotsbury Swannery Review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: Abbotsbury Swannery

Please note: Abbotsbury Swannery is now closed for winter and will re-open in March 2025.

Info: The amazing subtropical gardens has a wonderful mixture of formal and informal flowers, ponds, stunning view points, a sculpture trail and Burma rope bridge.  Facilities include toilets with a baby change, 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

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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.

FREE ANNUAL PASS INCLUDED IN ENTRY FEE!

Shire Hall Review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: Shire Hall Dorset

Info: There is so much for families to do at the Fort!  You can explore the maze of underground tunnels, visit the Victorian Gun Deck, sit in a WW2 gun high up on the Ramparts, discover the secret underground Nuclear Bunker and enjoy stunning 360 degree views of the Jurassic Coast.

FREE ANNUAL PASS INCLUDED IN ENTRY FEE!

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

Website: Nothe Fort

Info: 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

Please note: Foxdown Farm is now closed for winter and will re-open in spring 2025

Info: Located within Lodmoor Country Park, Leisure Ranch has a Cresta run slide and go kart track.

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

Facebook: Leisure Ranch

Please note: Leisure Ranch is now closed for winter and will re-open in spring 2025.

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

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

Website: Weymouth Skatepark

Info: SandWorld is a unique attraction with huge detailed sand sculptures covering a different theme each year.  There is also a play sand pit, have a go sculpture area, fill a sand bottle area, cafe and gift shop.

Sandworld Review: Dorsetmums Blog

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

Website: SandWorld

Please note: Sandworld is now closed for winter and will re-open in April 2025.

Info: The community farm is 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! (Donations are much appreciated)

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

Facebook: Fancy's Family Farm

Info: Athelhampton is one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses.  The Great Hall, the heart of the House, was built in 1485.  Explore the historic house, breathtaking gardens and restaurant which serves light lunches and cream teas.

Address: Athelhampton House, Athelhampton Road, Puddletown, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LG

Website: Athelhampton

Info: 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.

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

Website: Gone Potty

Info: 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, wallaby's, donkeys, sheep, pigs, goats, alpacas and rheas.  There's also have a fab soft play, outdoor play area, willow maze, pedal go karts and tea room.

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

Website: Vurlands Animal Farm

Info: 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

Info: Hidden away in Bowleaze Cove is a fun park with lots of entertainment for the whole family including rides for younger children, bumper cars, amusement arcade, indoor soft play, seaside food and drink and much more.

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

Website: Fantasy Island Fun Park

Please note: Fantasy Island Fun Park is now closed for winter and will re-open in spring 2025.

Info: Lodmoor Country Park covers 350 acres and features recreation areas, an outdoor gym, play park, a cafe and the Rio Grande Model Railway.  Attractions within the Country Park include SandWorld, SEA LIFE Centre and Pirate Adventure Mini Golf.

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

Website: Weymouth Town Council

Info: The gardens are set within 8 acres of land, featuring ponds and lakes which 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: Bennetts Water Gardens

Please note: Bennetts Water Gardens is now closed for winter and will re-open in spring 2025.

Info: Situated right next to the SEA LIFE 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: SEA LIFE Weymouth

Info: Castletown D-Day Centre is an authentic recreation of the busy wartime dockyard that once occupied its location on the Isle of Portland.  Discover original WW2 artefacts, weapons and wartime vehicles, see a full size replica Spitfire suspended in flight, aim a Bofors 40mm gun, try on military uniforms, handle real decommissioned weapons and climb inside the battle-scarred Sherman tank.

Address: Castletown D-Day Centre, Admiralty Buildings, Castletown, Portland, Dorset DT5 1BD

Website: Castletown D-Day Centre

Please note: Castletown D-Day Centre is now closed for winter and will re-open in February 2025.

Info: The quarry was worked commercially from 1780 to 1982 and limestone remnants leftover from this work have been used to create sculptures across the site.  There are estimated to be over 70 sculptures to discover in the abandoned stone quarry which include a mythical canine called ‘Roy Dog’.

FREE ENTRY!

Tout Quarry Nature Reserve Review: Dorsetmums Blog

Location: Tout Quarries, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2LN

Website: Portland Town Council

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

FREE ENTRY!

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

Website: Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

Info: 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.

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

Website: English Heritage Portland Castle

Info: 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

Info: Sticks & Bones is a family friendly games bar with boardgames, retro arcades, hot food and a licensed bar.

Address: Sticks & Bones, Hope Square, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8TR

Website: Sticks & Bones

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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

Info: 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