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Off the main A35
on the B3157 between Weymouth & Bridport.01305 871858. - DT3 4JG www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk On the World Heritage Coast Discount Voucher Accepted -
£2 per adult to a maximum of 4 |
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Opposite Bournemouth Airport.01202 483 444. - BH23 6BA www.adventurewonderland.co.uk Whatever the Weather Dorset's number one family theme park. A full day's fun whatever the weather, combining
the outside park and rides with the indoor adventure |
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5 miles east of Dorchester off A35(T) at Puddletown
Northbrook Junction.01305 848363 - DT2 7LG www.athelhampton.co.uk Visit one of the finest manor houses in England dating
from the 15th Century. Explore the glorious Grade 1 gardens, containing the world famous
topiary |
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Bennetts
Water GardensTel: 01305 785150 - DT3 4AF www.waterlily.co.uk Renowned for its replica Monet Japanese Bridge and National & International
Collections of Water Lilies, this eight acre water garden is set in natural surroundings
with native trees, willows and wild flowers. Tropical Plant House, Heritage Museum,
Childrens Fun Trails, Gift Shop, Plant Nursery & Licensed Lakeside Café. -
Group visits Season tickets - Civil Weddings. |
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Signposted off the A351 south of Wareham.Furzebrook, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5AR. 01929 551408. www.bluepooluk.com Come and celebrate our 75th anniversary year. Enjoy the peace and tranquility around the Pool. Learn about its early History in the Museum. Enjoy the delicious lunches and homemade scones in the Teahouse overlooking the Pool. Browse around our unique Giftshop. Families can explore the woodland walks and take part in the Squirrel Hunt. Dogs on leads welcome. Open: Grounds open 9.30 from March 1st - Nov 30th. Teahouse Shop & Museum 10am daily from 28th March - 31st October. Closing times vary. Discount Voucher Accepted - 2
Adults for the price of 1 Admission |
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164 Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset.
BH13 7ES.01202 700 778. www.comptonacres.co.uk Compton
Acres is one of the finest privately owned gardens in the UK with a unique series of
stunning gardens, including Japanese, Italian and Rock and Water Gardens. There is also a
café, restaurant, the newly refurbished Harbour view café, gift shop, craft shop and
model railway. Open 363 days of the year. Please print off vouchers at bottom of
listings. |
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Icen Way, Dorchester. - DT1
1EW01305 269 880 www.thedinosaurmuseum.com The
award winning Dinosaur Museum is a treat, especially for Please print off vouchers at bottom of
listings. |
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High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1XA.01305 262 735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org Award-winning
Museum of Dorset including Jurassic Coast Geology Gallery, atmospheric
Victorian Hall with Roman Mosaic floors and Thomas Hardys Study. Dorchester Discover
the 6,000 year history of Dorchester. Investigate Dorset writers, archaeology (including
Maiden Castle presentation), Social and Natural History Galleries. Interactives, activityy
stations, audiovisuals, free audioguides and Museum Trails for children. This friendly
museum has something for everyone. Please print off vouchers at bottom of
listings. |
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4 miles from Poole in Organford near Poole. Clearly
signposted from the A35 and A351.
BH16 6EU01202 622022 www.falmerpalmers.co.uk The Countrysides own National Award
Winning Theme Park!! Perfect for the under 8s |
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4 miles south east of Chard, 7
miles west of Crewkerne. TA24 0LU01460 221 290. www.fordeabbey.co.uk South West Tourism Small Attraction of
the Year 2007/8 Gold Award |
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Go Ape! Moors Valley, Moors Valley Country Park,
Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood. BH24 2ET. 0845 643 9236 www.goape.co.uk Bring
Out Your Inner Ape! |
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Highcliffe Castle,
Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset. BH23 4LETel: 01425 278807 www.highcliffecastle.co.uk Grade 1 listed. Built in the 1830s for Lord Stuart De Rothesay, Highcliffe Castle is situated in beautiful cliff-top grounds, with access to the Christchurch coastal path. A perfect venue for exhibitions, events & concerts. Behind the scenes guided tours on Tues & Sun @ 2pm. Booking advisable. Adults £2.75. Accompanied Children U16 Free l Gift Shop l Tea Rooms l Guided Tours l Civil Ceremonies & Receptions. Open: 1st Feb - 23rd Dec. Sun - Thur 11am - 5pm (last admission 4.30pm) Fri & Sat 11am - 4.30pm (last admission 4pm). Grounds open all year from 7am. Discount Voucher Accepted - 2 for 1 - One free adult with another full paying adult. Valid on standard admission. Not applicable with any other offer. Valid Feb 10 - Dec 10. Please print off vouchers at bottom of listings.
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Radipole Park Drive,
Weymouth, DT4 7TZ01305 778 313 www.rspb.org.uk
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Kingston Maurward is
signposted from the roundabout at the Eastern end of the Dorchester bypass. DT2 8PY01305 215003. www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens Explore the formal Edwardian Garden with a stunning ornamental lake in front of the 18th Century Mansion House. The Animal Park has a collection of miniature Shetland ponies, donkeys, rabbits and Guinea pigs. Light refreshments are available, Play area, Shop and plant sales. Special events throughout the year. For further details contact Kingston Maurward 01305 215003. Open: Daily 4th Jan to 22st Dec 2010, 10am to 5.30pm. Kingston Maurward is signposted from the roundabout at the eastern end of the Dorchester By Pass. |
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5 miles west of Wareham. Follow brown signs from
A352 - BH20 5QS0845 450 1054. www.lulworth.com Walk in the
footsteps of Kings and Queens!.... |
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Pirate Adventure Mini Golf
- Weymouth DT4 7SXTel: 01305 781797 AHOY SHIPMATES! Bring your motley crew along to Pirate Adventure Mini Golf! Challenge yourselves on the amazing 19 hole course, whilst learning about the life and death of some of the scariest pirates around! Fun for the whole family! Open: Summer Daily from 10am; Winter Weekends from 10am. Discount Voucher Accepted - Discount: £1 off a fully priced adult ticket Not applicable with any other offer or voucher. Valid until 30/03/2010. Please print off vouchers at bottom of listings. |
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Portland, Dorset DT5 1AZ.01305 820 539 www.english-heritage.org.uk/portland Overlookign Portland harbour, just 4 miles
from Weymouth stands one of Henry VIII's finest coastal forts and a "must" visit
whatever the weather. Let the fascinating audio tour take you through 450 years of
history, enjoy the dramatic sea views as you explore the garden then relax in our tea
room. Discount Voucher Accepted
- Two for one on admission with a full paying visitor. Not applicable with any
other offer. |
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DT11
8RH01258 482 248. www.royalsignalsmuseum.com
Report for action! Drive a simulator - Guide a laser beam - Direction
- Find the enemy - Set up a satellite network - Practice Morse - Break Codes |
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Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR.01935 813 182. www.sherbornecastle.com Sherborne Castle with its beautiful lakeside gardens and grounds. Come and visit the famous castle built by Sir Walter Raleigh 1594, stately home to the
Digby family since 1617; |
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Swanage Railway Co. Ltd, Station House, Swanage,
Dorset BH19 1HB.01929 425 800. www.swanagerailway.co.uk Travel on Dorsets award winning steam railway and make the most of the Jurassic Coast. Make the most of the Jurassic Coast by taking a trip on the Swanage Railway - the most
convenient way to visit Corfe Castle and the seaside. Avoid the hassle of parking by
travelling from Norden Park & Ride off the A351. |
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Bovington, Wool, Dorset. BH20 6JG01929 405096 www.tankmuseum.co.uk The Tank Museum brings the story of tank crew
to life, supported by the world's best collection of tanks and boasting action packed live
displays during school holidays. You'll see almost 200 vehicles in six large halls,
explore the trenches of World War One and get closer to the action with our explosive Tank
Action Displays. |
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High West Street, Dorchester. DT1 1UW01305 269 571. www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk The World Renowned Tutankhamun Exhibition. The worlds greatest discovery of ancient treasure - Tutankhamuns tomb,
treasures and mummy are superbly recreated in this internationally renowned exhibition -
extensively featured on TV. The only exhibition of its kind in Europe. Not to be missed. Please print off vouchers at bottom of listings. |
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Lodmoor Country Park,
Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX.01305 788 255. Bookings 01305 761 070. www.sealifeeurope.com A
unique mix of indoor and outdoor attractions, prepare to come face to face with sharks,
otters, seals, penguins, turtles and so much more. NEW FOR 2010: Shark
Breeding Centre - Experience an up close and personal look into the lifecycle of these
fascinating and mysterious creatures! Other key features include: Adventure Island - a
fantasy land of thrilling rides; Splash Lagoon - a great outdoor feature complete with
water slide, splash pool, and water jets; Turtle Sanctuary and ocean tank complete with
spectacular walk through underwater tunnel. Discount Voucher Accepted
- £5 off adult entry |
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Things To Do In DorsetDorset Events Calendar 2010 March March 13th-14th - Railway at Work Weekend. Your chance to see behind the scenes of a working steam railway. Meet staff and volunteers and learn how we run the railway. This incorporates the Swanage Railway Trusts annual members weekend. Sun 28 March. 10 am-12pm Springtime spectacles. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Join us, and help us to find signs of spring out on the reserve. Look out for courting birds, blooming flowers, fluttering butterflies and much much more. As the world bursts into life, so will we! FREE BINOCULAR HIRE AVAILABLE Booking essential. April Good Friday 2 April - Easter Monday 5 April. Great Dinosaur Egg Hunt. The Dinosaur Museum, Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EW. Explore Britains original award winning Dinosaur Museum, in Dorchester, with its exciting mix of actual fossils, skeletons, and life-size dinosaur reconstructions combined with hands on and multi-media displays to discover the answers to the clues in the Dinosaur Mystery. All children who solve the Mystery correctly win a special prize dinosaur! April 2nd to 5th Easter Egg Hunt. Adventure Wonderland. April 2nd-5th - Easter Specials. Free hot cross bun for every passenger traveling on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Complimentary hand-made Swanage Railway Easter Egg for every child travelling on Easter Sunday and Monday. Go wild with the kids this Easter. RSPB Radipole Lake and Arne. Keep the kids busy this Easter, bring them along to Radipole Lake or Arne anytime during the school holidays and let them run wild! Bird bingo and wildlife explorer backpacks will be available for hire throughout Easter. April 2nd to April 5th Easter Bunny Egg Hunt. Bennetts Water Gardens. Visit Bennetts Water Gardens on Good Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Easter Monday for the Easter Bunny Egg Hunt. There will be a special Easter trail for children to follow around the gardens; find the clues to complete the trail and get rewarded with a chocolate egg (but remember only one per child). Children can also take part in the Easter colouring competition for a chance to win a Giant Easter Egg! Mon 5th April. 10am - 3 pm. Easter Wildlife Fun Day RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Join our Easter treasure hunt and have a wild time out on the reserve. There will be prizes for all who enter and plenty of fun to be had too!. FREE EVENT. Wed 14th April. 10 am-3 pm. Bird Bingo. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Come and take out one of our bird bingo sheets and go out around the reserve to see if you can get a full house. Lots of other activities to enjoy. FREE EVENT. May Sunday 2nd May. 5 am-8 am. Up before the lark. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Join us on International dawn chorus day for an introduction to bird song and afterwards for a continental breakfast, whilst we chat about what we heard. Adults £6, children £3, includes breakfast. RSPB members half price. Sunday 2nd May. NCCPG Plant Sale. Athelhampton House. May 7th-9th - Swanage Railway Beer Festival & Diesel Gala. Diesel action all weekend and a great beer festival at Harmans Cross. Mid May to June End. BABY SWANS HATCHING. Abbotsbury Swannery. Saturday 15 May. Museums at Night. Dorchester comes alive on Saturday evening as all 6 of its amazing Museums open for this special event: Dinosaur Museum, Dorset County Museum, Tutankhamun Exhibition, Keep Military Museum, Teddy Bear Museum, & Terracotta Warriors Museum. Fantastic value family explorer ticket available. May 17th-23rd - Victorian Swanage - A Trip Through Time. A week celebrating the Victorian heritage of Swanage and the wider region. Special railway events will highlight the 125th Anniversary of the arrival of the railway from Wareham to Swanage. Tuesday 18th May. Dukes Classic Car Auction (viewing days on Sunday 16th and Monday 17th). Athelhampton House. Saturday 15th May 8pm - 11.30pm. National Moth Night. Come along to celebrate national moth night at RSPB Radipole Lake. Well be using a variety of different methods to attract as many moth species as possible. Youll be amazed at what we catch! Booking essential. Saturday 29 May - Bank Holiday Monday 31 May. Tutankhamun Treasure Hunt. The Tutankhamun Exhibition, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1UW. The discovery of Tutankhamuns tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922 has been described as the worlds greatest discovery of ancient treasure. Now children visiting the internationally renowned Tutankhamun Exhibition can go on their own Treasure Hunt over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. They will explore this fascinating exhibition with its recreation of Tutankhamuns tomb, treasures and mummy and solve the riddle of the missing treasure.9.30am to 5.30pm Wildlife Explorer Week. 31st May - 6th June. RSPB Radipole Lake and Arne. Keep the kids busy this week, bring them along to Radipole Lake or Arne anytime during half term and let them run wild! Bird bingo and wildlife explorer backpacks will be available for hire all week. June June 2nd Meet Peppa Pig. Adventure Wonderland. Thursday 3rd Jun. Wildflower Walk. 10.30 am-12.30 pm. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Explore the many and varied wonderful flowers that can be found at Radipole Lake and learn about their names and folklore. Part of Dorset Wildflower Week. Booking essential. Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th Jun. Springwatch weekend. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Join us for our celebration of spring, with a full programme of events including a bird ringing demo, pond dipping, bug hunting, wildlife walks and moth trapping. FREE BINOCULAR HIRE AVAILABLE. Sunday 13th - Thursday 17th June. Flower Festival. Athelhampton House. June 26th Meet Sportacus from Lazy Town. Adventure Wonderland. July July 28th Meet Dora the Explorer. Adventure Wonderland. July 31st - 7th August - Swanage Regatta & Carnival. The top Carnival on the South Coast. Norden Park & Ride will be open until midnight for the duration of Carnival week with additional trains scheduled for fireworks evenings. August Tues 3rd Aug. 10am - 1pm. Mini beasts and dragons. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. We will be looking for bugs in the bushes and pond dipping for weird and wonderful creatures living in the lake. If you cant make it, pop along in the afternoon to see what we find, we will have them on display in tanks and pots for you to see up close. FREE EVENT. Sunday 8th August. MG Owners Club. Athelhampton House. Tues 17th Aug. Nature Detectives. 10 am-1 pm. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Become a wildlife explorer and help us dissect owl pellets to track down what they have been eating, or make a cast of a footprint to find out who it belongs to. August 18th Meet Humungousaur from Ben 10. Adventure Wonderland. Friday 27th August from 6pm. Pride and Prejudice (Open Air Theatre). Athelhampton House. Saturday 28 August - Bank Holiday Monday 30t August. Great Dinosaur Hunt. The Dinosaur Museum, Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EW. 9.30am to 5.30pm Explore Britains original award winning Dinosaur Museum, in Dorchester, with its exciting mix of actual fossils, skeletons, and life-size dinosaur reconstructions combined with hands on and multi-media displays to discover the answers to the clues in the Dinosaur Mystery. 28, 29, 30th Aug. Falconry Flying Displays (30 minute shows). 11.15am, 1pm & 3pm. Abbotsbury Swannery. Monday 30th August. 5 Churches Fete - (Bank Holiday). Athelhampton House. September September 10th-12th - Grand Steam Gala & Vintage Transport Rally. All our engines will be in steam over the weekend with special workings. Alongside the railway is a vintage transport rally at Harmans Cross. Sat 18th & Sun 19th Sept. Kingfisher quest weekend. 10 am-3 pm. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. September is a great month to see kingfishers at Radipole Lake, we will have spotters located at different areas around the reserve to point out any kingfishers on show. All visitors will receive a fabulous kingfisher print to take home with them. FREE BINOCULAR HIRE AVAILABLE. September 19th. 11:00 to 16:00. Wedding Fair & Bridal Show. Bennetts Water Gardens. A wedding exhibition will be held in a marquee within these beautiful gardens which are licensed for civil ceremonies. Wedding specialists will be on-hand throughout the day to offer advice on all aspects of your special day. Fashion Shows will be on at 12noon and 2pm, along with vehicle displays and competitions. September 19th Meet Postman Pat. Adventure Wonderland. October October 1st to Oct 29th Autumn Plant Sale. Bennetts Water Gardens. During the month of October, Bennetts Water Gardens will be holding their annual plant sale, pick up a bargain from the plant nursery. A range of plants which will be featured in the sale starting from as little as £1. Plants in the sale will include aquatic marginals and water lilies, perennials, shrubs, trees and much more, many of which can be seen growing in the Water Gardens next door. Sun 3rd Oct. Autumnwatch, bird ringing and migration. 8am, 9am and 10am. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. Would you like a closer look at birds, come out on one of three walks to see our bird ringing team in action and find out more about the importance of ringing and autumn migration. FREE BINOCULAR HIRE AVAILABLE Booking essential. Sun 17 Oct. The beauty of bearded tits. 10 am-12 noon. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. How many people do you know have seen a bearded tit? One of the most beautiful birds in Britain and a real rarity too. Its fantastic that these birds have chosen to live in the middle of Weymouth at our reserves, join us in search of these beauties. FREE BINOCULAR HIRE AVAILABLE Booking essential. October 23rd-31st - Half-Term Fun Week at Swanage Railway. A week of fun on around the railway. October 23rd to 31st Halloween. Adventure Wonderland. October 24th to Oct 30th. Spooky Half Term Fun. Bennetts Water Gardens. Visit Bennetts Water Gardens this half-term holiday for some Spooky Fun. There will be a special Halloween trail for children to follow around the gardens; find the clues to complete the trail and get rewarded with a spooky prize (but remember only one per child). Children can also take part in the Halloween colouring competition October 26th Meet Scooby Doo. Adventure Wonderland. November Sun 14th Nov. Heron roost watch. 3pm - 5pm. RSPB Radipole Lake Nature Reserve. We will be looking out for grey herons, little egrets and the rare and elusive bittern from the north hide. If we are really lucky we may even see an otter! FREE BINOCULAR HIRE AVAILABLE Booking essential. November 27th/28th Christmas at Adventure Wonderland, including Father Christmas. December December 4th/5th Christmas at Adventure Wonderland, including Father Christmas. December 11th to 24th Christmas at Adventure Wonderland, including Father Christmas. Sun 12th Dec. Wind down for Christmas. 10 am - 12 noon. RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve. All that Christmas shopping getting you down? Join us for a wonderful wind down walk, warm up afterwards with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. FREE BINOCULAR HIRE AVAILABLE . December 26th-January 2nd - Mince Pie Specials. Enjoy an after-Christmas train ride with a mince pie and sherry from the on-train buffet. |
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