Find the Best of Dorset attractions
Abbotsbury Swannery
01305 871858
abbotsburyswannery.co.uk
Home to the only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world. Cygnet hatching mid-May to end of June.
Open daily until 3rd November 2024, 10am – 5pm (last admissions between 3-4pm)
Bennetts Water Gardens
01305 785150
bennettswatergardens.com
Renowned for its replica Monet Bridge and National Plant Collection of Water Lilies flowering through the summer with 8 acres of lakeside walks and garden trails for children.
Open 10am to 4pm daily, closed Saturdays.
The Dinosaur Museum
01305 269880
thedinosaurmuseum.com
The Dinosaur Museum is all about having a roaring good time! It’s not a theme park, there’s not an animatronic in sight! It’s a real museum for the young and not so young.
Open every day from 10am to 4pm.
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
01202 824040
dorset-heavy-horse-centre.co.uk
A multi award-winning FULL day out FOR EVERY GENERATION! This family run farm park offers a unique countryside experience. Enjoy heavy horse carriage rides, tractor rides, shows and demonstrations, hands on farm tours, exhibits from days gone by & adventure play areas! A day out delivered with passion… NOT to be missed!
OPEN 29th March – 2nd November 2024. 10am – 4pm. Closed Monday & Tuesday during Dorset term time. August – closed Mondays. October – open Friday to Sunday only. October half term – open daily.
The Etches Collection
01929 270000
theetchescollection.org
Our Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge is the finest collection of Late Jurassic age fossils in Britain, all collected by just one man, Dr Steve Etches MBE.
Open every day, 10am – 5pm (last admission 4.15pm).
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
01202 622022
farmerpalmers.co.uk
OPEN DAILY – bring your little explorers on an adventure to Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park! Morning and afternoon sessions available. Pre-booking is now essential.
Open 7 days a week. Term time: Mon – Fri – 9:30am – 3pm. Sat & Sun – 9:30am – 4pm. Dorset School Holidays: 9:30am – 5pm.
Forde Abbey and Gardens
01460 221290
fordeabbey.co.uk
The Kennard Family welcomes you to their unique 850 year old house and 30 acres of award-winning gardens.
Gardens open daily throughout the year from 10.30am – 5.00pm until 31st October. House open Tuesday to Friday, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed on Mondays and Saturdays). House open from 12pm, last entry 3.30pm.
Lemur Landings
01202 740500
lemurlandings.co.uk
One of Dorset’s largest soft play centres. Fun play and adventure activities for children up to 11. Climbing zone, role play village, multi-level play frame and cannon blasters. Great birthday party venue. Family friendly café.
Term time weekdays will have one open session running from 10.30am – 6pm. During the weekend and Dorset school holidays our usual three session will be in operation
RockReef & PierZip Bournemouth
01202 983983
rockreef.co.uk
RockReef is an all year, all weather exciting activity attraction located at the end of the iconic Bournemouth Pier. Outside is the awesome PierZip, the first pier to shore zip wire in the world!
Discover & Fun Trails for Toddlers & Children
Open Monday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Royal Signals Museum
01258 482248
royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk
DISCOVER – Spies, Codes and Secret Agents. Code and Code-Breaking! From Semaphore to Satellites and Fire to Fibre optics – EXPERIENCE the interactive History, Science and Technology of communications.
Discovery & Fun Trails for Toddlers & Children
Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4.30pm. Last admission 3pm. Check website before travel as opening times can change at short notice.
Splashdown
01202 716000
splashdownwaterparks.co.uk
Experience some of the UK’s most exciting water flumes at the South’s favourite waterpark. Complete with sun terraces and café.
Open for Easter. Opening hours vary by season. Please visit our website or call us on 01202 716000.
The Tank Museum
01929 405096
tankmuseum.org
The Tank Museum brings history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays. Exploring ten powerful exhibitions, you will come face to face with almost 300 armoured vehicles.
Open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day.
Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre
01929 462537
monkeyworld.org
Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 240 rescued and endangered primates, including Europe’s only orang-utan crèche. Combining fun with conservation and animal education. Free daily talks and Great Ape Play Area, the south’s largest adventure playground!
Combining fun with conservation and animal education
Open Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm
Go Ape Moors Valley
01603 985500
goape.co.uk/Moors-Valley.co.uk
Visitors will find themselves immersed in nature while they bounce, climb, swing or ride through the forest.
Fun for kids and adults
Open all year round.
The Tutankhamun Exhibition
01202 983983
tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk
A spectacular recreation of Tutankhamun’s tomb and treasures. This internationally acclaimed exhibition now in its 38th year spans time itself. It has been extensively featured in television programmes and major documentaries on Tutankhamun throughout the world.
Young explorers can discover the amazing world of ancient Egypt and Tutankhamun
Open 10am – 4pm every day, 5th April to 2nd November. Winter openings – weekends only 10am – 4pm 3rd November to 27th March
The Teddy Bear Museum
01305 266040
teddybearmuseum.co.uk
An unmissable and enchanting experience for the young and young at heart! Charming displays in delightful vintage settings take you to a time gone by.
Step back into a timeless world at Dorset’s Teddy Bear Museum.
Open 11am – 4pm every day 7th April to 21st April, 11am – 4pm every day 1st July to 31st August