Find the Best of Dorset attractions
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
01305 871387
abbotsburygardens.co.uk
One of Britain’s best-known & best-loved gardens. A botanical treasure-trove, with charming walled garden walks and spectacular woodland valley views.
Open daily 10am – 5pm (last admissions between 3-4pm)
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 30th October 2022, 10am – 5pm (last admissions between 3-4pm)
Athelhampton House & Gardens
01305 848363
athelhampton.co.uk
Visit one of the finest manor houses in England, dating from the 15th Century. Coach House restaurant serving morning coffee, lunches and cream teas.
Spring Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm, Sunday to Friday. Closed on Tuesday 14th June. Last admissions to the house at 4pm daily.
Please check the website for up-to-date opening times.
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.
City Cruises Poole
02077 400 400
citycruisespoole.com
We offer a range of trips including Harbour Cruises, Swanage and Poole Day trips, Sea Train Adventure, Dining Cruises, Birdwatching & Fireworks Cruises, Christmas Festive & Party Cruises and we are available for Private Hire for Birthdays, Wedding Receptions, Corporate Parties and much more!
For cruise dates and times, see the website.
Poole Quay: BH15 1BQ
Swanage Pier: BH19 2AW
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!
Open every day from 10am – 4pm.
Dorset Museum
01305 262735
dorsetmuseum.org
A place to connect with 25 million years of Dorset’s history. Discover the richness of our county’s natural historical and cultural heritage through our world-class collections.
Open Monday – Saturday, 9am – 4:30pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays open 10am – 4pm.
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
01202 824040
dorset-heavy-horse-centre.co.uk
As featured on BBC TV, this Award Winning Park entertains every age with a separate timetable for Adults & Children. Heavy Horse Carriage / Tractor / Pony ride and ‘Drive’ a real tractor!!
2nd April – 30th October 2022, 7 days a week during school holidays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays during term time.
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.
GO APE Moors Valley
0845 519 2797
goape.co.uk/Moors-Valley
Live life adventurously at GO APE Moors Valley! With five adventures available, there’s an adventurous experience for all thrill and skill levels.
Open all year around, but opening times vary. Please check website for details or call 0845 519 2797.
Great Dorset Steam Fair
01258 860361
gdsf.co.uk
The Great Dorset Steam Fair is recognised as the World’s leading and largest heritage event, showcasing Great Britain’s rich industrial, agricultural and leisure history.
25th – 29th August 2022.
Lulworth Castle & Park
01929 400352
lulworth.com
Welcome to the most beautiful castle in the south, set in the heart of the privately owned Lulworth Estate. This magnificent C17th building is steeped in history.
The Castle and Park is open Sunday to Thursday, 10:30am – 5pm. Please check the website before visiting. Castle closed 2nd & 6th June, 6th July and 18th August. Castle, ground and walks closed 22nd July to 6th August inclusive.
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
Easter: Rockreef open 9th – 24th April, 10am to 7pm (last booking 5pm). PierZip open 9th – 24th April, 11am – 5pm. Zip will stay open until 7pm for walk-ins if demand is there.
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.
Sherborne Castle
01935 813182
sherbornecastle.com
Explore Sherborne Castle’s 18th Century Capability Brown gardens and landscape
Gardens open 10am – 5pm (last admission 4pm) and 10am – 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm) in October. Castle open April 15th until end of September, various dates. Please see website.
Shire Hall
01305 261849
shirehalldorset.org
You cannot pigeon-hole the experience of visiting Shire Hall – forget everything you think you know about museums!
Open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm. Last entry to the museum is 3pm.
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.
Swanage Railway
01929 425800
swanagerailway.co.uk
The Swanage Railway is the picture postcard branch line to the seaside. Steam trains run for six miles weaving their way through the beautiful Purbeck countryside.
Trains operate daily. See the website for timetable and operating calendar.
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.
The Teddy Bear Museum
01305 266040
teddybearmuseum.co.uk
An unmissable and enchanting experience for the young and young at heart.
Open 7 days a week, 10am – 4pm.
Tutankhamun Exhibition
01305 269571
tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk
Experience the magnificence and wonder of the world’s greatest discovery of ancient treasure – Tutankhamun’s tomb, treasures and mummy.
Open 7 days a week, 10am – 4pm.
Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park
sealifeweymouth.com
Come and join us for a fantastic SEA LIFE adventure both above and below the ocean! Discover a magical underwater world filled with a dazzling array of amazing creatures.
Open 7 days a week. Opening times vary. Please check website before visiting.