From its fossil-filled coast to some lovely countryside, in addition to a string of household sights, there’s lots to tempt you to Dorset – but when the climate isn’t as engaging because the surroundings, you could find loads of issues to do in Dorset within the rain with youngsters too.
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Whether or not you’re visiting in the summertime holidays (as anybody who’s explored the UK is aware of, there’s no assure of fine climate in July and August!) or escaping the crowds by exploring exterior peak season, there’s tons to find throughout the nation.
From quirky museums to animal sights, energetic enjoyable or a historic web site, right here’s my choose of the very best household days out for a wet day in Dorset with youngsters.
Contents – click on to leap to a bit
Sea Life Centre, Weymouth
Escape the rain to find creatures who’re fully at dwelling within the water. Weymouth’s Sea Life Centre is dwelling to sharks, rays and crafty octopus, alongside creatures native to Dorset within the Harbourside Zone – plus the UK’s solely colony of fairy penguins.
In addition to an enormous number of marine creatures, there’s an outside rockpool and also you’ll discover short-term actions throughout faculty holidays, such because the Halloween ‘a-scarium’ spooky path, plus an journey playground and mini golf to find.
It’s essential to prebook tickets on-line for Sea Life Weymouth.
The Oceanarium, Bournemouth
On the different finish of the county, you’ll be able to uncover penguins and sea turtles, together with dwarf crocodiles and otters (plus big numbers of fish, after all) on the 12 themed environments of The Oceanarium in Bournemouth.
There’s an Journey Quiz Path to finish, whereas youngsters can measure themselves towards a penguin (in addition to watching them waddle).
Preserve an eye fixed out on the day’s actions for talks and feeding instances, with an opportunity to see otters, penguins and sharks getting fed. Plus there are particular animal experiences so as to add some VIP enjoyable to your go to.
Take a look at my Bournemouth Oceanarium evaluate after our personal go to throughout a really wet day in Bournemouth with youngsters
Lyme Regis aquarium
A lot smaller than Dorset’s different two sealife centres, the Lyme Regis marine aquarium remains to be price holding on the record in the event you want wet day concepts – throughout our journey to Lyme Regis, the waves have been crashing excessive over the ocean wall at one level so heading indoors was undoubtedly tempting.
The aquarium solely consists of some rooms, so don’t plan to spend all day, however there are nonetheless a number of enjoyable choices to entertain youthful youngsters. Within the first room, you’ll be able to feed gray mullet, a swirling mass of silver our bodies which converge on each flake thrown in – my daughter’s delighted look was well worth the small additional price.
On the opposite aspect sit the primary of the tanks, with extra within the second room exhibiting the marine lifetime of Lyme Bay and the native space: we noticed crabs, lobster, vibrant wrasse, watched blennies peek out of the rocks and you’ll generally maintain a starfish too.
Within the ultimate room, there are movies to observe, together with one of many dreadful 2014 storms which battered the coast: the waves deluging the Cobb again then put our occasional breakers into perspective!
Etches Assortment, Kimmeridge
Well-known for its Jurassic coast, Dorset is a incredible place to seek out fossils, from the ammonite pavement at Lyme Regis to the fossil-packed seashores round Charmouth and Kimmeridge Bay… but when it’s lashing down with rain, attempting to find historic indicators of life outside is a bit much less enjoyable.
As a substitute head to the Etches Assortment in Kimmeridge – the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life is filled with fossils and takes guests on a journey again in time to the Kimmeridgian Seas, 157 million years in the past.
Discover sea monsters and prehistoric predators, in addition to natural world courting again to the instances when the Jurassic Coast was a shallow tropical sea. There’s CGI imagery to convey creatures to life as you see the fossils, in addition to household occasions and actions on through the faculty holidays.
Hengistbury Head Customer Centre
The right place to go to to find extra concerning the space’s wildlife and geology, the Hengistbury Head Customer Centre is filled with interactive shows and makes an awesome start line in the event you’re planning to go to Dorset’s nature reserves or go fossil searching when the solar does come out once more.
The exhibition right here takes you again 65 million years, in addition to 12,000 years of human occupation, together with the time when Hengistbury Head was one among Britain’s most vital Iron Age ports. There are common short-term exhibitions too, so there’s at all times one thing new to find.
For those who’re solely braving the drizzle, hop on the little land practice for some nice views of Christchurch harbour (the land practice doesn’t run throughout winter months however is an effective possibility for a wet day in Dorset in summer time).
Portland Citadel
Portland Citadel is probably not the oldest fortress in Dorset, however it’s nonetheless a venerable 470-something years outdated – constructed by Henry VIII to guard towards French and Spanish invasion.
And with lots to find indoors, it’s a great possibility for a time out in Dorset within the rain with youngsters – they will gown up, discover a Tudor kitchen and uncover its personal wartime historical past, from the Civil Struggle to the Second World Struggle.
If the rain lets up, head as much as the gun platform for some nice views as properly. Tickets don’t need to be prebooked however it’s suggested at peak instances.
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster
This lovely English nation home has a much more dramatic historical past than the elegant façade may recommend – remodelled to appear to be a Venetian palace, its former proprietor was additionally a famend Egyptologist so you’ll be able to see the most important personal assortment of historic Egyptian artefacts at Kingston Lacy too.
The artwork gallery is dwelling to paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel, resulting in it being known as the South West’s ‘nationwide gallery’.
If the rain lets up, the massive property can also be dwelling to Iron Age hill forts, the world’s oldest pedigree herd of Ruby Purple Devon cattle, and gardens so spectacular that Queen Victoria despatched her gardeners right here to get inspiration. There’s a woodland path and walks galore too.
Restricted numbers are allowed in the home, so you could e book timed tickets whenever you arrive.
Highcliffe Citadel, Christchurch
Constructed within the 1830s, Highcliffe Citadel has performed host to royalty over time – however with youngsters’ actions and a few spectacular rooms to find, it’s additionally an awesome place to go to with household in Dorset within the rain.
Attempt some dressing up or different actions, together with make your personal stained glass window, plus there are common seasonal occasions through the yr.
As ever, in the event you’re solely braving a little bit of drizzle, you can too take a look at the formal gardens and woodlands within the grounds, plus a seashore and nature reserve. Prebooking isn’t important however is suggested at busy instances.
Lulworth Citadel and Park
One other of Dorset’s stately houses, the 17th century constructing was initially supposed as a searching lodge to entertain royalty and the aristocracy earlier than changing into a household dwelling – and now you can discover inside Lulworth fortress, which was restored after a hearth in 1929.
There’s a youngsters path to seek out bats as you discover, plus you can too climb the tower and there are generally household actions through the holidays. If the rain isn’t too heavy, there are woodland walks – and the youngsters’s playground is tempting sufficient even within the drizzle.
The fortress isn’t open on daily basis, so do examine earlier than you go to and prebooking tickets is advisable. Entrance is free to English Heritage members.and there could also be tickets accessible on the day.
Athelhampton Home and Gardens, Dorchester
This Tudor manor home dates again 500 years – good in case your youngsters love being transported again to the previous, plus there are household occasions on some weekends.
The Nice Corridor at Athelhampton Home was inbuilt 1485 and nonetheless has its (primarily authentic) hammerbeam roof, amongst different Tudor options, which have survived down the centuries.
For older youngsters, there’s an opportunity to find how the Catholic household survived the non secular conflicts of the later Tudor reigns, whereas there’s additionally an opportunity to see what life would have been like for servants in addition to the rich homeowners.
For those who fancy a number of spine-chilling tales, it’s often known as one of the haunted homes in England, with ghosts together with a gray woman, a hooded priest and an ape!
Swanage Railway
For those who’re trying to discover Dorset with out getting too moist, this beautiful heritage steam railway chuffs by way of the countryside alongside the outdated Southern Railway line between Swanage and Norden, stopping on the ruins of Corfe Citadel – so you can too use it as a extra uncommon approach to get from A to B as properly if the climate brightens up.
Look out for the companies marked with an ‘O’ when the particular Commentary Automobile can also be working, with its big home windows for the very best views, in addition to particular themed companies on the Swanage Railway year-round.
Bovington Tank Museum
With 9 totally different galleries, the museum tells the story of tanks – and different armoured automobiles – from the First World Struggle onwards, however with lots to maintain even youthful youngsters entertained, together with interactive actions and the prospect to go for a trip in one of many museum’s automobiles.
In addition to greater than 300 on show, you’ll discover exhibitions to inform the tales of the folks behind their invention and who’ve pushed them all through historical past on the Tank Museum.
Bournemouth Aviation Museum
In case your youngsters love all issues transport, Dorset can also be dwelling to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum the place you’ll be able to sit contained in the cockpit of quite a lot of planes and helicopters, in addition to getting arms on with a number of the interactive shows, to not point out a flight simulator.
As an added bonus, it’s close to the airport for some added aircraft recognizing! It’s price realizing that the plane are all outside, so the museum does often shut in very unhealthy climate, notably if there are excessive winds – greatest for a drizzly day when you’ll be able to sprint from one aircraft to a different.
For extra concepts of the very best issues to do in Bournemouth with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
The Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester
Though you’ll be able to’t see the actual artefacts recovered from Tutankhamun’s tomb (these at the moment are on show in Egypt, besides for infrequent loans to exhibitions), you’ll be able to see these incredible recreations on the Tutankhamun Exhibition.
The little museum additionally homes a recreation of the pharaoh’s tomb on the day that Howard Carter entered it, again in 1922, so you’ll be able to relive the joys of his discovery.
Whereas the exhibition isn’t massive, it’s an effective way to study extra concerning the discovery of the tomb: higher for older youngsters although, as there’s not an awesome deal that’s interactive.
It’s price realizing too that no pictures are allowed inside (the picture beneath of a reproduction of Tutankhamun’s golden masks is simply to whet your urge for food!)
The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester
Set not removed from the Jurassic Coast, the place Mary Anning famously discovered her ichthyosaur fossil, the Dinosaur Museum is the proper place to study extra about these prehistoric creatures – together with the prospect to the touch fossil shows (together with tooth, heads and poo!) and even odor the breath of a T-Rex.
There are additionally numerous interactive shows too, with puzzles, digital flashcards and an excavation pit to make your personal discoveries.
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, Lyme Regis
You’re not in need of locations with hyperlinks to fossils and dinosaurs in Dorset however the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum has the bonus of a hyperlink to Mary Anning, the inspiration for the rhyme ‘she sells seashells on the seashore’ and the lady who found the icthyosaur.
Set inside Mary Anning’s outdated church, the museum has its personal large assortment, with hundreds of reveals starting from tiny microfossils to a part of an ichthyosaur, discovered within the native space.
And together with fossils galore, crystals, dinosaurs and the pure historical past room, there’s additionally a intelligent Time Line working up the steps, an effective way to get a way of the immensity of geological time (and humanity’s tiny place inside it).
Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester
Dorchester appears to concentrate on quirky museums – in addition to historic Egyptian artefacts and dinosaurs, you’ll be able to uncover a household of people-sized bears, plus a group of teddies from antiques to present TV favourites (from Winnie the Pooh and Paddington to Sooty) on the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum.
They’re all organized in a Victorian constructing, arrange as a home – so you’ll be able to uncover Edward Bear and his household going about every day bear life with their very own assortment of teddies. There are at the moment restricted opening hours, so you’ll be able to solely go to at weekends and through faculty holidays.
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester
The Dorset County Museum in Dorchester tells the story of 250 million years of Dorset’s previous, spanning the pure world, archaeology, historical past, artwork, and tradition, with loads of fascinating exhibitions.
The museum is extraordinarily family-friendly, with interactive shows, enjoyable household trails, and object-handling trolleys. The museum’s John White Studying Centre additionally has loads of messy craft actions for little ones to get pleasure from.
Preserve an eye fixed out for household occasions happening on the museum too, with particular excursions, storytelling classes, and extra happening all year long.
Shire Corridor Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester
Get a style of crime, punishment and justice on the Shire Corridor Museum in Dorchester, which goals to convey two centuries of regulation (and injustice) in Dorset to life.
There’s lots that’s appropriate for households as properly – you’ll be able to discover the cells, and uncover what it could have been like in the event you have been held prisoner right here, together with tales from kids in addition to adults tried on the Shire Corridor.
There’s a path with tokens to gather, whereas youngsters may also get arms on with dressing up (together with wigs and robes), digital interactives, quizzes and video games, in addition to pretending to be a journalist at one of many trials.
There are common household actions and different occasions through the yr too, particularly at school holidays.
The Preserve Army Museum, Dorchester
Positioned inside a Nineteenth-century stone tower designed to resemble a Norman Citadel, The Preserve Army Museum is dwelling to 4 tales detailing the historical past of native navy regiments.
Younger historical past buffs will benefit from the many desirable reveals that includes uniforms, medals, navy gear, and extra. There are additionally loads of interactive digital shows, enjoyable actions (together with the prospect to fireside a rifle), household trails, and life-sized fashions to maintain the museum partaking for youths of all ages.
And if the rain does cease for a couple of minutes, don’t neglect to go out onto the museum’s rooftop terrace for some incredible views over Dorchester.
Mr Mulligan’s Bournemouth
This loopy golf course is really out of this world – and because the intergalactic course (suppose house invaders somewhat than sci-fi) at Mr Mulligan’s is all indoors, it’s an awesome possibility for wet days in Dorset.
Enable round an hour for the 18-hole course (relying on the variety of gamers) which sees you attempt to putt previous aliens and spaceships. Over-18s solely after 8.45pm however in any other case households are welcome to tackle the problem.
Oasis Enjoyable Indoor Centre, Bournemouth
Oasis Enjoyable Bournemouth is the final word rainy-day vacation spot in Dorset with youngsters of all ages.
The massive indoor play centre has greater than sufficient to do to maintain kids and teenagers occupied for hours, together with a spacious delicate play space for little ones, 6 bowling alleys, an journey golf course, arcade video games, pool tables, and a restaurant.
The number of actions makes Oasis Enjoyable an awesome spot when you’ve got kids with totally different pursuits too, as everybody can discover one thing to entertain them through the day, and with among the finest delicate play areas in Dorset, it’s a should with toddlers.
Seals Cove, Bridport
There’s one other nice possibility in the event you’re searching for household enjoyable at Dorset’s leisure centres – Seals Cove indoor journey centre is filled with wet day actions.
With has every part from the Reef Mushy Play to the Jurassic Ridge Climbing Centre, it’s designed to encourage and empower youngsters, with loads of alternatives to problem themselves and get their hearts racing.
In addition to the climbing wall, which welcomes novices (age 5+) trying to have a go, the three-level Reef Mushy Play has tunnels, slides and interactive zones over 550 sq. metres…. in addition to a 4m drop ‘Large Wave’ loss of life slide! Mushy play is for youths underneath 1.4m solely.
Madness Gaming Arcade, Poole
Madness Arcade is a household pleasant retro gaming arcade in Poole, with over 60 basic arcade video games and gaming consoles for all youngsters and adults of all ages to get pleasure from.
You’ll discover every part from Guitar Hero and Road Fighter to Mario Karts, Sonic the Hedgehog, and extra, so you’ll be able to share a few of your favorite childhood video games together with your little ones.
Relatively than utilizing the usual token system, the arcade fees a per-hour entry price which will get you limitless free use of the entire video games and machines. There’s additionally an on-site bar and grill to seize lunch when you’re finished gaming, making Madness the proper rainy-day exercise in Dorset for households.
Attempt an Escape Room
An escape room is at all times a incredible indoor household exercise for when it’s pouring exterior, particularly with older youngsters and teenagers. You may take a look at your loved ones’s teamwork expertise as you race to seek out clues, remedy puzzles, and try to flee the room earlier than the time runs out.
There are some nice escape rooms in Dorset, together with Marvo Mysteries and the Lockey in Bournemouth, The Nice Large Escape in Dorchester, and Participant Prepared VR escape rooms in Weymouth.
Centre VR Bournemouth
Centre VR Bournemouth is the most important VR Centre within the UK and has one of many largest picks of video games and titles in all of Europe.
The indoor centre has an enormous number of multiplayer VR experiences that the entire household can get pleasure from, from capturing zombies or defending Mars from assault to enjoying a digital sport of loopy golf or laser tag collectively.
Whereas there is no such thing as a strict age restrict, the centre means that VR is barely appropriate for youngsters above 7 years, whereas some video games are greatest for these 12+.
Splashdown, Poole
For those who’re searching for one thing enjoyable to do on a wet day in Dorset with youngsters, why not make getting drenched enjoyable with a go to to Splashdown waterpark in Poole.
Nice whether or not you’re visiting Dorset with toddlers or older youngsters, there’s the Ricky’s Reef for youthful ones, Buccaneers’ SplashZone for underneath 8s and 13 flumes starting from mild to high-speed thrills, and slides that includes black holes.
Some do enterprise outside however you’ll principally be inside. There’s a minimal peak restriction of 1m. Youngsters can’t go on the slides with dad and mom. Tickets have to be prebooked.
Rock Reef, Bournemouth
Deliberate to spend the day at Bournemouth Seaside however received caught out by the rain? Head to the tip of Bournemouth Pier and search for Rock Reef, an thrilling indoor exercise centre for youths that’s splendid for adventurous youngsters.
Greatest-known for its zip-wire to the seashore (save that for a sunny day), the adrenaline-fuelled journey centre additionally has 28 themed indoor climbing partitions with totally different levels of problem for youths 4 and above (and adults too, after all).
There’s additionally a vertical drop slide, a excessive ropes aerial impediment course, and an indoor caving expertise to strive.
Flip Out Poole
Flip Out Poole is Dorset’s largest indoor journey park, with loads of all-weather enjoyable for households.
Positioned contained in the Dolphin Procuring Centre in Poole, the thrilling journey park consists of actions comparable to interactive soccer, laser tag, bumper automobiles, a battle cannon space, a curler skating rink, arcade video games, and a delicate play space for toddlers.
You may e book a 2 or 3 hour expertise which will get you limitless entry to the entire park’s actions. The park is open to youngsters of all ages, however some actions do have a peak or age restrict, so ensure that to examine prematurely.
In contrast to quite a lot of different Flip Out areas, it’s price realizing there are not any trampolines at Flip Out Poole.
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Bournemouth Oceanarium/Swanage railway copyright MummyTravels, Preserve Army Museum courtesy Picfair, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos