Following our recent stay in Dorset, I've complied a list of our top places to visit; especially with young children (mine are 13yr and 3yr)
Durdle Door
Arugble the most iconic and well known landmark in Dorset. but what they don't tell you is the long coastle walk to get there! there isn't a carpark near by and its not at all wheelchair or pushchair friendly (unless you're happy with bumpy uneven ground!) No toilets, cafe, lifeguard provision or facilities. But that aside, its a stunning view and beautiful waters.
We parked at Lulworth Cove and walked the 1.5 miles to Durdle Door and back again. Sadly, again another but, (I'm just being honest!) to get to the beach, you need to go down some steps, steep ones at that. The beach it self is pebbly and on an angle so not really for a day out enjoying the beach but a pit stop after your mammoth walk to get there, yes!
Depending on your point of view, and when you visit, you'll see some anchored up cruise ships. we saw three big named ships (can be seen in the picture top right). I found it really sad; mainly because these beautiful vessels costing millions of pounds are being wasted. but anyway, its a sign of the current times.
Corfe Castle
A beautiful little town with a huge castle on a hill! You have to pay entry to visit but there are lots of little activities for kids to do along the way.
This is a National Trust site - click here for further information provided by them.
Studland Bay
Corfe Castle happens to be very close to Knoll Beach at Studland Bay (we made a day of it at the beach and spent the last hour of the day visiting the castle)
Out of the 4 beaches we visited this is by far the best beach. has plenty of parking, cafe, toilets, life guards, watersports available and a little shop.
Again this is a National Trust site - Click here for more information. But there is NO entry fee, just parking fee.
Top tip - on a busy day (ie during school holidays, nice weather etc) you'll need to arrive by 9:30am - the beach gets seriously busy! we made the mistake of arriving just after 10am and had to walk a good mile along the beach to find any kind of space to sit!
The only picture I took of this beach is of me wearing my new shorts I'd made!
Brownsea Island
We took a little boat ride from Pool Quay (25 ish minutes) to the island. You even pass Sandbanks and see some of the big posh houses!
Whilst on the island we took a lovely walk around the woods to their big woodland adventure play park. They provide a Childs map that includes a numbered walk for the kids to find and some rubbing to explore with. My youngest really enjoyed this and made the walk more bearable!
Boats leave the island every 30 minutes after 12noon to go back to the mainland. Don't forget to get the last boat back or you'll be wild camping over night as there are no houses or over night facilities!
This is another National Trust sites - click here for further information. You'll think I'm a promoter of the National Trust!
Lulworth Cove
I won't lie, we didn't stay on this beach for long. It smelt revolting! it wasn't very busy, you can guess why!
Beautiful scenery and little ice cream stalls along the walk to reach the beach.
Kimmeridge Bay
Beautiful spot and not well promoted. There are some large rocks from the beach going out to sea that you can walk on and that are perfect for rock pooling.
There is only one road leading to the carpark for Kimmeridge bay so there is no avoiding the lady at the side of the road charging you to park your vehicle (£6 for a car, more for larger vehicles)
There is a small walk from the car park down some steps onto the pebbly beach. I would say this is another pushchair and wheelchair unfriendly beach. No life guards or facilities either.
Top tip: take swimming shoes or shoes with lots of grip. Don't forget your bucket and fishing net to explore with. Perhaps a wet suit too if you plan to go swimming.
Weymouth
Has some really pretty beach huts (not for sale or rent sadly!) but a lovely walk can be had along the sea front.
Whilst here we visited the Sealife Centre. A nice place to visit but not worth the entry fee for a family of four! (£84!!) - see top tip.
Animals shouldn't be made to perform and sadly the penguins didn't want to play the day we visited so we didn't really get to see them but plenty of other sea life to explore; including sharks.
One feature I was very impressed with - FREE suncream was available around the park! on the walls in what looks like a soap dispenser. Now why doesn't all attractions offer this?!
Top tip: It's not worth paying full advertised price. Try and find some discount codes and book in advance, or use Tesco voucher like we did, cut the cost a lot.
- Take kids swimming gear, there is a splash park with fountains etc plus a separate slide in the middle of a small pool.
Upton Country Park, Poole
This is a little gem. Beautiful grounds and woodland play area - a seriously huge play area at that!
Great place to go for a picnic and walk around the estate. Plenty of parking (small fee), cafe and toilets on site.
More information can be found here.
Swanage
We only visited here later on a Sunday so I don't feel we got to see its full potential but we did have some yummy fish and chips there next to the harbour.
The places we had on our list to potentially visit and we didn't get around to:
Splashdown waterpark, Poole (rainy day option)
Lemur Landings, Indoor soft play (rainy day option)
Poole Shopping centre (we tried visiting but no where to park!)
Visit Bournmouth
See Old Harrys Rocks
The Dinosaur Museum
Adventure Wonderland (small theme park)
Overall we enjoyed our trip away to Dorset. We were very lucky with the weather especially for school summer holidays!
Boring bit: Please note, I am not a journalist, these are just from our experiences. I have not been paid to promote or discuss the places mentioned. I gain nothing from providing this information. No text or pictures can be copied, shared or used without prior consent and full credit to be given to Sam Stitches.
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