A land of contrasts, Dorset can take you back 185 million years, and it can just as easily amaze you with some of the most futuristic architecture in the country. Whichever place in space and time you want to explore, there's no shortage of things to do in Dorset. From the treasured coastal town of Lyme Regis to the Jurassic coastline, from the iconic Durdle Door natural arch, to the impressive Lulworth Castle and estate, and then further on to the stunning nature reserves by the Studland Bay, you'll completely spoilt for things to do in Dorset.
Weymouth Seafood Festival
Set on the sandy banks of the River Wey, Weymouth is a lovely Dorset town with one of the finest beaches in the whole of Europe, a bustling harbour, and a picturesque esplanade. Dotted with caravan parks, holiday parks and spas, the town welcomes you with a wealth of attractions, activities and fun places to visit in Dorset for the whole family. It boasts the
Sandworld Sculpture Park, a gallery showcasing sand sculptures, a Kite Festival, motocross events, a half marathon, and the
Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival in mid-July. Before you partake of the scrumptious morsels on display at the seafood festival, be sure to take in the splendid views atop the
Jurassic Skyline.
The Jurassic Coast: Loved by All, from Coast to Coast
A UNESCO-listed stretch of coastline nearly 100 miles long and teeming with fossils and wildlife,
Jurassic Coast is a treasure trove of breath-taking seascapes, cliffs, secluded coves and vast beaches. Peppered with caravan parks and flanked by the
Jurassic Fun Centre and the Isle of Portland, the shoreline is an inspirational touring destination. A fossil hunter's playground, this vast expanse of limestone deposits makes for a fantastic family outing with many interesting things to do in Dorset. While we're on topic, the
Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is only a 30-minute drive away, bringing you face-to-face with your favourite fossil reptile through interactive displays, puzzles and feely boxes.
Monkey Business at Monkey World
When at
Monkey World in Longthorns, do as the monkeys do and go bananas for the official merchandise featuring the cast of the Monkey Life TV series. A sanctuary sheltering over 250 primates, the largest play area in the south of England, this is the perfect place to monkey around for a day and learn about our distant cousins. It's also only a short walk away from Whitemead Caravan Park.
Swanage Railway Rides
Have yourself a steaming hot holiday in Swanage at the regatta, the
carnival and the heritage steam and
diesel train galas. Drive your camper van east to the
Sandbanks Ferry, sail across Pool Harbour, and then head over to
Swanage Railway if you're a nostalgic looking for places to visit in Dorset. Driving experiences, dining train rides, musical express rides and short weekend trips are yours to have year-round, and you get to see Dorse's most charming attractions en route to Purbeck, including
Corfe Castle.
