Dorset must see’s & do’s please

[Nanana1]

Hello,

We are in Dorset (near Weymouth) for a week and would love to hear some recommendations of what to do, see and eat please. TIA

Do a day rider on the open top bus to Portland. Stop first off at Portland Castle, which I think is underrated. It was built for Henry VIII and I always think is very atmospheric. The little beach next to it is lovely for a dip and a picnic. Then ride the bus up to Portland Bill and climb to the top (there is a ladder involved so you need a bit of a head for heights). Hop back off the bus in Chiswell and watch the sunset with a drink in the Cove House Inn.

If you want to get a Chinese takeaway I can recommend Ocean Hay!

Loads and loads of fairground rides on Weymouth beach at the moment if that’s your thing.

If either of them are into horses or farm type stuff we had a cracking day out at the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm (and amazing value too) but we have a toddler so different age group. About an hour away from Weymouth.

Might be a trek from Weymouth but Pecorama I think is an absolute hiddden gem - playgrounds, loads of open space, a little train ride - also Lyme Regis is a beautiful seaside town.

Kinmeridge Bay
Lulworth Cove

That's very specific, @SpeculatingRooks . But as it happens, so can I...
Honestly, if weather allows, Weymouth beach is pure heaven for kids that age and they'll probably just want to go there all the time.
Tank museum/Monkey world etc for chillier days. The drive from Weymouth to Bridport/West Bay is stunningly beautiful, you can stop off in Abbotsbury and look at the Swannery on the way, or there's the Egg Cup tea rooms which has a brilliant little petting zoo with soft play.

Lots of lovely suggestions that I would have made anyway but I must say we found the spyway footprints really underwhelming!
There’s a great pub you can walk to though and take in the footprints on the way so you’re not making a special trip, the square and compass. Lovely views over the sea, pies and pints, chickens roaming in the garden, jelly snakes for the kids…
The steam train is also a nice trip into Corfe, it’s a lovely part of the world down there though, lots to see and do. My kids used to really enjoy monkey world and the tank museum.

Lulworth cove
Kimmeridge bay
Church Ope cove on Portland - pirate gravestones on the walk down - very famous 5!

Seaton tramway/ railway.

Abbotsbury, the Swannery is a good visit with children. The village has the Abbey remains and craft shops. Nearby are the tropical gardens (you can buy a joint ticket for the Abbey gardens.

Northe Fort in Weymouth itself.

Lyme Regis isn't far, you can book fossil walks (tide dependant).The museum has a good children's trail and activities (look on their website, we took 9 and 11 year olds at Easter they loved polishing amonites)

The Shire Hall museum(cells and courtroom) in Dorchester is good for older children especially if interested in history ( audio tours describe the trial and sentence of a prisoner, you choose which one to follow. ) There are free craft activities for younger children on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the holidays.
You could also see whats going on in Brewery Square activities programme

If you go to Hardy's cottage you could pair it with a walk in the woods. There's also a nice walk from the cottage to Kingstom Maurward. .

Agree with most recommendations, but echo a previous poster who said Moors Valley is too far, and I would add the Verwood Heavy Horse Centre too. Although you could do them on your way home if your homeward journey takes you east. In Dorchester, at Top o' Town there is a Roman Villa which is free to view and quite interesting if you are already in Dorchester.
If you want to go to Tyneham, only go at the weekend because the military ranges are closed during the week. There is a nice beach about 15 minutes from the car park. It is a shingle beach but in a bay and should be quieter than Lulworth.

I went to brownsea island as a kid and am travelling down with my kids to go.

I will just add after reading the whole thread, some of these suggestions are great fun, but are miles away from Weymouth and in the summer will be a PITA to drive to. I would honestly say that unless you're really desperate to do loads of day trips, there really is plenty to see and do in Weymouth and Portland.
Lyme Regis for example can easily be 1.5 hours each way, and is hell to park (actually, I personally really dislike LR, but maybe IBU because everyone seems to love it!) I've found hundreds of fantastic fossils on Portland without the crowds.

Splashdown in Poole
Corfe Castle.
Old Harry Rocks
Lulworth Cove
Monkey World
Chesil Beach
Studland Beach but not in the middle of the day, its heaving - go to the far end Shell Beach at sunset and take a bbq.
There's a steam train between Swanage and Corfe
Brownsea Island

Nothe Fort is really good if you get a rainy day- it's mostly underground.

You can book watersports days at Andrew Simpson or windsurfing at OTC although they cost quite a bit.

There’s a sculpture quarry on Portland that’s worth a wander

on the spit across to Portland there is a good beach where you can rent a SUP and have a nice meal at Billy Winters cafe

if you like Indian food, have a dosa at White Pepper restaurant - delicious!

other good restaurants are Crab House Cafe, Seaside Boarding House, Rise (in west bay) and Hive Beach Cafe.

Def reccomend the sculpture quarry, Portland. And studland beach but the beach on the other side of the road. It's much quieter. Nothe forte is good, they put on lots of activities for kids. Abbotsbury subtropical gardens are lovely and lots to keep the kids interested. Love Weymouth! Have fun!

Like WanderingW my 2 have always loved Splashdown.

Sculpture by the Lakes
07720 637808

g.co/kgs/9wEYHbs

Tyneham ...then walk from there 20 mins to Worbarrow Bay for a swim

The fireworks at Weymouth Beach are still on for next two Monday evenings at 9.30pm. Well worth going to, great atmosphere.

DEF Tyneham but look at the MOD map so you don't get shot at... 😉
Also Moreton Church. Lawrence Of Arabia is buried in the nearby cemetery. The church is beautiful and the windows are stunning. The stained glass windows were blown out in WW2 and replaced with etched glass... Really worth a visit.

Bowleaze Cove, great beach and has an amusement thing depending on age of children. If you go to Weymouth Harbour avoid the far end. It's, erm, rowdy.

It does get rowdy down the far end. When we go to see the fireworks, we park in a side street at the Greenhill end and walk down to the beach there. It's the shingle end, but still a great atmosphere with families paddling, swimming and picnicking. No rowdy behaviour.

Also recommend a lovely Italian restaurant on the seafront - Olivetos. We've been several times and the food has always been delicious.

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If you get a rainy day then it's still worth getting the bus to Portland. There's a little museum there. It's a short walk from there to Church Ope Cove and the Hayloft Café.

The coast path is spectacularly high with amazing views along the coast.

Also, the Olympic Rings are a good place to stop off to take in the stunning view, and get an ice cream.