Just booked a week at campsite in Dorset for summer holidays.

[OhMyStarryEyedSurprise]

What outdoors local gems are there in Dorset? We might do a couple of days out somewhere but I'm really asking for must-see or must-do activities in the Dorset area. Any regular Dorset holiday makers or Dorset locals want to share their knowledge or experience?

Campsite is in Swanage, Dorset if anyone knows around there at all? Very rural. Can't wait!

Any recommendations or advice for must-see places very welcome as the furtherst we've ever been down south was London.

Hit me with your Dorset gems please!

Corfe castle and the steam train
Swanage beach is nice
Crabbing on the end of the pier/by the little harbour bit

The Abbotsbury Swannery is very interesting.

Monkey World is great and only about 30 minutes drive from Swanage.

durdle door, corfe castle, chesil beach, Portland bill. Love dorset so much.

Fossil hunting.

Do you have children?
Swanage Steam railway was very popular with my boys when we camped there.
www.swanagerailway.co.uk/

Durston country park in Swanage is great, lovely nature walks and nature centre. Giant concrete globe and cafe. Spent many a happy afternoon there with the children

YANBU

Tank Museum. It’s amazing. Also the Fleet Air Arm museum but it’s a bit further away. Studland beach is beautiful.

Studland bay and Harry's rock

Steam railway

There's a lovely little muse sun on the beach front

Monkey world

Portland bill

Falmer Palmer was fab when we went, albeit several years ago.

Is the steam train to Corfe castle still running?

Kimmeridge Bay for fossil hunting

Square and Compass pub - near Swanage- for cider/apple juice and pasties. Walk down to Dancing Ledge. Kimmeridge Bay nearish the pub. Corfe Castle in same area. Enjoy!

Oh, and Knoll Beach

We took the kids camping years ago - it is one of my favourite holidays

Pick your own blueberry farm
Studland beaches

Agree - plus Abbotsbury Children's farm if you have kids is amazing (you can get a combo ticket)

Tyneham village and walk down to the bay

Ooh yes!

Yes we have three children 7years, 9 years and 14 years!

Yes! Forgot that one.

Walk along top of ridge to Corfe Castle, explore the castle, which sometimes has events on, cream tea, then back to Swanage on the steam train.

Also, Weymouth rib rides. If you’re lucky you may get to see dolphins up close.

weymouthbayribcharters.co.uk

Walk from lulworth Cove to Durdle Door. It’s beautiful there and will help out with future geography lessons! Same as Old Harry’s Rocks.

Corfe Castle is great.

Weymouth is great for a day out by the seaside - has a better (sandy) beach than Swanage. The Nothe Fort is good too. They also have an aquarium (I’ve not been to that so can’t comment).

Dorset is so beautiful, you can just bask in the scenery and enjoy fish and chips and the odd cream tea!

All of the above - had many happy times at all of these places.

Monkey World & Tank Museum within close distance of Wool for a long day oit.
Dorchester has a few small museums worth a browse.

BTW, stop telling everyone about Swanage 😉, it’s a hidden gem.

Another vote for Portland bill - we had a great day down there.

We saw dolphins a few years ago. It was amazing! We’d gone on a boat trip to see the cruise ships (that were all moored in the bay) - and the dolphins were an added bonus.