Rainy day suggestions for Dorset (Isle of Purbeck)

[crackofdoom]

OK, I have been stalking the weather forecast for weeks, and reckon it's just going to be OK to go camping in Dorset in a couple of days for a week. Looks like we're looking at at least 1 or 2 showery days though. So I'm looking for the best rainy day suggestions for the Purbeck area of Dorset please! (Nearest town is Corfe Castle).

DS1 is obsessed with military history at the moment and would love to visit the tank museum at Bovington. But it's a bit pricey, isn't it! Is it good value?

After paying for that, suggestions for some free or cheap wet weather activities would be welcome!

The Purbeck Breezer sounds like an excellent idea....makes things into a bit more of an Excursion. We have an open top bus round the Land's End Peninsula down our way, and it's fun even for locals. I will check out the route.

I really enjoyed the tack museum. Expected to spend a couple of hours, but was there all day.

I've gone down a country park wormhole and discovered a couple closer by: Purbeck, which has cycling trails and abuts Corfe Castle and the steam railway, and Durlston, which has a lovely looking free visitor centre and is on the cliffs, but doesn't allow cycling 🤔 We forget about country parks oftentimes, but they're such gems.

Monkey World at Wool
Corte Castle to Swanage on the steam railway
Studland has a beautiful beach
i love Kimmeridge, Dancing Ledge and that whole stretch of coastline.
If you go to Portland Bill the views across to Chesil beach are spectacular.

Portland castle might also be a good bet for a rainy day. Haven’t been for years, but the dds enjoyed it when they were younger and there was a tiny beach behind it where you could swim.

Thank you for all the suggestions everyone! Just checked the weather again and most days are looking lovely and sunny- it's just a showery Friday and half of Saturday we'll have to be hiding in museums/ under trees!

Friday is definitely pencilled in for a pub meal/ chippy tea, as opposed to cooking over the campfire....

If you are looking at one thing to spend your money on a rainy day, IMO the Tank Museum is the best. Can easily spend hours there. And as it is year long admission potentially do 2 trips if bad weather (it’s naturally split into 2 zones). I think I’ve done the other one mentioned if it’s in Blandford but it is a long way away and not nearly as good as the tank museum.

Monkey World and Dorset Waterpark both good and nearby but it does get expensive.

Are you a member of the National Trust? That covers off lots of parking in the area and Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy (not that nearby but good for rainy day).

Moor Valley is a good call as sheltered and some bits free (but not parking) but only I think if you were coming to/from A31 direction. I wouldn’t drive from Purbecks for it.

I personally don’t get much from Dorchester and fair journey from Kimmeridge.

Long range forecast not too bad so just take clothes for all weathers. If doing dancing ledge (Chapmans Pool also good in that area) then make sure you have a pint & pasty at Square & Compass.

Crabbing at Poole Harbour or Rockley Park is great fun - raw bacon in bucket type net and a clear bucket - done that for hours before with kids!

Kimmeridge is lovely - does different things depending on whether tide is in/out.

Tanks are on holiday, Tyneham it’s a good walk, Kimmeridge is good for snorkelling,

I don't know, as a resident of Cornwall, if I am strictly permitted to eat pasties over the Tamar 🤔 Might have to have a pint and a packet of crisps.