West Dorset recommendations

[Happymorningmum]

We're heading to Dorset in mid-Aug with our two little ones (aged 2 and 5) and will be staying in an Airbnb in Lyme Regis for 5 nights. I'm sooo looking forward to it!

We'll try to spend as much time as possible in Lyme and on the beach, but I'd love to have a few other options up our sleeves. Things like big play areas, farms, adventure parks, or other fun days out with kids. I haven’t found much in West Dorset so far, and we’d prefer to avoid Weymouth if possible, as I imagine it’ll be packed at that time of year.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations! As this is our first trip to Dorset, any general tips or hidden gems would be very welcome too :) We’ll be driving from the East of England and are bracing ourselves for the traffic... Thank you so much in advance!

DS is 11 now but we’ve been down each year to see relatives since he was 3ish.

West bay has a good playground right by the car park, rocks to climb on and a lovely Italian.

Corfe castle is good to explore, and there’s usually activities on over the summer as well.

Ferry across to swanage and go to the beach and amusements

Tank museum at Bovington. Far more interesting than it sounds. Loads of interactive things to do, good size playground, picnic area inside and free returns within the year.

In Devon but only 20 mins drive is Pecorama. It’s got Soft play, playgrounds, miniature railway, model railway, walks and cafe. DS used to love it.

Anning Road Playing Field has a really big play area and the aquarium is quite good.
Axe Valley Wildlife Park isn’t very big but has some interesting animals, play areas and animal encounters.
The George in Charmouth is very family friendly. The beer garden is large and there’s a decent play area.

Weymouth won't be any busier than Lyme or West Bay, and the beach is second to none for soft sand and a gentle entrance to the water.

The Tank Museum is fab, and it's right next door to Monkey World, which also has a massive adventure playground on site.

Corfe Castle, Monkey World are over an hour from Lyme on a good day.

Weymouth is great, plenty to do and a lovely beach, don’t dismiss it.

i took my two to Bicton park some years ago and we had a great day out

the donkey sanctuary at Sidmouth is doable

The whole hog in Lyme has delicious doughnuts and baps.
crealy is not too far
https://www.crealy.co.uk/events/summer-holidays/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22800380813&gbraid=0AAAAADc4TAo-MgX6sLcmVWTk8A3GGB-_l&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qHEBhCDARIsALYKFNNzVmK3rhFzRspQjs2l-nORTwW0mbwyIWlWZD05JrnPL0F3aX4ESLoaAnVmEALw_wcB
donkey sanctuary in Sidmouth.

Thank you so much for the amazing list! Pecorma looks really fun, didn't spot this at all (probably because I kept googling Dorset?!) I will defo take our kids there :) Hope you have a lovely holiday with your relatives as well!

Thank you so much! Anning Road Playing Field - we are staying nearby but didn't realise how big it is, I thought it was one of those tiny parks. I'm sure we will be spending a lot of time there. I didn't not come across Axe Valley Wildlife Park, another great suggestion! (I thought I was good at researching haha). Thanks for pub recommendation, will look into it too! We don't have a lot of pubs around here with play area, so that will be really handy.

Thank you so much! As other poster also said, probably I should give Weymouth a chance, I'm just dreading the traffic as everyone says it's a nightmare. I will check out the the Tank Museum and Monkey World!

Thank you! Yes, I think Weymouth is back on our list now... just dreading the traffic as we have no idea what it's like there! Bicton park - what a beautiful botanic garden, thank you for the recommedantion!

I live in West Dorset and have a 4 year old
Feel free to message me 😊 here are my top recommendations...
Tank museum
Farmer Palmer's (amazing for ages of your children)
Corfe castle - visit the model village for lunch and maybe ride on the steam train from norden into corfe castle. This is cheaper than the full line trip and still exciting for littles
A day on the beach at Swanage with a trip to the play park just above it (next to Santa fe amusements)
Sea life in Weymouth
Kingston lacy - amazing play areas and walks along with the beautiful house
The beach at West Bay is nice but not as nice as Lyme Regis
The discovery centre at kimmeridge is worth a visit to see the 'sea monster' then head to kimmeridge and hunt for fossils.. they're alllll over. My little boy loved that.
There are quite parts in Weymouth that are fantastic for families (have a Google)
Swanage overall is amazing for young families and lyme Regis

You'll have a lovely time i'm sure

Oh how could I forget monkey world?! We live practically next door to it 🤣 great day out for kids your age!!

Thank you soo much! Stupidly I wasn't paying attention to Devon side and kept googling Dorset! Great recommendations and my kids would love Crealy theme park (not sure about my husband haha). Donkey sanctuary looks lovely as well, thank you!