What to do in Dorchester?

[5BlackDoors]

We are planning a Dorchester trip for half term. It will be just me and two DCs, both biys aged 10 and 12. The older has autism and mild learning difficulties and is very timid. Not really into active outdoor things although he might just about tolerate a beach trip. The younger is laid back and happy to go along with anything as long as he has plenty of roblox time scheduled. I will have a car and can do short day trips.

I would be enormously grateful for any ideas of things and 'must do's. I know little about Dorchester- I literally shut my eyes and pointed to the map and this is what came up!

Thanks!

The Dinosaur Museum and the Tutankhamen Exhibition in Dorchester
The aquarium and pirate adventure golf at Weymouth
The tank museum in Bovington tankmuseum.org/events/october-half-term

Oh nice! Thank you. :)

Would they like the swannery at Abbotsbury, or would DS1 be nervous?

www.visit-dorset.com/listing/roman-town-house/36154301/
If they are into history, this is free
Monkey World is not far and good fun

Yes I’d say Monkey World too. Weymouth very close but also Bridport. West Bay (Broadchurch) and Lyme Regis not that far.

Crabbing in lyme Regis harbour (you can get the kit cheaply in the beach shops), I love Weymouth beach too - close to Dorchester and has fairground rides. Dorchester has 2 cinemas too which are really cheap - the plaza is the independent one and the odeon is the other.
Monkey world, Corfe Castle near by, the Keep is a good museum in Dorchester too.
Splashdown is about 30 minutes away and it great if they like flumes and swimming - my 10 and 13 yo love it there.

The Dino museum in Dorchester is crap, not worth it at all.
If you're happy to travel a bit, Portland Bill, West Bay, Abbotsbury Swannery, Abbotsbury Sub tropical gardens are good, think there is a farm park there too.

Oh these all sound good! The sub tropical gardens are right up my alley!

I am going to make a list and research the lot with the DCs. DS1 needs loads of preparation and planning so these are brilliant places to start thank you!

(I have always wantedto go to Lyme regis also!).

I really appreciate it.

Charmouth beach is fab - car park, toilets & cafe - & if you walk east along the beach you'll find loads of fossils especially if you take a rock hammer & chip away at the slate.
We found this along there.

Oh that is amazing! So many fossils together!

Maiden Castle? Not at all what it sounds like. An iron age hill fort to beat all others. I am surprised it hasn't been mentioned already. Maybe you cant walk on it nowadays though?

Also, I'm not sure quite how far away it is but the Cerne Abbas giant? Your boys will find it amusing im sure.

The museum in Dorchester reopened about 6 months ago after a big refurb. I like the Roman Town House, too, though you won't need long. And there's Maumbury Rings (Roman amphitheatre) which is good for a run-around, and Maiden Castle - walking round the ramparts might take an hour, and there are great views up there, if it doesn't count as too outdoorsy.

A lot will depend on the weather.

Plaza cinema - super cheap independent cinema, lovely old seats etc.

Dorchester things : Tutankhamen museum
Dino museum
Maiden castle
Brewery square sometimes have events on
Cinema: Use the plaza as it’s a lot cheaper than the chain one!!

Weymouth: Sealife centre
Pirate mini golf
Weymouth tower
Boat trip
Arcade/mini funfair
Beach

Other nearby beach’s and attractions:
West bay is a lovely beach and town
Bridport is a nice town
Lyme Regis lovely beach and town
Monkey world
Bovington museum
Abbotsbury swannary, tropical gardens and mini farm place
Hive beach on burton bradstock is lovely and the Hive restaurant is amazing

Oh these all sound amazing! Thank you! I am very excited. :)