Dorset family holiday- July

[WednesdayAllTheWay]

Has anyone visited or lives in Dorset and can recommend a good area? We have activities planned so I think Corfe Castle, Wareham or Swanage areas would be good to stay (self catering) in terms of those activities, do you think those would be nice?

All good, I live in Dorset. Also consider Bridport, Lyme Regis, basically anywhere on the Jurassic coast, lots of Airbnbs and campsites but would NOT recommend Poole or anywhere East of there.
Inland you might like Beaminster or Wimborne.

Wareham/Corfe/Wool is a lovely area. Have stayed there many times. If you have a car with you there are some more reasonably priced cottages a few miles inland, and it's easy enough to get around.

I live in Dorset too. How about Weymouth, Kimmeridge or Lulworth. Also agree that Lyme Regis and Bridport are nice. Personally, I don't like Swanage - find it too touristy yet old-fashioned! If you have a son, he might like the Bovington Tank Museum? Wimborne is quaint, also Christchurch to the east is a very pretty town with lovely beaches and Quay. Avoid Bournemouth at all costs!

I grew up in Dorset, I also wouldn't recommend Poole or East of there. Sure, there are great beaches but it's very busy. Wareham would be nice, I prefer Swanage to Weymouth but I'd probably look for. a rural place for self catering. Lyme Regis is lovely, would definitely consider there.

Corfe Castle area is gorgeous too. There's quite a lot to do - Monkey World, the Tank Museum, depending on your children's age Falmer Palmers is a brilliant place to wear them out, there's a swannery (but I forget the name).

Dorchester, Chesil beach, Weymouth has a fabulous beach and lots of things for families.

Eype is idyllic

Ooh thank you, nice ideas. @Thehorticuluralhussieand @Justmadesourkraut do you reckon Weymouth or Swanage is nicer for a beach trip?

We went to Rudge Farm after a recommendation on here and it's amazing. Great location and so beautiful. Not far from Chesil beach.

The Abbotsbury substropical gardens are a brilliant day out. Incredible viewpoint at the top though v steep walk. Loved Lyme but lots of smaller beaches too. Fossil hunting is great.

Absolutely loved Portland and a plod around the lighthouse too, plus the 'castle' is a brilliant museum (and lovely tea shop).

Loved that holiday.

Poole beaches locals use are fab....Branksome Chine Canford Cliffs both amazing Sandba is beach is good with cafes etc ..just walk along a bit to find a quieter section...Shore Road end
Xchurch would be a nice place to stay. Look around d Wareham ..on the river with boat and paddle board hire .Poole Quay ...old town .....another good call,but make sure there is off road parking.
I'm a local

Shell Bay on the Purbeck peninsula is absolutely gorgeous. That would be my beach choice all day long although you’ll need packed lunches etc as there are no cafes there.

West Bay is a lovely, old fashioned bucket and spade holiday place with the bustling town of Bridport a short bus ride or walk away. Bridport has a twice weekly market that's a lot of fun - food stalls and all sorts going on.

weymouth is good for kids lovely sandy beach and right by the town if you need anything. Lots of shops and nice places to eat then there's the area. There's lots to do sandworld ,sealife centre with splash park,Southside Funfair, monkey world ,tank world and abbotsbury tropical gardens. Lots to do and lovely area

Isn't west Bay shingle ? We love Dorset weymouth for the beach. Swanage is my favourite though i know a pp.said it was old fashoioned but i think that is part of the charm. Tank museum and Monkey world for days out and yes avoid Poole.

West bay is shingly, but delightfully old fashioned with gently shelving sea on a couple of the beaches. It's much quieter and less commercialised than Weymouth although the beach, sand and sea at Weymouth are heaven.

Weymouth or Swanage. If the latter, I'd stay in an Air BnB within walking distance of the town and beach. Spent many years holidaying in Weymouth but also really love Swanage.

I spent a lot of my childhood in Charmouth which is very near to all the places you mention OP and right on the doorstep of Lyme Regis. It was lovely but that was a long time ago. It might have changed drastically.

We have stayed in this cottage 4 times. It's near Bridport.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/dorset/st-gabriels-elm-cottage

We found Weymouth a bit manic, mixture of Kiss Me Quick, and the yachting crowd with v expensive bijou eateries. West Bay is small but we had a good time crabbing and playing on the playground.
We also loved the Swannery, we usually spend time at some National Trust places and Lyme Regis is crowded but go just at the end of the afternoon. The beach on the West side has lots of rock pools and you can often find ammonites.

Weymouth if you have kids. Swanage if you’re old like me.

Studland Bay definitely worth a visit. 3 beaches there South. Middle and North/Knoll, all with cafes. Lulworth Cove is also lovely with a nice hill to climb, though I think parking is now going up there.

Yy to Monkeyworld. If you get any wet days Farmer Palmers is good and Weymouth Sealife Centre.

Enjoy

We found Monkeyworld a bit icky. - it was a bit like seeing your nearest and dearest in a cage. Also, DD was in a screaming phase (I think she was 5?) and the baby monkeys hated it so DH took her to Tank World and DS and I looked at the monkeys in peace.

It is a rescue centre firstly, but i get it if you are not keen on zoos,the enclosures are well thought out i thought.

personally it was one of the best zoos i have been to a lot nicer than others and very good for kids

Yes i love it and find it quite peaceful

the best beach trip in Purbeck is probably Studland