Go Ape

Kids Days Out in Dorset

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We always suggest you ring beforehand if visiting with disabled children as all attractions within the place you are visiting may not be accessible, depending on disablement, and whether or not if you have a helper.
Our guide is popular with families and as a school resource for educational trips.
For opening times click through to website or telephone attraction. Some attractions close during the winter.

Place

Doing What

Wheelchair friendly

Go Ape, Moors Valley Country Park
Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood,  BH24 2ET.
Tel: 0870 444 5562

www.goape.co.uk
Spend a fun-filled three hours up in the trees, trekking from tree to tree via an assortment of rope bridges and Tarzan swings. Minimum age 10yrs, minimum height 1.4m (4ft7in). Nearby cafe. Pre-booking advised.

No

Oceanarium, Pier Approach, Bournemouth, Tel 01202 311993
www.oceanarium.co.uk
Meet a vast array of creatures, from piranhas to clownfish. Get even closer to sharks, turtles and stingrays in the underwater tunnel and experience the UK’s first virtual dive cage!

Yes

Dinosaur Museum, Icen Way, Dorchester,  DT1 1EW.
Tel 01305 269880

www.thedinosaurmuseum.com
Britain’s original dinosaurs museum. This award-winning museum combines fossils, skeletons and life-sized dinosaur reconstructions with multimedia and hands on displays, and is a treat especially for children.

Partial access - ground floor only

Putlake Adventure Farm, Langton Matravers, Swanage, 
Tel  01929 422917
www.putlakefarm.co.uk
Adventure Farm set in 30 acres on the Dorset Jurassic Coast,  indoor & outdoor activities including: farm animals, owls, rabbits, ponies. Lamb & kid feeding. Bouncy castles, pedal tractors, trampolines. Cafe. Children's parties.

Yes

 

The Pottery Parlour, 3a West Street, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AW
Tel 01258 455232
www.potteryparlourdorset.co.uk 
Experience the mucky joy of proper pottery at The Pottery Parlour! Pottery wheels, paints, and plenty of clay bring out the creative side in everyone! Parties, Workshops, and group bookings.

No (flight of stairs to studio)

Swanage Railway, Swanage,  BH19 1HB,
Tel 01929 425800
www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Great preserved steam railway runs 6 miles from Swanage to Norden  and  Corfe Castle through Purbeck countryside. Special event including Thomas The Tank Engine Days and adult driving experience days. Shop, Buffet cars.

Yes

 

The Great Big Tree Climbing Co
at locations in Dorset & Wessex 
Tel 0800 0556760
www.thegreatbigtreeclimbing.co.uk
Tree climbing adventures for all ages and abilities across Dorset and Wessex and especially for those who can't wait to be swinging 60ft above the ground! Zip lines, big leaps and more. Individuals, groups, schools

No

Tutankhamun Exhibition, High West Street, Dorchester, 
Tel 01305 269571
www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk 

Spectacular re-creation of Tutankhamun's tomb and treasures. This internationally acclaimed exhibition spans time itself. Extensively featured on television throughout the world. Full school service plus specialist Egyptian shop including books.

Yes - ramps available foe entrance

Teddy Bear Museum and Shop, Easgate, Corner of High East St and Salisbury Street, Dorchester.
Tel 01305 266040
www.teddybearhouse.co.uk
The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester's unmissable family museum, plus Teddy Bear House, a unique family house with people sized bears. Be sure to visit the museum's charming period shop stocking top brands: Steiff, Robin Rive and more. 

To be advised

Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr. Ringwood, BH24 2ET,
Tel 01425 470721

www.moors-valley.co.uk
750-acre country & forest park with Children's Play Areas, lakes, walking & cycle trails. Narrow gauge steam railway. Play & Adventure Trails including Tree Top Trail. Ranger-led activities for school & holiday visits. Picnic area, restaurant, shop.

Yes

SEA LIFE,  Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth,  DT4 7EH
Tel 01305 788255

www.sealifeeurope.com
SEA LIFE - Experience close encounters with a wealth of marine life including seals, otters, penguins and a collection of rare turtles in the only National Turtle Sanctuary in the UK. Educational trips, birthday parties. Cafe.

Yes

All Fired Up Ceramics Cafe, The Square, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH2 6DT,  
Tel 01202 558 030

Website
Children love painting pottery. All Fired Up Ceramics Café offers a wide range of ceramic items that can be hand painted, ranging from plates, mugs, piggy banks and flower pots. First footprints - for all time!  - All Fired Up!

Yes - Call to check

The Clay Studio, 12a Castle Street, Christchurch,   BH23 1DT, 
Tel 01202 475000
www.theclaystudio.co.uk
Pottery painting is great for children: bring out their creative side and encourage and inspire them. Kidz Painting Academy courses in school holidays.
Healthy Kidz Menu. Parties.

Yes 

Chococo, 21c Commercial Road, Swanage, BH19 1DF
Tel 01929 421777

www.chococo.co.uk 
Discover delectable, fresh chocolates handmade on the premises. Watch the team in action through the window into our tiny factory.  Try our small yum, yum cafe with choc dips and more, and gift shop

Yes

Brownsea Island (National Trust), Poole, BH13 7EE
Tel 01202 707744
website
Peaceful island of woodland and small beaches set in Poole Harbour. Great location for walks, wildlife, including red squirrels. Why not take a picnic. Shop & Cafe Yes in places
Corfe Castle (National Trust), The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham
BH20 5EZ
Tel 01929 481294
website 
Majestic ruins of historic castle destroyed in the civil war. Interactive exhibitions and regular programme of events for children during holidays.

Partial disabled access

Zorb South UK Ltd, Pinelodge Farm, Bockhampton, DT2 8QL
Tel 01929 426595
www.zorbsouth.co.uk
Come Zorbing! Choose from Hydro Zorb: a cross between a waterslide & roller coaster (age 6+) or Harness Zorb (height restriction 4ft 10), head over heels down our man-made hill. Guaranteed a great experience!

Partial: call to check

Farmer Palmers Farm Park, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, BH16 6EU
Tel 01202 622022
www.farmerpalmers.co.uk 
Great for children 8 years and under! Hands-on animal events all day, play areas, indoor soft play, tractors, straw mountain, bouncy castles, child-friendly restaurant.  Great fun whatever the weather.

Yes: part concrete and all wide ramps, wide doorways, etc.

Zoukinis, 18 Seamoor Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth, BH4 9AR
Tel 0102 766797

www.zoukinis.com 
Vegetarian/Vegan restaurant and Ceramic studio. Have fun, get creative and paint your own pottery, starting prices from £3.50 + £3.00 studio fee.
Childrens birthday parties & Hen parties catered for.

Yes

Burngate Stone Carving Centre Kingston Road, Langton Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3BE
Tel 01929 439405

www.burngatestonecentre.co.uk 
Traditional stone carving for all the family in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. Children's activities and stone carving sessions in school holidays and weekends.

Suitable for wheelchair access

Hengistbury Head, East of Bournemouth, Dorset. Enjoy a family walk any time of year in this delightful country park ( free ) overlooking the sea. Nature trails, beaches. Land train from Hengistbury Head to Mudeford Sandbank which runs every day of year, except Xmas Day. Cafe at Mudeford Sandbank.

Yes 

Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, BH19 2JL
Tel/fax (01929) 424443

www.durlston.co.uk
See some of the most stunning scenery on the South Coast where families and children can find plenty to do. Summer programme of kids activities, every Thursday afternoon throughout the school holidays. Fabulous summer nature trail

Partial access, disabled buggy available

 

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