Our favourite Dorset Family Attractions & Days Out
07/08/2026
Dorchester is really the elite location for a Dorset holiday.
Everything is within easy reach. We are so centrally located for all the must-see attractions and coastline without the negatives of having to sit in beach-town traffic any time you want to go anywhere. We moved to Dorchester from Weymouth last year and BOY is there a massive reduction in driving time to get anywhere. Staying in Weymouth really adds an extra 30 or so minutes onto every journey - especially in the summer when the road in/out of Weymouth can get busy.
Plus, with the woods on our doorstep at Greenwood Grange there is always something to do. With little kids it’s nice to do a morning out somewhere and then come back for a chilled afternoon and a forest walk in the early evening.
Here are our favourite family days out - tried and tested by our little family. Let us know if you try any of them!
#1 MONKEY WORLD
We love it so much here that we have an annual pass (We chose to sponsor the marmosets!) It’s such a fun day out for all the family.
There is so much to do here you really could spend all day. There are keeper talks, several fantastic cafes & food stops (that are *really* reasonably priced) and the play areas here will keep kids entertained for hours. Plenty of places around the centre to stop for a picnic too.
Monkey World is around 15 minutes drive from Greenwood Grange.
#2 FARMER PALMERS FARM PARK
There is so much to do at Farmer Palmers, rain or shine! This farm park has thought of everything and is truly family friendly.
Our little boy loved feeding the animals in the barn and having a cuddle with the guinea pigs.
This is genuinely an all-weather day out too, with plenty of things to see and places to play undercover.
They also have a cracking outdoor sand and water play area, which was a hit!
Farmer Palmers is around a 20 minute drive from Greenwood Grange.
#3 KINGSTON LACY NATIONAL TRUST
Kingston Lacy is one of the largest National Trust properties and we absolutely love it.
There is a brilliant National Trust cafe, that’s great for lunch or a scone! And the Trust have recently invested heavily in the facilities here, including all new toilets - such a small thing but as toddler parents we really appreciated the family loos and thought the quiet space would be great if you needed to feed or just chill out.
There are two play parks and plenty of outdoor space to run around. Inside the house there’s also a fab play room for kids on the top floor.
With the option for longer walking or cycling trails around the estate, there really is something for everyone here.
Kingston Lacy is around 20 minutes drive from Greenwood Grange.
#4 SEALIFE CENTRE
Not just sea creatures! There is an abundance of things to do here. This is another atrraction that we have an annual pass for.
As well as sharks, turtles, otters and penguins there are also some fantastic play spaces.
In warmer weather, the splash pad zone is particularly good for cooling off. This is another place where you could easily spend a full day!
Sealife Centre is about 25 minutes from Greenwood Grange.
#5 NOTHE FORT
The Nothe Fort is a fab family day out. When you buy a ticket, you get entry for the rest of the year for free!
This is a dog-friendly attraction, which is helpful if you have come on holiday with a furry friend, and during the school holidays the fort runs various activities.
There’s a lovely cafe and kids will love searching for the little toy mice around the fort.
Nothe Fort is around 35 minutes from Greenwood Grange.
