Things to do in Dorset
The best part of any holiday is making memories that last a lifetime and in Dorset, there are an endless number of fun things to do with your fellow holiday makers to make said memories. Across our Dorset guide, you can read about Dorset’s historic attractions, its famed walks, coastal spots and most dog-friendly areas, but this guide tells you all you need to know about Dorset’s alternative, unique days out for you to try while staying in one of our Dorset Holiday Cottages.
Things to Do in South Dorset
Lulworth Cove is famed for being home to Durdle Door, the Jurassic Coast’s most famous landmark. But while everyone flocks to this impressive sight, why not see this dramatic stretch of coastline in a unique and adventurous way? Lulworth Outdoors offers Coasteering tours of Lulworth Cove, which involve scrambling over rocks, venturing into caves and jumping into the water, getting you as close to this impressive coastline as possible. The tours also include great anecdotes about the history of the Jurassic Coast and marine life from local guides. Not something for the faint of heart, but totally safe, coasteering at Lulworth Cove is bound to excite.
For those looking for a more relaxing activity, Sandworld in Weymouth is an interactive, ever-changing art gallery with a twist - everything is made from sand! Established by local sand artists Mark Anderson and David Hicks in 2011, Sandoworld is open for the majority of the year and is home to an array of varied, fascinating sand sculptures that are mightily impressive. A fun day out for the whole family, you can get stuck in at Sandworld by picking up tools and try making your very own sand sculpture!
Things to Do in North and East Dorset
Laserguys in Blandford is a thrilling day out for big and little kids alike. Blandford is ten miles north of our cottages in Wimborne and is home to this large outdoor laser tag play area. With a range of packages on offer, from kids laser parties to stag and hen dos, why not branch out and book a game at Laserguys as an alternative and exhilarating holiday day out?
Wimborne Minster – routinely shortened to Wimborne – is a pretty town that grew up around the Saxon abbey that was remodeled by the Normans in the 12th century. Ever since, the town has celebrated its history and changes by embracing the past in an array of local attractions. A local favourite is the charming Wimborne Model Town, which provides a fascinating glimpse into how the town looked in 1951 – there’s even a singing choir in the Minster and public loos that flush! On your visit you can walk around this miniature town (which measures up at 1/10 of Wimborne) and marvel at the intricacy with which it has been built.
North Dorset is well served by all manner of festivals, fairs and special events all year round that draw many visitors from near and far. Among the many highlights are the Snowdrop Festival (February) in Shaftesbury, Wimborne Literary Festival and Wimborne Minster Folk Festival. Wimborne is a hub for creativity, history and tradition, so if you happen to be in Dorset during one of their iconic festivals, be sure to check them out. You can read more about their festivals on the Wimborne Festivals website.
Things to Do in Bridport and West Dorset
Bridport is a bustling market town with a plethora of independent shops, several proactive arts venues, a wealth of highly regarded local food producers, well-established agricultural shows and the internationally noted annual hat festival – it’s easy to see why so many urbanites fall in love with Bridport’s near-perfect amalgam of all that’s great about Dorset’s towns, countryside and coastline. We have an array of cottages in Bridport for you to stay in, but even if you’re staying elsewhere, a day out in Bridport is bound to delight.
Another day trip destination in West Dorset is the serene town of Sherborne, which was once the capital of Wessex. With its distinctive yellow stone 15th century buildings, Sherborne is a beautiful place to spend the day. The castle, once the home of Sir Walter Raleigh and the impressive Abbey offer plenty of interest, as do the bustling town centre shops. Sherborne Castle’s grounds were designed by the famous landscaper Capability Brown and continue to bloom in full colour throughout the year. Sherborne is a great place for a family walk around the large, wooded grounds, and you can finish the day off with some delicious food in the tearooms, or perhaps pick up a fresh bottle of Sherborne Wine or another souvenir in the gift shop.
