Families

There’s a reason why the Jurassic Coast is frequently named as one of the best UK holiday destinations for families. Our coastline offers a smorgasbord of fun, entertaining and easily accessible activities and attractions across a landscape that acts as one giant outdoor classroom.

Whether it’s using maths to calculate the distance between points on a walk, breathing in the landscapes that inspired Enid Blyton or Tracey Chevalier, or discovering the incredible ancient art of stone masonry, we’ve got the curriculum covered in a way that’s perennially inspiring (oh, yeah we have a little bit of Science going on here too!).

There’s something here for every age and budget. Start with our selection of Free offerings on the coast, and browse our features for families with Teenagers, those visiting on Rainy Days, and those travelling with intrepid Young Palaeontologists in tow. Explore our selection of Hidden Gems and return home with a great story for school time show ‘n’ tell.

Activities on offer range from the timeless pleasure of a day at the Beach, to something more adventurous like Stand-Up Paddleboarding, a Boat Trip or, of course, Fossil Collecting.

Check out our What’s On guide for everything coming up for families on the coast, whether it’s a festival, a fossil walk or something seasonal. The Jurassic Coast is an all-year-round destination (did you know you can find some of the best fossils in the depths of Winter?) with ever-changing views and endless nooks and crannies to explore, meaning you can make a visit here a regular family tradition.

Number of results: 29

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Spyway Dinosaur Footprints

Address

Langton Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3HG

info@jurassiccoast.org

Swanage

Hidden away in Purbeck, within a stone's throw of the Jurassic Coast, is the Spyway Dinosaur Footprints. Nestled alongside a working quarry, and easily accessible from the Priest's Way walking path, these incredible footprints were made by Jurassic…
Lyme Regis Museum Fossil Walks - February 2023

Address

Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge St, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QA

Telephone
01297 443370

museum@lymeregismuseum.co.uk

Lyme Regis

Join Lyme Regis Museum's expert guides to go fossil hunting on Lyme’s famous East beach and Black Ven. Learn all about the remarkable fossil hunter Mary Anning, the geology of the Jurassic Coast and discover your own fossils to take home.
Lyme Regis Museum

Address

Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QA

Telephone
01297 443370

Lyme Regis

Enjoying a stunning seafront location on the world-famous Jurassic Coast with fantastic views over Lyme Bay.
At Lyme Regis Museum you’ll find fossils galore in the new interactive geology gallery, a new learning centre (great fun for families),…
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre Fossil Walks - February 2023

Address

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Lower Sea Ln, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6LL

Telephone
01297 560772

info@charmouth.org

Charmouth, Bridport

Join a guided Fossil Walk with Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre's Wardens to find and take home your own Jurassic fossil!
This 1.5 hour session will take place entirely outdoors, where you will head straight onto the beach to hunt for fossils with…
Dinosaur Sleepovers 2023

Address

Dorset Museum, High W St, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA

Telephone
01308 807000

info@jurassiccoast.org

Dorchester

The Jurassic Coast Trust’s Dinosaur Sleepover returns to Dorset Museum in Dorchester for 2023!
These popular family events feature an evening of fun and varied activities led by our Jurassic Coast experts, plus a film and breakfast, and the chance…
The Ammonite Pavement

Address

Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3RH

Lyme Regis

Taking a short walk west along Monmouth Beach at low tide will bring you to the Ammonite Pavement - a number of limestone ledges, washed clear by the sea.
Bridport Museum

Address

South Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NR

Telephone
01308 458703

Bridport

The small Jurassic Coast gallery in Bridport Museum boasts some wonderful specimens of local fossils including ammonites, starfish and even a plesiosaur. All of these specimens were discovered just a few miles from the museum and show how amazingly…
Half-Term Opening – Making Origami Boats!

Address

West Bay Discovery Centre, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

manager@westbaydiscovery.org.uk

Bridport

We are open at the West Bay Discovery Centre over February half–term with all our usual fun interactive displays and toys, plus try your hand at making some colourful origami boats! Free entry – donations welcomed.
West Bay Discovery Centre

Address

West Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

Bridport

West Bay Discovery Centre tells the story of West Bay past and present featuring information, static and interactive displays, oral history and walking trails. There is something of interest for all visitors and ages. It also aims to provide…
Splashdown Poole

Address

Tower Park, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4NY

Telephone
01202 716123

info@splashdownpoole.co.uk

Poole

Join in the flumin’ good fun at one of the south’s best loved family visitor attractions. Dare you enter the lair of the resident dragon; can you slide past without waking him up?
Dorset Museum

Address

High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA

Telephone
01305 756827

enquiries@dorsetmuseum.org

Dorchester

Come and explore 250 million years of history at the Dorset Museum!
Located in the centre of Dorchester, this award-winning Museum is one of the cultural centres of Dorset with four themed galleries, special exhibitions area, a library and a café.
Rockley

Address

Buddens Activity Centre, Puddletown Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7NU

Telephone
01202 677272

hello@rockley.org

Wareham

Buddens Activity Centre offers you the opportunity to explore the natural environment and take part in a huge range of outdoor adventurous activities in a stunning setting.
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park

Address

Wareham Rd, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU

Telephone
01202 622022

shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

Poole

Ideal for children under 8 years old, Farmer Palmer’s provides a farm-tastic mixture of fresh air, play, adventure, and education, all designed specifically for children aged 0-8 years and their families.
Durlston Country Park

Address

Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL

Telephone
01929 424443

Swanage

Located one mile from Swanage, Durlston Country Park is a 280 acre countryside paradise with stunning views, hay meadows and coastal downland, the historic Great Globe and a wealth of bird and wildlife including regular sightings of dolphins.
Cumulus Outdoors

Address

Cobbler's Lane, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2PX

Telephone
01929 422480

info@cumulusoutdoors.com

Swanage

Located in Swanage, Dorset, Cumulus offer a rich and varied Residential Programme with adventure activities for a wide range of educational groups, with both tented and hard top accommodation plus field study facilities and classrooms at our…
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

Address

Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6LL

Telephone
01297 560772

info@charmouth.org

Charmouth

Visit Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre to see our amazing fossil collections and find out how to discover your own fossils on the beach. Our guided fossil hunting walks are a great family day out on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Beaminster Museum

Address

Whitcombe Road, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NB

Telephone
01308 863623

info@beaminstermuseum.co.uk

Beaminster

Beaminster Museum in West Dorset is a small museum of local history, which visitors from far and wide have declared "delightful" and "fascinating", with plenty to see and do for all ages.
Seaton Tramway

Address

Harbour Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2TB

Telephone
01297 20375

Seaton

Seaton Tramway operates narrow gauge heritage trams between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in East Devon's glorious Axe Valley, travelling alongside the River Axe estuary through two nature reserves and giving an unrivalled view of the abundant wading…
Portland Museum

Address

217 Wakeham, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1HS

Telephone
01305 821804

Portland

Visit Portland Museum and find out about the history of quarrying on Portland, and the world renowned building stone which has been used in many iconic buildings around the world including St Paul’s Cathedral and the UN buildings in New York.
Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre

Address

Main Road, West Lulworth, Dorset, BH20 5RQ

Telephone
01929 400587

West Lulworth

The displays, animations and films in the Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre tell the story of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, two of the most iconic geological features on the Jurassic Coast.