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!).

Something for Everyone

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, Rockpooling, a Boat Trip or, of course, Fossil Collecting.

Find Out What's On

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: 50

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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.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre Fossil Walks - April 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…
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 - April 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),…
Dinosaur Footprints Walks

Address

The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3LF

Telephone
01308 807000

info@jurassiccoast.org

Swanage

Join the Jurassic Coast Trust’s expert Ambassadors for leisurely, family-friendly walks to the Spyway Dinosaur Footprints in Purbeck. Proudly sponsored by Purbeck Ice Cream – all children’s places FREE! Adults £10, or £5 for Jurassic Coast Trust…
Lyme Regis Museum Fossil Walks - March 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.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre Fossil Walks - March 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…
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.
Dinosaur Sleepovers 2023

Address

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

Telephone
01308 807000

info@jurassiccoast.org

Dorchester

Jurassic Coast Trust’s Dinosaur Sleepover
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 to spend the night in this beautiful and historic…
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…
Summer Friday BBQ's

Address

Farmer Palmer's, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU

Telephone
01202 622022

shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

Organford, Poole

Summer Friday BBQ's
Dates: 28th July, 4th Aug, 11th Aug, 18th, Aug, 25th Aug 2023
Your taste buds will be tingling after our sizzling summer BBQ’s! You will be able to get your baps, burgers, and buns from our Chicken Coop (or Hen Hen Restaurant…
Free Childrens Art Workshop with Darrell Wakelam

Address

West Bay Discovery Centre, The Chapel on the Beach, W Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

manager@westbaydiscovery.org.uk

West Bay, Bridport

Come and join in with artist Darrell Wakelam and help us build some giant fish to display in our latest exhibition ‘Beneath the Waves’.
All ages welcome, let’s see what we can catch in our giant net!
Free drop-in workshop (donations welcomed).
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.
Halloween at Farmer Palmer's

Address

Farmer Palmer's, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU

Telephone
01202 622022

shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

Organford, Poole

Halloween activities at Farmer Palmer’s are running from Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th October 2023. Join in the fun with our super popular “Soak-a-Spook” Tractor Trailer Rides and Farmer Palmer’s Pumpkin Picking (tickets can be purchased, in addition…
World Book Day

Address

Farmer Palmer's, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU

Telephone
01202 622022

shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

Organford, Poole

World Book Day at Farmer Palmer's
Helping to build vocabulary, explore happiness and fun. Let your children’s imagination run WILD, by celebrating World Book Day with us!
Join us on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th March 2023 in the Milking Demo, where…
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.
Studland Bay - South Beach

Address

S W Coast Path, Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AN

Swanage

South Beach in Studland Bay is a sandy beach, and is fairly narrow compared to neighbouring Studland beaches. As with other Studland Beaches, South Beach is very popular, particularly during peak periods.
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…
Easter Fun at the West Bay Discovery Centre

Address

The Chapel on the Beach, W Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

info@westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk

West Bay, Bridport

Join us in the West Bay Discovery Centre this Easter – help us find the naughty escaped Easter chicks and have fun doing lots of Easter colouring! Free entry – donations welcomed.