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: 46

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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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Camping at Farmer Palmer's

Address

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

Telephone
01202 622022

shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

Organford, Poole

Camping at Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park is growing in popularity. Star gazing (no light pollution), playing ball, being greeted by some of our animals, feeding deer, and clean toilets, who could ask for more? Perhaps, space to fly kites, flat pitches…
Mother's Day - Half Price Entry for Mums!

Address

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

Telephone
01202 622022

shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

Organford, Poole

Farmer Palmer's are offering 1/2 PRICE TICKETS for all Mums this Mother’s Day (Sunday 19th March 2023)!
You can bring your little VIP’s to explore, play, and completely wear themselves out, so you can then enjoy that quiet Mothers Day night you’ve…
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.
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…
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.
Easter at Farmer Palmer's

Address

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

Telephone
01202 622022

shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

Organford, Poole

The Easter Bunny has been in touch and he’s delighted to be bouncing back to us this April for some EGG-CITING fun on the farm in 2023!
Have you heard? There are ‘Bandit Bunnies’ on the loose! These cheeky characters have plotted to capture the…
Sidmouth Museum

Address

Hope Cottage, Church Street, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8LY

Telephone
01395 516139

Sidmouth

At Sidmouth Museum you can see rare reptile fossils and amphibian bones which have been found on the beaches, including the remains of the Rhynchosaur, a curious herbivore reptile.
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…
Studland Bay Beaches

Address

Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AQ

Swanage

Shell Bay, Middle Beach and Knoll Beach in Studland Bay are three very popular sandy beaches at the far eastern end of the Jurassic Coast.