Family Friendly City Experiences in Dorset

Day 1: Beach Day Fun

Bournemouth, Dorset

8:00AM

Breakfast at Urban Reef

Start your day with a delicious beachfront breakfast at Urban Reef, overlooking the sea.
Urban Reef is located on Boscombe Promenade.
£10, 1 hour

10:00AM

Bournemouth Beach

Enjoy a day of sun, sand, and sea at Bournemouth Beach. Build sandcastles, play beach games, and swim in the ocean.
Just a short walk from Urban Reef, follow the promenade.
Free, 4 hours

2:00PM

Lunch at WestBeach

Head to WestBeach for a seafood lunch with stunning views of the beach.
WestBeach is on Pier Approach.
£15, 1.5 hours

4:00PM

Oceanarium

Visit the Oceanarium to discover marine life from around the world. Perfect for the whole family.
Located on West Beach, near the pier.
£20, 2 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at Arbor Restaurant

End your day with a gourmet dinner at Arbor Restaurant, savouring delicious local cuisine.
Arbor Restaurant is situated in The Green House hotel.
£30, 2 hours
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Day 2: Harbour Exploration

Poole, Dorset

9:00AM

Poole Quay

Start your day at Poole Quay, explore the historic waterfront, and watch the boats go by.
Poole Quay is easily accessible from the town centre.
Free, 2 hours

11:00AM

Brownsea Island

Take a boat trip to Brownsea Island for a day of nature trails, wildlife spotting, and picnicking.
Ferries to Brownsea Island depart from Poole Quay.
£25 (includes round-trip ferry ticket), 4 hours

4:00PM

Poole Park

Relax in Poole Park, let the kids play in the playground, and even enjoy a boat ride on the lake.
Poole Park is a short walk from the town centre.
Free, 2 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at Rick Stein

Indulge in a seafood dinner at Rick Stein's restaurant, known for its fresh and delicious offerings.
Rick Stein is located on the high street.
£35, 2 hours
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Day 3: Seaside Charm

Weymouth, Dorset

8:30AM

Breakfast at The Dorset Burger Company

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at The Dorset Burger Company before your day of exploration.
Find this cosy eatery in the town centre.
£10, 1 hour

10:00AM

Weymouth Beach

Spend the morning at the beautiful Weymouth Beach, paddling in the sea and walking along the promenade.
Weymouth Beach is a short walk from the town centre.
Free, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at The Gloucester

Grab lunch at The Gloucester, a traditional pub with a relaxed atmosphere and tasty pub grub.
The Gloucester is located near the harbour.
£12, 1 hour

2:30PM

Sandworld

Explore Sandworld, a unique sand sculpture attraction where you can see incredible creations made of sand.
Sandworld is near Lodmoor Country Park.
£8, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Weymouth Harbour

Take a stroll around Weymouth Harbour, admire the boats, and maybe even go for a boat trip or a ferry ride.
The harbour is right by the town centre.
Boat trip prices vary, 1.5 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at The Ship Inn

Enjoy a cosy dinner at The Ship Inn, a family-friendly pub serving classic dishes and a selection of beers.
Find The Ship Inn in the old town area.
£20, 2 hours
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Day 4: Historical Exploration

Dorchester, Dorset

9:00AM

The Keep Military Museum

Start your day with a visit to The Keep Military Museum, where you can learn about Dorset's military history.
The museum is located near Top o' Town Roundabout.
£8, 2 hours

11:30AM

Dornier Museum

Explore the Dornier Museum, showcasing the remains of a German bomber that crashed in the sea off Weymouth in 1940.
The museum can be found near High West Street.
£6, 1.5 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at The Engine Room

Enjoy a delicious lunch at The Engine Room, a quirky restaurant in a former fire station with a varied menu.
The Engine Room is situated by The Top 'O' Town roundabout.
£15, 1 hour

3:00PM

Maiden Castle

Visit Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hillfort with panoramic views of Dorchester and the surrounding countryside.
Maiden Castle can be reached by a short drive or hike from the city centre.
Free, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Sienna

End your day with dinner at Sienna, a fine dining restaurant offering innovative dishes with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.
Sienna is located in High West Street.
£40, 2 hours
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Day 5: Coastal Town Exploration

Lyme Regis, Dorset

9:30AM

Marine Theatre

Start your day with a show at the Marine Theatre, offering various performances from drama to comedy.
You can find the Marine Theatre along the seafront.
£10, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at The Galley

Enjoy lunch at The Galley, a cosy restaurant with a great selection of seafood dishes and lovely views of the coast.
The Galley is located on Coombe Street.
£17, 1.5 hours

2:00PM

The Cobb

Explore The Cobb, a historic harbour wall offering great views and photo opportunities of Lyme Regis.
The Cobb is a short walk from the town centre.
Free, 1 hour

3:30PM

Lyme Regis Museum

Visit the Lyme Regis Museum to learn about the town's history, geology, and famous resident Mary Anning.
Located near the seafront, close to The Cobb.
£5, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at By The Bay

Enjoy a seafood dinner at By The Bay, known for its fresh seafood dishes and relaxed atmosphere.
By The Bay is situated on the seafront.
£30, 2 hours
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Day 6: Seaside Escapade

Swanage, Dorset

9:00AM

Swanage Railway

Embark on a nostalgic steam train journey on the Swanage Railway, enjoying views of the countryside and coast.
The Swanage Railway station is in the town centre.
£12 for a return ticket, 2 hours

11:00AM

Swanage Beach

Relax on the sandy Swanage Beach, build sandcastles, and paddle in the clear waters of the English Channel.
The beach is a short walk from the railway station.
Free, 3 hours

2:00PM

Lunch at Love Cake

Have a sweet treat at Love Cake, offering a variety of delicious cakes, pastries, and light bites.
Love Cake is located in the town centre.
£8, 1 hour

3:30PM

Swanage Pier

Take a stroll along Swanage Pier, enjoy the views of the bay, and perhaps stop for an ice cream or snack.
The pier is at the far end of the beach.
Free, 1 hour

5:00PM

Swanage Coastal Park

Explore the Swanage Coastal Park, walk along the trails, and enjoy the stunning coastal views.
The park can be accessed from the town centre.
Free, 2 hours

7:00PM

Dinner at The Black Swan Inn

End your day with a hearty dinner at The Black Swan Inn, a traditional pub serving classic British dishes.
The Black Swan Inn is near the town centre.
£25, 2 hours
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