Half-term Events in Dorset
15 May 2025
So, it’s the May half term and you may be wondering how you’re going to keep the kids entertained!
Well don’t worry, whether you are local resident or are staying in Dorset on a break, there’s lots to do throughout the half term holidays. If you're looking for things to do in Dorset we have found lots of Dorset events to keep you entertained. Our Resort family has children of different ages, here are some of the things we plan to enjoy during the school holidays; perhaps you will too. If you are looking for lots of half-term events to put in your diary, see below.
Half-term Events
A very special herd of elephants have arrived in Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis.
Stampede by the Sea features 59 elephant sculptures, placed across the area to create a fun and free art trail accessible to all. Stampede by the Sea is raising funds for Weldmar Hospicecare who provide specialist end of life care for local adults with life limiting illness and support for their loved ones. ...
The Great Tail Trail will run for 8 weeks from 5 April to 1 June 2025, creating a free family-friendly walking trail through popular locations across BCP. You’ll find mermaid tail sculptures along the coast and in the towns and parks, shining a light on the landmarks and culture that are at the heart of our beautiful area.
As well as encouraging local residents to re-discover the towns they ...
This month, enjoy the Merry Month of May family trail at East Dorset Museum and try out some fun and quirky May traditions.
Become the May king or queen and make your own royal flower crown or hold court in our schoolroom. You can also dress up as a maid or a butler, dance around a maypole and hunt for flowers in our beautiful springtime garden.
Make sure you take photographs to receive ...
Making art accessible, a group of local artists will be exhibiting paintings, ceramics, jewellery, mixed media sculptures and textiles in various locations during May including at the Royal Manor Theatre, Portland.
Thanks to Houseworks Dorset CIC ‘Youth Hub’ funding from Big4Littlemoor’ artists will also be working with local children and young people to produce work on the theme ‘'The ...
Much-loved local event Cursus Festival comes to Blandford from the 23rd to 25th May.
The festival runs over 3 days and nights, to attend all three nights you will need a SATURDAY/SUNDAY ticket plus a FRIDAY ADD-ON ticket. This is so that people who can’t make it until Saturday are not paying for a day they cannot attend.
All tickets include tent camping, if you wish to bring a camper ...
Saturday 24th May 10am
All Tickets £5
This viewing is subtitled and relaxed. Relaxed screenings are designed to create a more comfortable environment for those who may benefit from a gentler cinema experience, including individuals with sensory sensitivities, autism, or communication needs.
The lights will remain on, the sound will be reduced, and the doors will stay open throughout the ...
Embark on a swan-tastic adventure at Abbotsbury Swannery over the May Bank Holiday weekend!
Tickle your taste buds at the Dorset Food and Drink curated food & craft stalls, and don’t miss out on see the new fluffy cygnets of 2025!
A free festival for pirates, mermaids and anyone else who wants to join in!
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2024.
Stalls, living history, re-enactments, pirate parade, pub crawl and a children's area.
The Wimborne Militia, the River Rogues, Dewarren, the Greyhounds, Star Gun Company and Broadside Gunners will be doing live history re-enactments during the Festival.
For more ...
Welcome to this year’s Christchurch Food Festival! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey like no other as this vibrant festival returns to the heart of Christchurch in its 25th year!
Celebrating the rich gastronomic heritage of the South Coast, this annual extravaganza brings together food enthusiasts, renowned chefs, local producers, and eager visitors from far and wide.
In addition ...
Go Nuts At Monkey World!
Every child who brings an unopened bag of nuts for the primates receives a free Monkey World badge over the bank holiday weekend.
This bank holiday, help our rescued and endangered monkeys and apes by donating a bag of unopened nuts! These can be either shelled or unshelled but must be unsalted. Every child who brings a bag of nuts with them will receive a FREE ...
Join us this Half Term for a week of nature-filled fun as we celebrate The Great Outdoors during National Children’s Gardening Week!
🎉 Expect fresh air, muddy hands, and lots of smiles with activities like:
🌱 Sow & Grow - Plant your own seeds to take home
🎨 Nature-led Drawing - Create art inspired by the outdoors
🌿 Little Trekkers Plant Trail - Explore the Estate and uncover the ...
Join us for a magical fantasy adventure at Nothe Fort this Half-Term!
Bring the whole family along for a magical escape, featuring:
Dragon Egg Hunt – find the hidden dragon eggs scattered all over the Fort
Archery with Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre 30th May only
Escape the Labyrinth
Fantasy Storytelling
Become the Castle Champion and solve the Dragon Challenge
Swordfighting ...
May Half Term at Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park has become very popular with both parents and kids for activities to do in Dorset! We have wide range of activities going on, so make sure that you check the dates, times, and activities before booking/reserving your visit.
Mon 26th May
10am – 12pm: Wet The Western Tractor Trailer Ride
Tues 27th May
10am – 12pm: Wet The Western Tractor Trailer ...
Exciting Things to Do in Bournemouth this May Half Term, Whatever the Weather
May Half Term Just Got More Fun!
Do you live in Bournemouth and want something to keep the kids entertained, whatever the weather? Are you staying in the area and are looking for fun things to do at the Bournemouth seafront?
Book your adventure online today and save money on your ticket instead of the ...
Half term VE Day fun for the whole family to enjoy at The Tank Museum.
Tank displays, kids’ activities, vehicle rides, and more!
The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life. Experience the biggest day out in history with explosive live displays, 300 tanks, kids’ activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE ...
This half term visitors to Swanage Railway are invited to take part in our on-train activity trail.
This trail can be completed from your seat on the train, adding inspiration and excitement to your journey while introducing the railway and its surroundings.
Bring your completed trail form to our shop at Swanage to get a discount on your purchases!
Trail forms are issued when tickets ...
Visit us between May 25th & 29th (Sunday – Thursday) and enjoy our animal and critter themed trails, lawn games, hunts & crafts all included in the usual admission price.
Spend the day exploring the Castle, climb the tower, visit our Peacock Park woodland playground and enjoy some tea and cake in the Castle Tearoom.
Join the team from MAD 4 ANIMALS at 12 noon and 2pm for daily critter ...
The Sherborne Castle Country Fair presents a rich and fun programme of events, country activities, stands and entertainment including one of the largest Rare Breed Shows in the country. For one day each year, one of the finest settings, with its spectacular grounds and lake surrounding Sherborne Castle, is transformed into a fun-packed Country Fair with attractions, entertainment and ...
Radio Alert... It's another Lunar Landings meteoric event... The Asteriod Trunkesar will pass closer to the earth than any of our satelites.. We believe this is a desparate plan to mask an alien invasion... can you help Captain Lewey Hoops stop them?
Join the crew aboard the SS Clash Landings for an exciting evening of HALF TERM phaser tag! Whether you come alone or bring your friends it's ...
Wednesday 28th May - Friday 30th May at 7pm AND Saturday 31st May at 2pm & 7pm
Adults £20, Children £15
Wessex Musical Theatre proudly presents "Lionel Bart's OLIVER! The Musical", By special arrangement with CAMERON MACKINTOSH and licensed by Music Theatre International.
Oliver Twist - The boy who wanted more! Orphan, Oliver leaves his life at the workhouse after being sold to an ...
Experience the ultimate family day out at Family Fest 2025! Enjoy a fun-filled event designed for families of all ages, packed with exciting activities, live entertainment, and delicious food. From interactive workshops and games to musical performances and craft stalls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Bring your family and create unforgettable memories at this fantastic event!
Welcome to the Wessex Folk Festival 2025. The famous free Wessex Folk Festival is held every year in the first week of June and has been established for the past 21 years. It is one of the biggest free festivals in the UK, held on the picturesque Harbourside in Weymouth.
The weekend starts with ‘warm up’ sessions in the harbourside pubs on the Friday afternoon and evening, where people can ...Fossil Hunting – Will you be the next person to find a Sea Rex? Who knows you may just discover the next big thing! Do be aware of the tide times, stay away from unstable cliffs and always follow the fossiling code of conduct. Lyme Regis beach, Charmouth and Kimmeridge are all great spots and perfect for exploring over the half-term holiday.
Bike Rides – get the kids active with a shorter ride for little legs or something a bit more adventurous for older children: take a look at some great cycling routes here.
Head for Heights – at 191 metres (627 ft), where is the highest point on the south coast of Great Britain? Yes you guessed right, it’s Golden Cap, and on a good day it is visible for tens of miles along the coastline. Why not challenge your family to see who can get to the top first? Remember to take care and not to get too close to the cliff edge, keeping any dogs on a lead.
Sculptures – the family will enjoy seeking out the creations carved out of stone at the Tout Quarry Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve on the isle of Portland, it’s also a great place to take some lovely family photos – picture perfect!
Shopping – OK I get it, kids don’t always like shopping, but we mums do and Bridport’s Saturday and Wednesday markets have lots of unique stalls: you’ll find vintage clothing, Dorset art, ceramics, bric-a-brac, wooden walking sticks and, of course, a few kids’ toys. There’s also one of the best independent toy shops in Dorset, on East Street. You should also head to Bridport’s vintage quarter where you will find many interesting shops to explore.
Woods – we all love a trip to the woods, especiallly in the May half-term when everything is popping with colour, a mix of Dorset bluebells and wild garlic. We particularly love Thorncombe Woods, near Dorchester, Moors Valley Country Park, which is located on the Dorset/Hampshire border, and the fabulous New Forest too. If the kids’ legs get tired start a treasure hunt; we hide chocolate coins as we go along for the kids to spot and enjoy whilst taking in the fresh air.
On the Water – It might not be the sumer holidays but the May half term will hopefully bring good weather, pop on a dry suit on and find your sense of adventure, try kayaking, windsurfing, or paddle boarding. Or perhaps the simple things work for you; like a stroll along the shoreline, an ice-cream, or skimming stones. Fresh air is good for the soul, and it doesn’t always mean you have to dip into your pocket! You will also find that many of Dorset's beaches have saunas, so you can certainly warm up and cool down with a sea swim!
Cheeeeeese – not the edible kind (although we do love Dorset cheeses), but photo opportunities. In Dorset you are spoilt for choice with a host of perfect locations to capture the sunrise, sunset or just your children roaming free in the vast open spaces we are blessed with here. Let the children have a go too; they might find a healthy new hobby this half term, or perhaps even become the next David Bailey!
Some of the best spots we like for photos: Kimmeridge, Man O’ War Bay, Corfe Castle, Durdle Door, Golden Cap, The Cobb - Lyme Regis, Portland Bill, Gold Hill - Shaftesbury, Thorncombe Woods and any of Dorset’s beaches!
Attractions – animal adventures, aquariums, interactive museums, steam trains, gorgeous gardens, and kids’ play, we really are spoilt for choice. Local attractions offer you a great day out, and some will have special half term events on. Take a look at the list below and see what will work for your family, whether it be monkey madness, rides and slides, history highlights or something else, these businesses will welcome your family and keep everyone entertained during the half-term in Dorset.
Food - Fish and chips, are hard to beat so head to the coast and enjoy them by the seaside.
We hope whatever you and your family plan to do, you have a great week in the May holidays, below are a list of Dorset attractions and activity providers who would love you to join them over half term!
Attractions and Activities
Abbotsbury Subtropical GardensAbbotsbury
Athelhampton House & GardensDorchester
BeaulieuNew Forest
Buckler's HardNew Forest
Chesil Equestrian CentrePortland
Compton AcresPoole
Corfe CastleCorfe Castle
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm ParkWimborne
Farmer Palmer'sPoole
Highcliffe CastleChristchurch
Keep Military MuseumDorchester
Lemur LandingsPoole
Liberty's Owl Raptor & Reptile CentreNew Forest
Longdown Activity FarmNew Forest
Lulworth Castle & ParkLulworth
Mapperton House and GardensBeaminster
Monkey World - Ape Rescue CentreWareham
New Forest Wildlife ParkNew Forest
Nothe FortWeymouth
OceanariumBournemouth
Pirate Adventure GolfWeymouth
Portland AlpacasPortland
Purbeck Sports CentreWareham
Purbeck BreezerPoole
Portland Bill Lighthouse & Visitor CentrePortland
RockReefBournemouth
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse MuseumDorchester
Splashdown WaterparkPoole
Swanage RailwaySwanage
Tank MuseumWareham
Weymouth Sea Life Adventure ParkWeymouth
Dorset Museum & Art GalleryDorchester
Portland MuseumPortland
Abbotsbury SwanneryAbbotsbury
Brewery SquareDorchester
Castletown D-Day CentrePortland
Kingston Maurward House, Gardens & Animal ParkDorchester
Sherborne CastleSherborne
Wimborne Model TownWimborne
Badger WatchDorchester
Lyme Bay Rib CharterWest Bay
Moonfleet Adventure Sail TrainingPortland
SandworldWeymouth
Sticks & BonesWeymouth
Symondsbury EstateBridport
Weymouth PavilionWeymouthPlease share or leave a comment
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