Half-term Fun in Dorset
05 September 2024
So, it’s the 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 seasons. The October half-term also includes Halloween, so whether you're a fan of fancy dress, spooky trails, pumpkin picking or just wish to get out and about in Dorset, we can help keep you entertained. Our Resort family has children of different ages, here are some of the things we plan to enjoy; perhaps you will too. Scroll down for lots of October half-term and halloween events to put in your diary!
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 October half-term.
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 autumn, the October half-term is the perfect time to visit Dorset woods. 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 be colder, but with a dry suit on and a sense of adventure you can 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!
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 this October half term in Dorset!
Food - Fish and chips, 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, 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'sWareham
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
Blue PoolWareham
Brewery SquareDorchester
Castletown D-Day CentrePortland
Kingston Maurward House, Gardens & Animal ParkDorchester
Sherborne CastleSherborne
Wimborne Model TownWimborneHalf-term Events
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is returning to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Over 100 powerful photographs capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking beauty of our planet. The images shine a light on stories and species from around the world and show the impact of human activity on the ...
Discover the spooky seas this Halloween!
Help our Sea Witch and Warlock look after their ocean home and fellow sea creatures by completing magical challenges throughout the aquarium.
Will you be brave enough to step up and help complete 'spook-splash-tic' challenges and fill in your activity sheet as you go?
Complete magical challenges to join our army of sea defenders!
Meet the Sea ...
Pick Your Own Pumpkin Farm
Don your wellies and come for a lovely autumnal day out:
– Pumpkin Picking
– Haunted House
– Trick or Treat
– and lots lots more…
Free to enter pumpkin patch
Dogs on leads welcome
5th & 6th October, 12th & 13th October, 19th & 20th & 26-31st October 2024
10am – 4pm
Join us on Friday 25th October for our Spooky Themed Family Fun Party Session, with our favourite DJ and Disco for fun and games Get Up and Groove. All the usual play and climbing fun will be included. An extra long session, fun and games with Get Up & Groove and all included in the normal admission, so why not join us?
Excited to Dress Up? 🎃 Come in your favorite HALLOWEEN COSTUME! ...
Explore the forest after-dark with a brand-new spooky experience!
New for 2024, this Halloween illuminated trail is filled with so many hidden surprises! Join your family and friends to wander from dusk into darkness at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. But remember, the darker it gets, the spookier it gets…
Explore the forest to discover the secret cemetery hidden in the trees. ...
Get ready for a glam-tastic morning at our Barbie & Ken's Disco Brunch! Join us for a dazzling disco party where Barbie and Ken will lead the fun with their signature moves, singing, and photo ops.
For just £12, your child will enjoy a scrumptious brunch, refreshing drinks and a fabulous goodie bag. And don’t miss out on our Halloween trail, included free with your brunch ticket—because even ...
You’ll be thrilled by MJ this Halloween – Michael Jackson tribute live at Key West on Bournemouth!
On Saturday 26th October 2024, we welcome Danny Oliver as Michael Jackson!
Come and witness Europe’s number-one tribute to the King of Pop!
The moves, the voice, the mannerisms!
Danny does it all, this is a show not to be missed! The closest you will get to see the real Michael ...
Autumn Colours Special Weekend - Reduced price entry to the gardens.
Brush away the cobwebs and enjoy a bracing walk around acres of magnificent garden surrounding the lake. Relax and marvel at the glorious colours of autumn reflected in the lake.
Dogs are welcome on short leads.
Children's Autumn Pumpkin Trail
Join our family fun trail in the garden.
Follow the trail discovering ...
The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary and we’d love to invite you all to join us!
Keep Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th of October free for a weekend full of events for all to commemorate an incredible four decades of our work along the coast. Be sure to keep your eyes open as we’re visited by dinosaurs and Mary Anning throughout the weekend.
Please visit ...
Welcome to Halloween Half Term at Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Saturday 26th October – Thursday 31st October 2024.
Halloween Half Term with Pumpkin Picking and Daily ‘Trick or Treat’ Tractor Rides
It’s Halloween! So, we hope you have a SPOOKTACULAR time with your little ones this Halloween Half Term at Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park! Our team transforms into our entertaining ‘Boo Crew’, ...
𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 - 𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝘀! 👻
Calling all little ghouls and goblins! Our annual Haunted Forest Trail is back and ready to give your kids a spook-tacular adventure they’ll never forget.
What to expect:
- 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧: Kids will engage all their senses as they make their ...
Join our family fun trail in the garden.
Follow the trail discovering pumpkins. Solve clues along the way.
PRIZES AVAILABLE FROM THE VISITOR ENTRANCE
FANCY DRESS IS VERY MUCH WELCOME
Fab Half term fun!
Open 10am • Last admission 4pm • Closes 5pm.
🎃 Explore a Hauntingly Good Time at Nothe Fort this Halloween! 🎃
🎃 Explore a Hauntingly Good Time at Nothe Fort this Halloween! 🎃
Step into the enchanting world of spells and spooks at Nothe Fort this October Half Term. We've conjured up a bewitching array of activities that are perfect for all ages. Join us for a ghoulishly good time as we celebrate the spookiest time of year, at ...
Kids for £1 with a full paying adult (each adult can bring a maximum of 3 kids) payable at the ticket office on the day of visit.
Please note: the Science Workshop this is an extra activity booked direct with Mini Professors.
Visit the Swannery over October Half Term for some Spooky fun.
This year’s theme is spooky science and space, discover the mad professor skeletons and crazy ...
Half Term fun for the whole family to enjoy! Kids’ activities, interactive exhibitions, soft play, and more.
The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life. Experience the biggest day out in history with 100 years of history, 300 tanks, kids activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction.
Take part in interactive family-friendly fun, themed around tanks in ...
Half Term Autumn Fun 2024
This autumn half term holiday Sunday 27th to Thursday 31st October, enjoy a host of fun and a charming day out at Lulworth Castle & Park – Dorset’s finest castle.
Seek out the pumpkins and find the funny bones on the autumn trails as you explore the Park. Practice your sporting skills with the themed pitch’n’putt and traditional lawn games. Get crafty at the ...
Visit Athelhampton, one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses surrounded by stunning architectural gardens with the bonus of being able to join in this special Half Term Event.
Step back in time to 1580, and meet the Martyn family of Athelhampton at this living history event.
All levels of society from gentlefolk to servants will be around the house and gardens to talk with and learn from. ...
𝗠𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 - 𝗔 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴!
Get ready for a roar of laughter and excitement at our Mad for Animals Show! This event is packed with fun for everyone, from toddlers to teens. Ever wondered if snakes like a good joke? Or if tarantulas enjoy a thrill? Come find out and enjoy a morning filled with hilarious comedy, thrilling games and up-close ...
🔫 Phaser Night
30 Oct 2024 to 30 Oct 2024
Time: 18:30 - 20:30 | Price: £14.50pp
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 ...
Halloween at Monkey World!
FREE entry for children in FULL Halloween fancy dress on 31st October 2024. Free fancy dress competition with prizes, as well as the fun activities for children. Select the Fancy dress option when booking online, on the 31st October only! Have a spook-tacular Halloween at Monkey World!
Monkey World provides sanctuary to over 260 rescued and endangered primates of ...
👻
Get ready for a fang-tastic time at our Spook-tacular Monster Party! This Halloween, we're turning up the fun with a monster mash that’s perfect for little ghouls and goblins.
For just £12 per child, you’ll get:
Spooky Disco with colourful lights & smoke - to set the eerie mood
- Fancy dress fun – come in your best monster, witch, or ghost costume
- Spooky Games - that will keep ...
Tickets: £27.50
2pm - Theatre
Steve Backshall’s Ocean is a love letter to the most exciting environment on our planet – and a great way to learn more about what we need to do to save our seas. Stunts, experiments, props, cutting edge science and big screen footage from his two decades in TV will all help Steve to bring the icons of the Big Blue to life. From Great whites to Great whales, ...
An immersive spooky 3-course dining & theatre experience above the waves on Bournemouth Pier!
On Halloween Thursday 31st October 2024, we welcome you to Key West on Bournemouth Pier where you will enter a 1920s Cocktail Soiree to end all soirees.
An immersive event based on Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’.
Let us transport you back to the 1920s to a style ball with a dark twist…
...
A Bonfire and Fireworks Display will be held at Melbury House on Friday 1st November 2024 in aid of Melbury Osmond and Evershot Churches.
Gates open 6.30pm | Bonfire Lighting 7.00pm | BBQ & Refreshments | Free Car Parking |
Melbury House, Melbury Sampford, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 0LF
For Sat Nav follow DT2 0LW
1pm & 4pm - Theatre
All tickets £14.50
Princess Live is the ultimate hour long princess pop party, featuring your favourite fairytale royalty in this all singing all dancing hour long concert show.
The Princesses are tired of their royal duties. So they decided to come together and make the ultimate pop girl group. Cinderella's fairy godmother has given her a magic wand so she can give ...
Watch the fireworks as they light up the sky over the harbour.
The fireworks are released from the Cobb, so anywhere along the seafront or in Langmoor and Lister gardens will offer a perfect vantage point to view the display.
The fireworks start at 6.30pm.
The display is free of charge with a collection made to fund future displays, so please bring some cash and place into one of the ...Please share or leave a comment
Latest Features
Places to Go
Find places to go and things to do in Dorset using the options below.
Attractions
Activities
Pubs & Restaurants
Holiday Parks
Shops & Services
Vouchers & OffersDorset Events
More Recent Features
Whether you call him Santa Claus, Father Christmas, St Nicks or simply Santa, your little one will want to meet the real Santa in Dorset this year. Lucky for you, many of Dorset's businesses have arranged magical experiences and Santa's Grottos throughout Dorset for you and your family to do just that.
Maybe you're looking for breakfast with Santa, a winter wonderland, a meet and greet Santa, or a SEN Santa visit.
We are building up all the best local events, so ... Read more...
Celebrate with a bang this Guy Fawkes here in Dorset, where you'll find a wide range of firework displays and bonfire events for the whole family to enjoy.
Dorset Bonfire and Fireworks Displays can be found here:
Read more...
So, it’s the 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 seasons. The October half-term also includes Halloween, so whether you're a fan of fancy dress, spooky trails, pumpkin picking or just wish to get out and about in Dorset, we can help keep you entertained. Our Resort family has children of ... Read more...