Dorset’s stunning landscape and magnificent coastal walks have attracted visitors world wide but we thought you would like to know about all the fantastic attractions to be found within easy reach of Pinewood Holiday Lodges. Come rain or shine there is plenty to keep kids both big and small entertained, and here we list just a few of the top attractions that will make sure you never want to leave Dorset.
Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre http://www.monkeyworld.org/
Monkey World is one of the best loved and most famed attractions in the whole of Dorset. Helping governments around the world put a stop to the smuggling of primates from the wild, Dorset-based Monkey World is home to chimpanzees, orang-utans, gibbons, woolly monkeys, capuchin monkeys, marmosets and squirrel monkeys, to name just a few, and all are refugees of this illegal trade. Open every day of the year, bar Christmas Day, Monkey World is a fantastic attraction to visit in Dorset while offering visitors the chance to help in this great cause.
Tank Museum http://tankmuseum.org/
The Tank Museum is home to the Royal Tank Regiment and Royal Armoured Corps. The permanent exhibit boasts a collection of tanks and supporting artefacts that relay over 100 years of history, and for those who wish to catch a piece of the action live their Tanks in Action Displays and Tracked Vehicle Rides occur throughout the school holidays.
Swanage Railway http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/
The vintage Swanage Railway allows you to see a view of Dorset like no other stoping at Norden, Corfe Castle, Harmans Cross, Herston and Swanage, it makes Dorset’s heritage towns and Jurassic Coast more accessible to visitors. The heritage steam and diesel train service also hosts a number of seasonal events, including the popular Santa Specials and Driving Experiences.
Portland Museum http://www.portlandmuseum.co.uk/
Dorset’s Portland Museum is another astonishing historic site that tells a story of Portland. Situated in two early 17th century stone cottages, this museum is as old as the artefacts it houses. The house in which the museum resides has a unique history in itself, having inspired author Thomas Hardy, with one of the cottages being the inspiration behind the house of his novel, The Well-Beloved’s heroine Avice.
Athelhampton House & Gardens http://www.athelhampton.co.uk/
Athelhampton is a unique 15th century manor house illustrating to guests the history and culture of Dorset from this time. The regular events and activities hosted by the house provide fun for all the family. The house and gardens also give visitors a taste for local history, with the likes of author Thomas Hardy being a regular visitor of Athelhampton and one of Dorset’s most famed residents.
Moors Valley Country Park Dorset http://www.moors-valley.co.uk/
Moors Valley is the joint venture between East Dorset Council and the Forestry Commission, and offers visitors a chance to really get to grips with nature. From peaceful activities such as walking and cycling to more adventurous goings on for the adrenaline junkies with the Go Ape course, the Moors Valley Country Park and Forest offers something to suit all tastes and interests whilst families can make the most of their holiday in the Dorset great outdoors.
Marine Theatre Lyme Regis Dorset http://www.marinetheatre.com/
The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis offers a great range of productions, covering comedy, theatrics, poetry, dance and young people’s theatre. It’s incredible history which dates back to 1806, when it first opened as a sea water baths, proves this little theatre by the sea makes for a great attraction in itself, let alone for the great performances that it hosts.
Poole Museum http://poolemuseum.co.uk/
Delving into the history of Dorset’s people and landscape, the Poole Museum in Poole near Bournemouth can’t be beaten. Exhibitions cover art, pottery and even pirates, making them a great attraction for the younger visitor as well as interesting for the adults too. The museum covers four floors and has plenty to inspire and intrigue visitors on a rainy day.
Sandworld http://www.sandworld.co.uk/
Open between Easter and Halloween, Sandworld is perfect for when the weather takes a turn, its indoor venue hides a secret cove of wonders, playing host to numerous giant sand sculptures created by some of the world’s most talented sand artists.