Bring the family for a day out and step behind the scenes of a Hollywood movie or bestselling novel in stunning Dorset. You can find your own Jurassic Park on beaches sprinkled with fossils and smuggler's caves or trace Thomas Hardy novels on open heaths and vales. The southwest county's dramatic coastline is an outdoor sculpture gallery with arches, stacks and coves carved by Mother Nature herself, a must-see attraction in Dorset. Casual amblers and serious ramblers alike can trek ridgeways between Bronze Age burial mounds and castle ruins. With so many incredible places to visit in Dorset you’ll leave knowing exactly why this county is incredibly popular for vacations and staycations alike.
Places to visit in Dorset
Filter By:
-
Regions
- Type
- Seasons
VisitEngland Gold Award Winner: Nothe Fort
Featured
Discover a maze of underground passages and military history at 2022’s Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.
VisitEngland Silver Award Winner: The Acorn Inn
Featured
Sip on whisky, or play skittles at 2022’s Pub of the Year runner-up, which also featured in a Thomas Hardy classic.
VisitEngland Award Winner: West Bay Discovery Centre
Featured
Learn about climate change effects on the Jurassic Coast at this year’s bronze-place finalist for the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award.
Top 10 places to visit in Dorset this summer
Featured
Take a Dorset adventure this summer for top-notch seafood, squirrel spotting, cool hotels and Instagrammable villages.
Get in touch with your inner Tarzan at Go Ape
Looking for some active fun? Stop monkeying around and spend the day at Go Ape where you can fly down a zip wire or leap off Tarzan Swings.
Location: Northwich, Cheshire
Test your limits and climb The Cloud
Push yourself to the limit hiking the Gritstone Trail. With outstanding countryside and amazing views, the 35-mile trail is a challenge and a pleasure.
Location: Lyme Park, Cheshire
Land Rover driving and falconry fun at Peckforton Castle
Always wanted to test drive the latest Land Rover? Spend the day at Peckforton Castle and get ready for the drive of your life.
Location: Tarporley, Cheshire
Walk Cheshire’s beautiful Sandstone Trail
Take a walk on the wild side discovering the ancient market town of Frodsham, Georgian Whitchurch and everything in between.
Location: Frodsham, Cheshire
Family fun at Blakemere Village
If you're looking for a day out that’s great for adults and also family-friendly, why not head to Blakemere Village?
Location: Northwich, Cheshire
Savour your scoops at The Ice Cream Farm
Keep the kids happy with more than 40 delicious flavours of ice cream, an outdoor play area, farm, quad bikes, mini golf and more...
Location: Tattenhall, Cheshire
Explore the tranquil gardens at Tatton Park
Spread across the grounds of a historic estate in Cheshire, Tatton Park have been carefully expanded and cultivated since Edwardian times.
Location: Knutsford, Cheshire
Enjoy a picnic, zoo & make pottery at Walton Hall & Gardens
Spend the day enjoying the gardens, testing your golf skills and entertaining the kids at Walton Hall and Gardens.
Location: Warrington, Cheshire
Discover 1,000 years of history at Chester Cathedral
Journey through hundreds of years of history and discover hidden spaces as you climb to the top of the cathedral tower.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Discover Chester's Roman, heritage and spooky history
On a guided tour of Chester you’ll meet Roman soldiers, float along the River Dee and find out the spine-chilling tales of the city’s past.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Enjoy splendiferous fun at the Roald Dahl Museum
Ever wondered where Charlie and the Chocolate Factory started? This family-friendly museum has answers for children and adults of all ages.
Location: Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire
View Chester from an open-top vintage bus
Ride the open-top vintage bus on a Chester Tour and see the city’s archaeological and architectural heritage.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Romans, racing and the famous Rows in Chester
Discover Roman walls, medieval shopping galleries and England’s oldest racecourse in the historic city of Chester.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Tree top adventures and forest segways at Wendover Woods
Take to the trees for breath-taking views of the Chilterns and Black Park.
Location: Wendover, Buckinghamshire
Get creative with wood at The National Forest Wood Fair
Whatever can be done with wood, you’re likely to experience it at The National Forest Wood Fair, set in the stunning Beacon Hill Country Park.
Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire
Discover King Richard II's hidden fortune at Beeston Castle
A magical site with stunning views, long walks through rich woodland and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.
Location: Beeston, Cheshire
Visit one of the finest Norman cathedrals in Europe
Explore Peterborough Cathedral, its exquisite architecture and the resting place of Henry VIII’s first Queen, Katharine of Aragon.
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Bronze Age living at Flag Fen Archaeology Park
Travel back 3,500 years to discover a prehistoric causeway at one of the finest Bronze Age archaeological site in Northern Europe, discovered 1982.
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Be at one with birds of prey at Rosliston Forestry Centre
There’s something special about being close to a bird of prey; those round watchful eyes on high alert, fixing you with a dominating stare.
Location: Rosliston, Derbyshire
Explore Nene Park in the River Nene Valley
Imagine somewhere beautiful, safe and unspoilt where you can explore endless meadows, lakes and woodland, and the River Nene.
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Enjoy a wild night out with bushcraft at Catton Hall
Let Woodland Ways teach you the basics of bushcraft in a fun and safe environment whilst spending time outdoors and sleeping under the stars.
Location: Catton, Derbyshire
