The best free things to do in Dorset

Fun family holidays don’t have to break the bank, especially when you are visiting a county as full of historical and cultural attractions as Dorset! Offering a variety of heritage sites, outdoor settings and exciting events, it’s no surprise how popular this county is with holidaymakers. We’ve selected some of the best free things to do in Dorset while on visiting with your family.

Museums and Galleries

Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre has become one of the best free museums around. With the help of a Heritage Lottery Fund, the Swanage Museum offers a wide variety of interactive exhibitions, old-fashioned shops, and fun for kids. Poole Museum is another great find by the harbour. Set in a 19th century warehouse, the highlight has to be the Iron Age Poole log boat. 

For art lovers, there are two brilliant galleries and craft centres housed within Place Mill, Christchurch and Walford Mill, Wimbourne. Both have a great selection of art work on show by local artist and also run craft workshops.

Castles and Churches

Maiden Castle is one of Britain’s finest examples of an Iron Age Hill fort. It is massive! Covering an area roughly the area of 50 football pitches, it would have once housed over 200 families. Another impressive attraction to let the kids run wild on is Eggardon Hill Fort. The views from here are incredible! If you prefer your fortifications to be more stone than grass, then plan a visit to the 11th century ruins of Christchurch Castle.

Known as the Cathedral of Dorset, Sherborne Abbey has an impressive history that can be traced all the way back to 705 AD. Other impressive religious attractions include Christchurch Priory Church, where you can climb the tower in the summer to look out over the harbour, and Knowlton Church, which was built within a Neolithic monument.

Beaches, Parks and Woods

The Bournemouth seafront and pier is a fine example of Victorian engineered seaside fun which has stood the test of time to still be enjoyed today. Weymouth Beach is bustling and vibrant with sandy shores fit for fun and games. For a slightly quieter bucket and spade beach, Swanage is a popular hangout for families. For breathtaking cliff top walks and stunning landscapes, then Durdle Door and Man ‘O’ War beach are not to be missed.

If you prefer to park your bum on grass rather than sand ,there are numerous parks and woodland areas across Dorset that make excellent picnic spots. Alder Hills, Arne, Pamphill Bluebell Woods, and Avon Heath County Park provide great trails for gentle walks in beautiful landscapes abundant with wildlife.

Something A Little Different

We have all heard of the white chalk horses stamped on many British Hills, well Cerne Abbas is the rude, club wielding giant version! It’s age and origin is unknown, and it is debated whether he is meant to be a Saxon deity, a Celtic figure of importance, or Hercules. Either way, he is an important part of Dorest culture and folklore!

Another fascinating attraction is the ghost town of Tyneham. The 252 villagers were kicked out when the war office commandeered the land in 1943 to use as a firing range for training soldiers. Time has stood still here ever since!

Yearly Specials

Every year there are a number of free festivals and events in Dorset. Each summer, the Bournemouth Air Festival kicks off at the end of August. It is ‘by the sea and completely free’ with ground-based stalls, music, aerial displays, and evening entertainment too. August is also the month of Sting in the Tale: A Festival of Stories. All sorts of tales are spun evoking a range of emotions for all ages to enjoy. The festival is spread out across the county at a variety of locations that include traditional library and museum settings as well as more unique venues such as castles, crypts, woodland and even an Iron Age Earthouse.

During the first week of November after the peak tourist season ends, the Lyme Regis Walking Festival provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local coastline while learning about the Jurassic coast’s 185 million year history when it is less crowded. The following week is the Dorset Architectural Heritage Week. Many of the historic buildings throughout Dorset will open for free to help kindle interest in Dorset’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Dorest is a great county for travellers looking for a cheap fun holiday. There are plenty of great camping and caravan sites with easy driving access to all the above attractions. However, we recommend booking in advance, especially if you are planning on visiting during the summer holidays or staying around larger towns such as Weymouth and Swanage.