A family guide to Dorset this summer
The Ultimate Dorset Summer Bucket List
Date
21 / 05/ 2026
Category
Family experiences, Moonfleet Manor
Summer by the Jurassic Coast
Summer in Dorset is all about beach days, fresh sea air, and making the most of the Jurassic Coast. It’s the kind of place where children can spend hours outside, whether they’re searching rock pools, skimming stones, or running straight from the sea back to the sand.
At Moonfleet Manor, you’re close to some of Dorset’s best beaches and family days out, with the coast right on your doorstep and plenty of space to slow the pace for a few days. Before heading out, families can also borrow buckets and spades or crabbing equipment from the hotel, making spontaneous seaside adventures even easier.
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If you’re looking for things to do in Dorset with kids this summer, these are some of our favourite family-friendly days out nearby:
- Fossil hunting along the Jurassic Coast
- Beach days in Weymouth
- Rock pooling at Kimmeridge Bay
- Crabbing in Weymouth Harbour
- Exploring Lyme Regis
- Coastal walks with sea views
- Family time back at Moonfleet Manor
1. Fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast is one of Dorset’s best-known landmarks, and exploring it with children turns a coastal walk into something much more exciting.
Head to Chesil Beach or Lyme Regis and search along the shoreline for fossils hidden amongst the stones. Even the smallest find can feel like treasure when you’re seven years old.
For many families, it’s one of those holiday moments children talk about long after they’ve gone home.
2. Beach days at Weymouth
Weymouth Beach is a classic Dorset family day out for good reason. The sandy beach stretches wide enough for games, sandcastles, and long afternoons by the water, while the shallow sea makes paddling easy for younger children.
Pick up fish and chips, stop for ice cream along the promenade, and settle in for a traditional seaside afternoon. Buckets and spades can be borrowed from Moonfleet Manor before you set off, so there’s even less to think about on the day.
3. Rock pooling at Kimmeridge Bay
At low tide, Kimmeridge Bay reveals a completely different side of the Dorset coastline. Rock pools filled with crabs, small fish, and sea creatures make it feel like one big outdoor classroom.
All you really need is a bucket, a net, and a bit of curiosity. It’s simple, easy, and a brilliant way to spend a morning by the sea.
4. Crabbing in Weymouth Harbour
Few seaside traditions beat an afternoon spent crabbing along Weymouth Harbour.
With a line, some bait, and a bucket at the ready, it quickly becomes surprisingly competitive. Children love the excitement of seeing what appears next from the water, while grown-ups tend to get just as involved.
If you haven’t packed your own kit, Moonfleet Manor has crabbing equipment available to borrow before you head out.
5. Coastal walks with big views
Some of Dorset’s best family days out are also the simplest.
There are plenty of walking routes along the coast, whether you want a short stroll or something a little longer. The views across Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast are worth slowing down for, especially on clear summer evenings.
6. Exploring Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis is well worth adding to your Dorset plans. From the historic Cobb to the small independent shops tucked along its streets, it’s the kind of seaside town that’s easy to explore at your own pace.
Stop for an ice cream by the harbour, browse the shops, or spend time along the beach hunting for fossils before heading back for dinner.
7. A Visit to Abbotsbury Swannery
For something slightly different, Abbotsbury Swannery makes a great family day out. Home to hundreds of nesting swans, it’s one of those places children tend to remember.
There’s plenty of open space to explore, along with walking trails and views across the Dorset countryside.
8. SEA LIFE Weymouth
SEA LIFE Weymouth is always a good option for mixed-weather days or when you want something easy to fill an afternoon.
Children can get close to sharks, turtles, penguins, and seals, while interactive exhibits keep younger visitors entertained throughout.
9. Time back at Moonfleet Manor
Back at Moonfleet Manor, there’s plenty to enjoy between days out.
The indoor pool is always popular after a day on the coast, while the grounds and play areas give children space to run around before dinner. For grown-ups, it’s somewhere you can properly settle in, whether that’s with a coffee overlooking the coast or a slower start to the morning while everyone else heads off to play.
It’s what makes family holidays in Dorset feel easy here. There’s enough to do, without needing every moment planned out.
10. Evenings by the Coast
One of the best parts of summer in Dorset is the feeling that the day doesn’t need to end too early.
After dinner, head back towards the coast for one last walk, watch the light change over the water, or simply enjoy the sea air before bed. Sometimes those quieter moments become the ones everyone remembers most.
Plan your Dorset summer at Moonfleet Manor
A family holiday in Dorset is about simple days done well. Time outside, plenty of fresh air, and enough space for everyone to settle into the holiday.
If you’re looking for a family hotel in Dorset with easy access to the Jurassic Coast, beaches, and family-friendly days out, Moonfleet Manor is a great place to start.