Family Holidays Dorset Family Attractions Monkey World Dorset

Dorset Monkey World

If you're looking for more family friendly attractions in East Dorset, try Monkey World. Just outside Wareham, to the north, Monkey World is a huge monkey sanctuary covering 65 acres. It was set up in 1987 by Jim and Alison Cronin to save abused chimps. The majority of these were used in Spanish seaside resorts that were not only badly treated and made to pose for photographs, but were often illegally smuggled from Asia and Africa. Behind the scenes the rescued monkeys are rehabilitated and brought back to good health.

Today there are 15 species within the sanctuary numbering 150 primates. They have access to outdoor enclosures where there is a variety of playthings to keep them amused. During your visit you can see chimpanzees, orangutans, ring tail lemurs and various monkey species. There are picnic areas, a cafe and gift shop on site so plenty to keep you occupied for the day. There's also an adventure play area for the kids.

The site is fully accessible for wheelchairs and there are motorised scooters, dual-controlled and manual wheelchairs available at the centre.

If after your visit you're particularly taken with any of the residents you can Adopt-a-Primate and help support the good work being done at the sanctuary. Check the weblink right for more information. Monkey World, Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6HH. Tel: 01929 462537. Fax: 01929 405414. Email: apes@monkeyworld.org

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Dorchester's Family Museums

For no apparent reason Dorchester has attractions incorporating some of the world's wonders such as Tutankhamun's tomb and the Terracotta Soldiers. The Tutankhamun Exhibition recreates Tutankhamun's tomb and some of the treasures that were found there. The exhibition gives you a chance to see what the artefacts looked like as many of the originals are kept in Egypt and are not likely to be seen outside that country for fear of damage. Exhibits have been faithfully copied from the originals, so much so that some have been used in television programmes around the world. The museum is open all year round except around Christmas day from 9.30am-5.30pm. It closes at 5pm during Nov-Mar. The Tutankhamun Exhibition, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1UW. Tel: 01305 269571. Fax: 01305 268885.

The Terracotta Warriors Museum is just down the road at 25 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1UW. Tel: 01305 269741. Fax: 01305 268885. The exhibition recreates the Terracotta soldiers created by China's first Emperor who also built China's Great Wall. Exhibits also include the costumes and armour the soldiers would have worn. The museum is open all year round except Sundays and 24-26 December.

The Dinosaur Museum takes a different look at the legacy of Dorset's Jurassic Coast. It is totally dedicated to dinosaurs and explains their lives through fossils, computer imaging and life-size reconstructions as well as a complete dinosaur skeleton. The Dinsosaur Museum is open daily all year round, including Sundays 9.30am-5.30pm (10am-4.30pm from November-March). Closed 24-26 December inclusive. The Dinosaur Museum Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EW. Tel: 01305 269880. Fax: 01305 268885.

For something a bit more cuddly, try The Teddy Bear Museum. Here you can see a collection of all sorts of teddy bears including antique bears, people sized bears and you can visit the shop for Steiff bears, Winnie the Pooh and Paddington. The museum is open every day all year round except Christmas day and Boxing day. You can find the Teddy Bear Museum on Eastgate, corner of High East Street & Salisbury Street, Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 1JU. Tel: 01305 266040.

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Family Entertainment Bournemouth

Bournemouth is well used to keeping the crowds entertained. The beach itself with its kiosks, bouncy castles and games is great when its sunny, but when you want something for those rainy days or just something for a change there's a wide range of tourist attractions for all ages, children and adults alike.

There's a great choice of indoor and outdoor attractions from a balloon ride high above the town to a bit of culture in the form of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery, Museum and Gardens. The Bournemouth Oceanarium down on the seafront is great if you want a taste of underwater wildlife from all over the world.

Around Bournemouth are several family attractions which are great when you want a change from the seaside attractions. Adventure Wonderland and Snowtrax provide a huge range of amusements for all the family. Adventure Wonderland is specifically geared to families with young children and has a plethora of rides and games that'll make it hard to tear them away! Snowtrax is a ski and snowboarding centre where the mist-lubricated surface means you can use it all year round.

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Weymouth Family Holidays Weymouth Beach

Weymouth is a traditional seaside resort that has moved with the times to offer modern British seaside family holidays. Weymouth became a fashionable summer holiday destination after King George III holidayed here several times between 1789 and 1805. Since then the town has developed through the centuries which you can see in the Georgian seafront that overlooks Weymouth Bay.

Weymouth is an excellent summer family holiday destination. The fine sandy beach that runs in an arc alongside the Esplanade is an excellent family-friendly beach. You'll find plenty of traditional entertainment in the form of donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows as well as fun activities like trampolines, crazy golf and pedaloes to keep the family occupied. You can also hire deckchairs or sunbeds along the beach.

For another leisurely way to catch the views of Weymouth Bay try the Seafront Land Train - a miniature train that's great for all the family and includes facilities for wheelchairs. It runs from the Tourist Information Centre between Easter and end of September.

During the summer the beach is supervised by lifeguards and there is also a first aid post and lost children centre. There are several ramp access points to Weymouth Beach and there is also a beach wheelchair available for loan from the Control Centre on tel: 01305 838511.

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Swanage Tourist Information Purbeck Beaches

Swanage is on the far south east coast of the Isle of Purbeck. It's a fun family seaside resort bordered by stunning coastline backed by the Purbeck Hills - beautiful countryside great for walking.

Swanage itself was originally a small fishing port until the Victorians descended and turned it into a fashionable seaside resort. Today it is a relaxed family-friendly seaside resort excellent for families. It has a three mile stretch of fine sandy beach with toilets with disabled and baby changing facilities, cafes and shops nearby. Swanage's Central beach is a Blue Flag and its waters are safe for bathing. You're also only a stone's throw from the main town with its shops and banks. Views from the beach looking north over to Old Harry Rocks are beautiful.

Watersports including sailing, diving and windsurfing are popular in Swanage and you can hire boats, canoes and pedalos from the beach. Swanage Pier is popular for wreck diving and angling.

Just across the road from the beach is Swanage's own Tourist Information Centre. You can pick up helpful leaflets all about Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck including heritage and countryside walks. Swanage Tourist Information Centre, Shore Road, Swanage BH19 1LB. Tel: 0870 4420680. Fax: 01929 423423.

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Swanage Railway Timetable

The Swanage Railway is a restored standard gauge steam railway that runs along six miles from Swanage on the coast through the Purbeck countryside to Corfe Castle. The ultimate aim of the Swanage Railway Trust is to restore the rail link up to Wareham where it could connect with main line trains.

The Swanage Railway provides a useful link through Purbeck taking you through some of Dorset's most beautiful scenery and to tourist attractions like Corfe Castle, helping you avoid the summer traffic. You can park your car at the large car park next to the Railway Station in Swanage then take the trip through to Corfe Castle for a good day out.

Special events are organised throughout the year including Santa Specials, themed weekends, Steam Galas and there are on train dining services so you can book a meal on the specially adapted Wessex Belle or The Dorsetman for a different night out.

Check the weblink right for more information. Reservations, Swanage Railway Co Ltd, Station House, Swanage, BH19 1HB. Tel: 01929 425800 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).

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Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

Alongside the shingle beach at Charmouth is the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. At the Centre you can find out all about fossils and fossil hunting as well as the local coastal and marine wildlife. Interactive computers, displays and films are available as well as wardens who are on hand to answer queries.

The wardens also organise regular guided fossil hunting expeditions, rockpooling walks and countryside and marine discovery activities. The Centre promotes the sustainable collection of fossils and it's worth checking out the advice on fossil collecting on their website before setting out.

There is a car park, toilets and cafe at the Centre and the shingle beach is beautiful for leisurely walks.

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6LL. Tel: 01297 560772. Email: info@charmouth.org

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Putlake Adventure Farm - Family Attractions Dorset

Putlake Adventure Farm is a family run farm where you can see rare breeds of farm animals and more exotic animals like chincillas, chipmunks and alpacas.

There are indoor and outdoor play areas, tampolines, you can take a tractor ride to see the views and there is also a cafe on site for a range of refreshments.

Putlake Farm, Langton Matravers, Swanage, Dorset BH19 3EU. Tel: 01929 422917. Fax: 01929 426897.

Click on the link right for more information and opening times.

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