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Unusual Things to do in Dorset

Our county is well known and loved for its sandy beaches, dramatic Jurassic coastline and tourist attractions but when it comes to unusual things to do in Dorset, you’re spoilt for choice.

Take a step away from the path well travelled and explore these fun and fascinating things to do in Dorset.

Regardless of whether you are visiting the area on your holidays or have lived in the area for years, we’ve compiled a selection of unusual things to do across the county. 

And, do not worry about car parks or petrol prices - adventure out with MoreBus for just £2 per single ticket! This is the perfect cost-effective family travel! And take advantage of their routes, spanning Lulworth Cove, to Studland, to Bournemouth, to Christchurch.

Wimborne

museum east dorset

Museum of East Dorset

About: Discover fascinating stories from across the centuries at the Museum of East Dorset. Step back in time and explore the many themed exhibitions and collections ranging from Roman wall painting to archaeological artefacts. They have a programme of events throughout the year with unique activities to take part in such as craft afternoons and Mosaic workshops.  

Website: https://museumofeastdorset.co.uk   

Address: 23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1HR 

Phone: 01202 882533  

Price: £8 adults, £4 children  

Swanage

dancing ledge

The Dancing Ledge

About: If you’re a fan of hiking, why not head to the picturesque spot of Dancing Ledge, located just under the cliffs near the villages of Worth Matravers and Langton Matravers in Purbeck? This truly beautiful landmark is a natural shelf of flat rock which juts out into the sea and has a rich smuggling history due to its prime location.  

Website: https://www.swanage.co.uk/dancing-ledge/  

Address: The easiest way to get there is to park at the National Trust Spyway car park in Langton Matravers (SatNav BH19 3HG) 

Phone: N/A 

Price: FREE  

Lyme Regis

dinosaurland

Dinsosaurland Fossil Museum

About: Fascinated about fossils? Dinosaurland in Lyme Regis has a enviable collection of 16,000 specimens on display in their museum. Included in the vast collection are local Jurassic marine fossils, with in-depth explanations of what they are, where they were found and what they mean. The museum, which is advertised as being suitable for children aged 5 to 85, also shows you where to go to hunt for your own fossils.  

Website: https://www.dinosaurland.co.uk/the-museum/  

Address: Coombe Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3PY  

Phone: 01297 443541  

Price: £6 adults, £5 children  

Wareham

blue pool

The Blue Pool

About: The Blue Pool Nature Reserve is part of the Furzebrook Estate and has a fascinating history spanning nearly 400 years. The reserve is unique with its colour changing waters (caused by light diffracting from tiny particles of clay in the water) and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, well worth a visit!  

Website: https://bluepooltearooms.co.uk     

Address: Furzebrook Rd, Nr Wareham, Dorset BH20 5AR  

Phone: 01929 558150  

Price: £7.50 adults, £3.75 children

Dorchester

roman townhouse

Roman Townhouse

About: The Roman Town House in Dorchester is the only fully exposed Roman Town House in England, making it a truly unique and interesting place to visit. The grounds are free to explore, with tours being offered for a small fee. Learn all about life in the town house during Roman times and look at the historic mosaics.  

Website: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/romantownhouse/  

Address: County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ 

Phone: 01305 262735  

Price: FREE  

alpaca

Alpaca Walks

About: A truly unique activity, Dorset Alpaca Walking offers picturesque strolls through the Dorset countryside, bond with the animals whilst learning all about the alpacas. Located in a truly beautiful area of the county, the session finishes with the chance to feed the alpacas their favourite treats.  

Websitehttps://dorsetalpacawalking.co.uk  

Address: Court Barn, Frampton, Park, Dorchester, DT2 9NH  

Phone: 077843 79302    

Price: £25 per person (£15 per person to join without walking alpaca, 12+ to walk alpaca)

Wareham

ghost village

Ghost Village, Tyneham

About: Tucked away on the Jurassic Coast is the fascinating lost village of Tyneham. Take a walk along the ruined houses and explore the empty shells of the cottages that time forgot. The old school, church and the barn and outbuildings of Tynhema Farm have been restored for visitors to look around. Once you’ve finished you’re walk into the past, don’t forget to take a stroll along to the beach at Worbarrow Bay (just over a mile away), with stunning views and lots of climbs, if you’re feeling energetic!  

Websitehttps://visitwareham.com/activity/tyneham-ghost-village/  

Address: Tyneham near Creech, Wareham 

Phone: N/A 

Price: FREE

Dorchester

tout

Tout Quarry Sculpture Park, Portland

About: The abandoned Tout Quarry in Portland, Dorset boasts a series of carvings, etched into the stone, creating a living sculpture garden amongst the historical quarry (producing stone from around 1750 until the 1980s). Play hide and seek amongst the labyrinth of sculptures - there are around 70 to discover.  

Website: https://learningstone.org/tout-quarry-sculpture-park-nature-reserve/  

Address: Tout Quarry, Portland, Dorchester, DT5 

Phone: N/A 

Price: FREE 

Tolpuddle

tolpuddle

Tolpuddle Martyrs, Poole

About: Celebrating the Tolpuddle Martyrs of the 1830s, who fought pay cuts with a trade union, the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum is worth a visit. Telling the harrowing tale of the arrest, trial and punishment of the martyrs, which led to the foundation of our modern day trade unionism, access to the museum is free with a trail around the village of Tolpuddle which can be accessed via a hireable audio-visual guide or a fold-out paper trail from the shop. 

Website: https://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk  

Address: Dorchester Road, Tolpuddle, Dorset, DT2 7EH 

Phone: 01305 848237 

Price: FREE 

Weymouth

Northe Fort

Northe Fort

About: Nothe Fort in Weymouth has plenty to keep you occupied during your visit from a maze of underground tunnels and the Victorian Gun Deck to the secret Nuclear underground bunker. Enjoy stunning 360 degree views of the Jurassic Coast, with fun interactive trails for the whole family and a series of educational events, open air theatre and concerts held throughout the year.  

Website: https://www.nothefort.org.uk  

Address: Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UF 

Phone: 01305 766626 

Price: £9.95 Adults, £4.50 Children 

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