Wet Weather Days Out in West Dorset

Wet Weather Days Out in West Dorset

Whatever the time of year the West Country is renown for rainy days, after all it is what keeps the countryside looking so green. Although it’s fair to say that the last couple of years we’ve been lucky with the weather during the summer.  The rest of the year we just have to expect wet weather days, or maybe I should call them welly days!

Finding indoor entertainment can be a bonus at any tine of year, even if it’s just for an hour. I have put my thinking cap on to come up with as many ideas in Dorset as possible with something here for all ages. 

This post covers wet weather days out in West Dorset from Lyme Regis and Bridport to Dorchester with dip into Somerset.

Lyme Regis

Town Mill – a traditional watermill that has been restored where you can watch corn being milled and enjoy a guide tour. See my review here.

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum has fantastic displays of fossils, re-created dinosaurs, natural history and a time gallery.

Lyme Regis Aquarium, set at the end of the Cobb, this small aquarium is brimming with local sea creatures, interesting presentations and historical exhibits. There’s the chance to get up close to different creatures and even hold a starfish.

Lyme Regis Museum

Lyme Regis Museum is a beautiful place to visit overlooking the sea. Displays showcase the amazing life story of Mary Anning, there’s a world class fossil collection and geology gallery. There are also displays covering the town’s colourful history and its remarkable literary connections, from Jane Austen and John Fowles to Tracey Chevalier.

The museum is family friendly with lots for children of all ages to see and do. Check online for special school holiday events such as arts and crafts workshops.

Also take a look at more things to do Lyme Regis.

Charmouth

You can spend a half an hour or so in the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. Take a look at the interactive displays, marvel at the fossils,  find out how to discover your own fossils on the beach and plan a fossil hunting session. 

The Centre has fossils on display including the incredible ichthyosaur that starred in the BBC documentary Attenborough and the Sea Dragon.

Vintage Quarter – The Alleyways
Explore antiques, bric and brac and vintage traders all under one roof in the Antiques Centre. A great place to pass the time all located behind the bus station area of Bridport. 

Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute is an historic building in East Street has a cavernous cafe and often holds small exhibitions as well. 

The Electric Palace is a lovely old art deco theatre and along with the more modern Bridport Arts Centre,  shows films, hosts comedy performances, music and theatre.  

Palmers Brewery – wander around the shop of this traditional local brewery or book a guided tour to see behind the scenes and the history of brewing in Bridport. Tours run daily at 11am, Monday to Friday from Easter to October and last two hours (min age 13 years). 

If you are feeling a bit more energetic then try Rockburn, an indoor bouldering centre set just off the centre of Bridport or Seals Cove Adventure Centre which has a climbing wall (10 meters with 80 routes) and soft play.

Check in advance for session times and to book.

Dorchester

Shire Hall  – An historic Old Courthouse that has been restored.

Explore the cells and find out what it was like to be held prisoner at Dorchester’s Shire Hall. Discover the stories of children and adults who were tried there. Children can be the tour guide for your family, and even become a journalist for one of the trials.  Explore the digital interactive quizzes and games, try on the hats, wigs and magistrates’ gowns, and discover many more surprises. Adults £9.50 Children £5

Dorset Museum -this beautiful museum has been recently refurbished and holds some of Britain’s most significant archaeological finds, natural history  and also overs textiles, geology, writers and artists. There is also a cafe and trails and activities for children.

Dorchester Museums

 There are lots of museums in Dorchester, surely something for all interests. 

The Dinosaur Museum
The Mummies Exhibition  – Ancient Egypt
The Teddy Bear Museum
The Terracotta Warrior Museum
The Tutankhamun Exhibition

The Bones Museum

The Keep Military Museum – learn about the formation of regiments, military campaigns and the history of Dorset.

Find links to all of these here – Dorchester Museums  

Dorchester Curiosity Centre –  a huge antiques and vintage centre set in an old bus depot warehouse.

Poole and Wareham

The Tank Museum between Dorchester and Wareham is another great day out for history fans or lovers of military equipment. With many displays undercover this is a good wet weather option.

Dorset Water Park – if it’s wet and the adventurous among you don’t mind getting even wetter then head for this outdoor water park. With wipe out style obstacles, huge inflatables as well as a mud trail assault course this is not everyone idea of fun! I reckon my teens would love it though.

Spalshdown in Poole –  you may get wet but you will stay clean at this water park.

Weymouth

Weymouth Sealife Centre is a popular visitor attraction. With a mixture of indoor and outdoor exhibits it’s a good place to dodge the showers. Click on the link below for the best price in online tickets (AD).

Bristol

If you are happy to travel a bit further then there are lots of great days out in Bristol. We the Curious is really good followed by a blow out lunch at Zsa Zsa Bazaar. Find out about this and more ideas at Kiddy Charts blog

Work In Progress

Save this for your rainy days and take a look at the rainy days in Devon post.

Let me know if you have more ideas.

This post has been supported by Cherries Ice Cream Parlour in West Bay