Share:

May Half Term in Dorset 2022

The summer is getting warmer and there is more and more to do for families in Dorset.  Check out our details below of things to do this May half term and beyond.

Don’t forget that you can also see our frequently updated general listings here

 

 

MEMORIES MADE IN WONDERLAND

Are you ready for a Party in the Theme Park? Half term happiness awaits you at Adventure Wonderland!

There is so much to enjoy this half term (28th May to 5th June 2022) including all your favourite rides and attractions! Make a splash on Jungle Falls log flume or ride the waves of the Ghostly Galleon. Fly high on the Flying Elephants and get in a spin on the Turbo Teacups! Plus NEW for 2022 is the ‘Buccaneers Bouncer!’ and ‘The Caterpillar’s Sensory Garden’.

Your ticket also includes ‘Wild Thing!’ the huge indoor play centre, ‘Alice at the Movies’ crazy golf, Shetland World animal area and the Alice in Wonderland Maze! Take your seats for showtime in The Theatre with daily performances of ‘Wonderland High’.

Jubilee joy fills the park between 2nd and 5th June! The celebrations include a Jubilee special ‘Dance with the Stars’ show plus games and competitions with Adventure Wonderland’s resident superstars. Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and Mr Rabbit will be hosting a very special Jubilee Tea Party in the Theme Park where you can bring your own picnic or pick up a selection of tasty treats from the cafe.

You can also join the Jubilee Treasure Hunt for your chance to WIN a return visit for all the family!

If that’s not enough, Hey Duggee will be visiting Adventure Wonderland on Wednesday 1st June and making appearances throughout the day. Early booking is highly recommended for this fantastic all-inclusive character day event.

Book your adventure now! Check the website for all the info. Visit www.adventurewonderland.co.uk

 

Wimborne Model Town

Open daily until October 30th with no booking required, Wimborne Model Town is celebrating seven decades of family fun.  For Whitsun Half Term there’s a special Creature Quiz with Critter Clues to be found around this fascinating diorama of 1950s Wimborne in 1/10 scale, with over 100 miniature shops and businesses surrounded by NGS listed gardens.   A 70th anniversary treat is the developing new Model of the Model Town found next to the iconic Minster church where the Quarter Jack chimes every fifteen minutes.  How about Crazy Golf for a small extra charge on the recently extended course?

Younger visitors will love the Wendy Street play area.  Go and meet the Wareham Bears in their new home while train drivers of all ages can enjoy the Model Railway.  The Life Before Lego exhibition tells the history of building toys complete with cars, trains and road layouts from yesteryear.   Beryl Dade’s Dolls’ Houses each have a story to tell, while the 1950s school area is a lesson from the past.  The Tea Room offers hot and cold drinks, cakes, light lunches, teas and ice cream with plenty of souvenirs and gifts available in the shop.

Find out more at www.wimborne-modeltown.com    

 

 

May half term at Jubilee Celebrations at The Tank Museum

You're royally invited to Jubilee Celebrations at The Tank Museum this May Half Term!

Enjoy a week's worth of Platinum Jubilee activities - from ceremonial splendour and pageantry trying on actual military uniforms worn on past parades to getting up close and personal with Coronation Memorabilia, plus make your own bunting and flags.

If all of that isn't enough, kids can also let off steam in our outdoor play area and soft play. Plus, free family trails to keep them absorbed with teasers, puzzles, and Tanks in Action!

Find out more and book in advance at www.tankmuseum.o

 

 

Farmer Palmer’s - “If you can imagine a family farm park utopia, then this is it!”

“Absolutely everything has been thought about from the child’s point of view as a priority, meaning fun, fun, fun all the way, followed closely with parent - in my case grandparent - peace of mind and ease of use.

Farmer Palmer’s caters for all size children up to about 8 years, equipment is well maintained, clean and you can see why children love it so much - it’s imaginative, practical, playful…there’s lots of opportunities to get close to the animals and there are handwash stands exactly where you want them, water play, sand, soft play, tractors, play houses, go carts (get pedalling parents as little kids can ride pillion!) and The World of Dinosaur Roar Discovery Trail!” Customer Review -Trip Advisor Feb 2022

Have your little ones discovered the Dinosaurs at Farmer Palmer’s yet? They are BIG, they are BRIGHT, they are COLOURFUL and there’s lots to learn about them too! Perfect for little palaeontologists! Why not pre-order an Activity Pack with your online tickets?

There’s so much to do at Farmer Palmer’s, whatever the weather! Midweek, weekends and school holidays – the children will be entertained and you can enjoy reconnecting with your inner child too!

The Hen House Restaurant will be open all day during your visit for brilliant breakfasts and delicious lunches! Dietary needs are catered for and there’s always a very tempting selection of yummy homemade cakes!

Farmer Palmer’s is the friendliest farm park in Dorset! The team are always happy to help, welcoming, knowledgeable; nothing is too much trouble!

Open every day, you and your family will experience the magic of nature, fresh air, adorable animals and imaginative play.

Pre-book your visits online for the best prices. Full details on opening times and prices can be found on the website; https://farmerpalmers.co.uk/. Book your tickets at https://bookings.farmerpalmers.co.uk/ , call 01202 622 022 or email shop@farmerpalmers.co.uk

 

Start your adventure at Hengistbury Head and Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centres

Visiting a nature reserve is healthy and rewarding for all the family. For a better, safer, and more enriching visit, begin your adventure at either Hengistbury Head or Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre (for Stour Valley Nature Reserve). Their team will advise you on what to spot on your visit, looking out for wildlife and listening out for nature’s noises as you go – they can help you find the best routes to make the most of your visit.

Find out more at www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk | www.visitstourvalley.co.uk

 

May Half Term at Rock Reef

Located on Bournemouth Pier, RockReef and PierZip is oven everyday from 28th May to 5th June for the half term.  The activity centre is suitable for all weathers and includes 28 Clip n' Climb fun, themed, indoor climbing walls providing varying degrees of exciting challenges suitable for all abilities and all ages from 4 to 94.  Other activities include a Vertical Slide drop, a 'Leap of Faith' jumping challenge, a HighLine high ropes aerial obstacle course and the Pier Cave which is a 65 linear metre indoor fun cave experience.

Outiside enjoy PierZip, the world's first pier-to-shore zip wire, with a 250 metre dual zip line.

Check availability and book online for discounts and free pier entry - www.rockreef.co.uk/

New local book: Mel & Pip & The Magic Snow Globe: Exploring Thoughts and Feelings – by local author and psychotherapist, Beverley Davies.

A therapeutic and fun way for children to better understand themselves and their experiences, with interest and curiosity.

Throughout the book, Mel talks directly to her readers, exploring her thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, in 8 short stories.

Are you ready to find out what happens when there is a little bit of magic, a very clever cat, and a special snow globe?

Available to buy on Amazon for £8.99

For a chance to win your own copy, see our current edition

Find out more at www.facebook.com/mel&pipbooks or Instagram @melandpip103 and via

melandpipbooks@gmail.com/07402 354709

 

 

Family ticket options with Cineworld!

Be more childish with the Cineworld Family Ticket which enables adults to pay kids' prices and is valid for groups of four with up to two adults.  If you want to upgrade your experience to premium formats like IMAX or 4DZ, you simply pay the uplift on the Family Ticket price.  Online booking fees will apply

Find out more on the Cineworld website

 

Family Shows at Lighthouse Poole

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - 28th to 31st May - showing of the animated sequel

How Does This Politics Thing Work Then - 31st May - Join Tiernan and Tatton in this hilarious show jam=packed with interactive games, madcap presentations and more.

Ministry of Science Live - Science Saved the World! -1st June - Take a deep dive into the world of science and look at how science has shaped the world we live in 

Poole Britannia!

Our Queen’s glorious Platinum Jubilee deserves grand celebrations for Poole’s community, and visitors to the town to come together, create and celebrate!

The Power House in association with Lighthouse, Poole is commissioning four legacy art pieces exhibited from 24th June in Lighthouse’s Gallery. Hamworthy Primary and Longfleet Combined schools’ pupils, and Cornerstone Academy, Lytchett Minster School, and St Edward’s School art students are working with local artists and one from Bristol to create stunning artworks. 

You are invited to The Power House Pop-Ups in Poole Town over the Jubilee weekend, and to their Lighthouse Jubilee Celebration Day on 25th June for a programme of interactive and creative arts activities. 

Join Ali Sharpe’s “Mass’d Sing” to learn her Jubilee Song, or CoCreate’s community dance workshops, while Hamworthy Primary Schools perform their creative writing and drama pieces.  And more!

Check out their website and socials for more information.

 Find out more at www.thepowerhousepoole.org  or contact jubilee@thepowerhousepoole.org

 

Have a Royally Good Time at Castlepoint Shopping

Free Jubilee family event with a red Routemaster bus, face painting, balloon modelling, cupcake decorating, free teacup ride, royal trail, spin to win wheel and more.

Find out more at the Castlepoint Shopping website

 

PGL Adventure Holidays

Best known for school group breaks since 1957, PGL are here to let you in on a secret – they offer Family Adventure Holidays and Kids Adventure Holidays too!

Family Adventure Holidays

Whether you’re planning a break for just you and the kids, looking to join with friends or solo parenting, PGL is the choice for you! Take part in family activities as a group by day, then discover free-time activities and sociable evenings together with other families by night. Everything you need is included, so there is nothing left to do but have fun!

Kids Adventure Holidays

Let your children fly solo and discover their maverick mode on a residential kids adventure holiday this May half term, summer or October half term! PGL’s experienced on-site teams look after their every need and supply them with an action-packed schedule to keep even the most energetic busy! They even offer ‘first timer’ and ‘introductory’ breaks – where all the children are in the same boat, having not travelled with PGL before.

Enter their competition, find out more and book online for May half term, Summer and October today at pgl.co.uk/PTWIN.