Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
SEND facilities for families
Welcome to Our Guide to SEND-Friendly Facilities and Attractions in Dorset
Dorset is a beautiful county with so much to offer, and we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy its attractions, regardless of additional needs or disabilities. This guide is designed to highlight SEND-friendly (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) facilities and attractions across Dorset, ensuring that families can make the most of their visit in a supportive and accessible environment.
From accessible playgrounds and sensory-friendly spaces to attractions offering extra support and tailored experiences, Dorset is home to a wide range of places that are dedicated to providing inclusive experiences for children, parents, and carers. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, animal encounters, or cultural activities, you’ll find options here that welcome everyone with open arms.
Explore our recommendations and find the perfect spots for a memorable and stress-free family day out in Dorset.
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**Please note that this website is frequently updated and changed as more information is gathered, so don't forget to bookmark for updates. We try our hardest to keep the details as accurate as possible, but it may be possible that facilities change over time, so we always recommend that you double-check with the venue before you make a journey. Also, it is not necessarily possible for us to include all of the accessibility facilities available at each location due to space, so we always advise that you visit the websites of your chosen location for a full overview.
Where possible, the links below go straight to the Accessibility pages and information that is available online for each location**
Updated: 13/5/2025
Dorset Council SEND Dorset local offer - find out about help available for children and young people (from birth to 25) who have SEND
SEND Support - BCP Council- find out about support available in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area
Other SEND Support for families
Dorset SENDIASS provides accessible information, advice and support to children and young people up to the age of 25 with SEND in the Dorset area
Dorset Parent Council (DPCC) is an independent organisation supporting Parent Carers in Dorset
Parent Carers Together (BCP Parent Carer Council) is an independent organisation supporting Parent Carers in BCP
SENDiass4BCP provide SEND information, advice and support services for people in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area
Businesses, attractions and other locations
Across Dorset
The Visit Dorset website has details of accessibility across the county, including accommodation, mobility hire companies, accessible toilets and accessible beaches as well as autism friendly days out
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is an accessible attraction, with disabled-friendly features such as parking, a wheelchair and mobility vehicle route. See the attached link for their accessibility page
Abbotsbury Swannery offer parking for disabled badge holders and reduced priced tickets that can be purchased at the ticket office on the day or online for disabled adults and children as well as carers. The two main walks are gravelled paths, and there are three manual wheelchairs onside that can be borrowed, subject to availability
Discovery Village in Christchurch offer SEND Play role-play sessions to offer children and families the additional time, space and attention they deserve and to ensure a full immersive experience in their role-play village. The Centre has been designed to be fully accessible to everyone who has a special educational need or disability. Throughout the SEND play sessions, their lively village characters encourage active participation from children and adults. See the website for details of how to book a session
The Dorset Museum and Art Gallery in Dorchester have a range of resources and facilities to support your visit and help make it as accessible and enjoyable as possible. Step-free access is available to most areas and seating is available in all galleries. Large print guides for various exhibits are available to download and fixed induction hoops and a hearing loop are integrated. Touch objects can be found in the Natural Dorset, Hardy's Dorset, and People's Dorset galleries, and each one has a Braille caption. All of the films in the main galleries have subtitle,s and some include British Sign Language. Accessible events such as quiet mornings and evening, BSL tours, touch tours and audio-described tours. In addition, if you have a particular request for a type of accessible tour or event, please contact them in advance, and they will be happy to discuss this with you.
Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve were awarded eh Visit England Gold for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism in 2020. Their website contains detailed accessibility information, and they also offer a British Sign Language Video of the Clipptop Trail to visitors, available from the Durlston Castle reception on a tablet or via YouTube. Visual Stories and audio guiding are available. WTO's Tramper off-road mobility buggies are available to help visitors explore the park along four different routes
The Museum of East Dorset have undergone a recent major renovation project, which has enabled them to be more accessible than ever before.
Moors Valley work hard to friendly, accessible environment for all visitors and the widest possible access to their buildings, facilities, trails and events. See the website for details of accessible parking and routes around the site, including an accessibility map
Lemur Landings Children's Entertainment Centre in Poole has full wheelchair access throughout the venue and can cater for people with individual access requirements. Their detailed accessibility guide linked above has images of different areas and the provisions that they can offer
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre believe that their site should be accessible to all and is continually looking for new ways to improve their facilities. Their website contains a downloadable accessibility statement, which provides a full guide to what you can expect when visiting Monkey World. Wheelchairs and motorised scooters can be hired from local company Rapid Mobility , who can deliver them to the park Monday to Saturday. Wheelchair swings are available at their two main play areas, and there are also two birds nest swings in the play areas. Written keeper talks are available throughout the site, and there are also 3 sensory stations for visually impaired visitors
National Trust in Dorset locations have varying accessibility options
- Brownsea Island are working hard to ensure Brownsea Island is as accessible as possible from their all-terrain manual wheelchair to their Seahorse Landing Craft. New for the 2025 season, they are offering British Sign Language interpretation with a self-guided tour that is available to everyone with a mobile and internet connection from reception. Sensory backpacks are also available to hire and are designed across two themes, woodland and beach, with activities using senses to explore nature.
- Corfe Castle offers a variety of ways to help make the site as accessible as possible, from a mobility scooter to walking poles and a changing places toilet. An Audio Tour where you can follow in the footsteps of eight characters of Corfe Castle by using your mobile device to link through to a website available at the ticket office. They also have four pairs of ear defenders for all ages to borrow as well as a visual map and access guide.
- At Kingston Lacy, there is blue Badge parking and mobility scooters are available for hire. The house is partly accessible, and a virtual tour is available, and garden paths are mainly gravel. Every Wednesday afternoon, visitors are invited to enjoy the tranquillity of the Kingston Lacy garden in a dedicated silent space. The website also contains an accessibility map, a visual guide, and you can find out about upcoming events for British Sign Language tours of the house or garden
- Studland Bay has mixed and uneven terrain throughout, but a number of accessibility facilities are available, including Accessible and Changing Places toilets and beach wheelchairs and all-terrain electric wheelchairs offering beach access,s which can be bookable for free hire.
Nothe Fort has accessible routes around the site as well as a hearing loop and ear defenders. They also offer Quiet Opening Days during the school holidays for families and individuals who require a quieter and calmer environment on selected dates - see the website for details
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum have details of accessibility across the site on their website, including audio guides, hearing loops and wheelchair access.
The Tank Museum is committed to a policy of accessibility, aiming to provide excellent access in and around its site. Their accessibility pages linked previously have a lot of detail of their provisions, but facilities include Deaf, Hard of Hearing and BSL Tours, provision for Assistance Dogs, Sensory Backpacks including ear defenders and Quiet Mornings on selected dates during which they switch off sound and smell effects which could trigger sensory overload.
Upton Country Park has a network of wide, hard-surfaced wheel-friendly footpaths through much of the Country Park as well as accessible toilets. For further detailed information, visit the website for the Visual Accessibility Guide.