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Top 20 ideas for free days out in Dorset
Dorset is full of adventures that won’t cost a penny. We're talking jaw-dropping coastlines, mysterious giants carved into hillsides, and Roman ruins that make history come alive.
From fossil hunting on world-famous beaches to wandering through sculpture parks that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about art, these free things to do in Dorset are proper gems.
Pack a picnic, grab your walking boots (and maybe a thermos of something stronger), and get ready to discover why this county is stuffed with budget-friendly brilliance for your latest Dorset holiday.
Key takeaways
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Discover free things to do in Dorset – from fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast to exploring Roman ruins and medieval abbeys.
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Top family-friendly days out in Dorset include paddling pools, play parks, and animal encounters that won’t cost a penny.
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Explore Dorset’s iconic landmarks like Durdle Door, Old Harry Rocks, and the Cerne Abbas Giant – all free to visit.
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Enjoy outdoor adventures in Dorset with scenic walking trails, nature reserves, and clifftop views perfect for walkers and wildlife lovers.
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Budget-friendly Dorset holidays are easy with free attractions across the coast and countryside.
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Stay at Dorset holiday parks with Away Resorts for easy access to the best free days out, beaches, and hidden gems.
Sherborne Abbey
Step into 1,300 years of history at this magnificent medieval masterpiece, known as the Cathedral of Dorset. The soaring vaulted ceilings and intricate stone carvings are genuinely breathtaking, plus you can join free guided tours to hear about Saxon kings and the world's heaviest peal of eight bells (which probably woke up half of medieval Dorset).
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Cerne Abbas Giant
This 180ft chalk figure, wielding a club, is one of Britain's most famous (and cheeky) landmarks. Dating back to Saxon times, the giant needs to be seen to be believed. Take the rural walking routes for the best views, then reward yourself with a pint in the village below.
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Tout Quarry Sculpture Park
What happens when artists get loose in an abandoned limestone quarry? Magic, that's what. This outdoor gallery on the Isle of Portland showcases sculptures carved directly into the rock face, all set against stunning sea views. It's art meets nature at its most spectacular (and thankfully, no admission fees or gift shop guilt trips).
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Tyneham Village
Frozen in time since 1943, this evacuated wartime village offers a haunting glimpse into Dorset's past. Wander through the deserted streets, read the information boards, then take the mile-long walk to Worbarrow Bay for some of the most dramatic coastal scenery you'll ever see.
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North Dorset Trailway
Follow the old Somerset and Dorset railway line through the heart of rural Dorset. This traffic-free path is perfect for gentle walks or cycles, with plenty of nature reserves and picnic spots along the way. Pop into Sturminster Newton Mill if you fancy a countryside pit stop.
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Old Harry Rocks
These iconic chalk sea stacks jutting out into the English Channel are Dorset's answer to the white cliffs of Dover. The clifftop walk from Studland offers incredible views across to Bournemouth, and there's something deeply satisfying about watching waves crash against these ancient sentries.
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Roman Town House, Dorchester
The only complete Roman townhouse visible in Britain sits right in Dorchester's heart. Dating from the 4th century AD, it's a fascinating glimpse into how the other half lived back when togas were trendy. Pop into town afterwards for a Thomas Hardy pilgrimage.
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Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove
Parking might cost a few quid if you’re coming by car, but walking between these two natural wonders is completely free and utterly spectacular. The limestone arch at Durdle Door is Instagram gold, while Lulworth Cove's perfectly curved bay has been wowing visitors for centuries. Worth every step.
Visit Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
RSPB Weymouth Wetlands
Right in Weymouth's centre, these unlikely urban nature reserves are teeming with wildlife. Radipole Lake hosts everything from kingfishers to otters, while Lodmoor's reedbeds attract rare birds like bearded reedlings. Bring binoculars and patience: you'll be amazed at what's hiding in plain sight.
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Wild Chesil Centre
Perched on the world-famous Chesil Beach, this Dorset Wildlife Trust centre offers brilliant insights into local wildlife through free events and exhibitions. The views south to Portland's dramatic cliffs are spectacular, and you can walk the stone beach or follow the causeway alongside Portland Harbour.
Find out moreFree things to do in Dorset for families
Got little ones in tow? Dorset's brilliant at keeping kids happy without emptying your wallet. These things to do in Dorset for families prove you don’t need deep pockets for big adventures.
Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Garden
Currently offering free admission, this Dorchester gem combines gorgeous gardens with friendly farm animals. Kids love the outdoor play area and indoor play barn, while adults looking for things to do in Dorset can appreciate the landscaped grounds. Sheep, goats, ponies, and guinea pigs provide endless entertainment.
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Dorset’s beautiful beaches
Pack the buckets and spades: Dorset's coastline offers endless free fun for families. Bournemouth and Weymouth provide sandy stretches with lifeguards, while Studland and Swanage offer quieter alternatives. Bonus points for Sandbanks and Alum Chine, which throw in play parks too.
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Hamworthy Park
This waterside park in Poole hits the jackpot for families: sandy beach, large shallow paddling pool, brilliant play areas, and harbour views. Kids can safely splash about while parents enjoy the scenery. Free street parking nearby makes it even more budget-friendly.
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The Great Field at Poundbury
Dorchester's family-friendly hotspot boasts an incredible adventure playground with climbing walls, tunnel slides, and water play features. The mile-long track around the field is perfect for bikes and scooters, while the sports pitches keep older kids entertained. Seriously impressive stuff.
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Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
This charity-run centre showcases amazing fossil collections and teaches kids how to become fossil hunters on the famous beach below. Entry is free (but donations are appreciated), and the regular fossil walks and activities make it educational without being boring. Jurassic Coast magic at its finest.
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Church Knowle Rehoming & Visitor Centre
Set in 35 acres of Purbeck countryside, this rescue centre (part of Margaret Green Animal Rescue) welcomes visitors to meet cats, horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and ducks. No entry fee is required; just bring your animal-loving kids and maybe a donation for the brilliant work they do.
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Crabbing adventures
Grab a bucket, some bait, and a line: Dorset's harbours and piers offer fantastic crabbing opportunities. Poole Quay, Weymouth Harbour, West Bay, and Swanage are all hotspots where kids can spend hours trying to tempt crabs into their nets. Simple pleasures at their best (and surprisingly addictive for parents too).
Redhill Park paddling pool
Bournemouth's free outdoor paddling pool opens during the summer months, providing refreshing relief for hot little bodies. The surrounding park offers play areas and plenty of green space for picnics. Free parking on nearby roads makes this a real budget winner.
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Poole Park
This sprawling park offers something for everyone: a boating lake, two play areas, fitness trails, and the famous miniature railway. Three free car parks make access easy, and the central location means you can easily walk to Poole's historic quay for harbour views and more adventures.
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Spyway Dinosaur Footprints
Hidden in the Purbeck hills near Worth Matravers, these 145-million-year-old dinosaur footprints are a genuine prehistoric treasure. The short walk from the village via the Priest's Way trail makes them accessible for families, and kids love the idea of following in actual dinosaur footsteps (just try explaining that these are older than their great-great-great…well, you get the idea).
Find out moreWhy Away Resorts is perfect for your next Dorset holiday
After a day scrambling over Roman ruins or chasing crabs around Poole Quay, it’s only natural you'll want somewhere comfortable to put your feet up. That's where we come in.
Our Dorset holiday parks put you bang in the middle of all this free fun, meaning less driving and more discovering. These things to do in Dorset for free are practically on your doorstep, including RSPB reserves and Durdle Door's dramatic coastline.
Back at base camp, you'll find heated pools for post-beach warming up, entertainment venues for rainy day backup plans, and accommodation that feels like home, just with more sunsets, less tidying, and way more reasons to take it easy. Our caravans and lodges come with everything sorted: proper beds, an equipped kitchen, and enough space to spread out after your adventures.Â
Plus, our friendly teams know Dorset inside out. Need directions to the best fossil hunting spots? Wondering which beaches have the gentlest waves for little ones? Or simply looking for more free things to do in Dorset with kids? Just ask: we love sharing our local secrets.