What's On in Dorset

Room On The Broom

Venue: Moors Valley

Website: www.forestryengland.uk/moors-valley-country-park

Interactive family trail with Room On The Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun

Spring New Life Clay Craft at Kingfisher Barn

Venue: Kingfisher Barn

Website: www.parksfoundation.org.uk

Learn about all nature's new life emerging in Britain and create a unique clay craft inspired by the change in the season -for age 5+

Brambly Hedge Interactive Story Trail

Venue: Abbotsbury Swannery

Website: www.abbotsburyswannery.co.uk

New interactive story trail for children and families

Daffodil Week

Venue: Mapperton

Website: www.mapperton.com

Enjoy daffodils, crocuses and primroses as the gardens open for 2026

Bunker Night Walk

Venue: Moors Valley

Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk

Rare chance for a night-time recreation of the Decoy bunker situated within Moors Valley

Home Education Session - Kingston Maurward

Venue: Kingston Maurward Animal Park

Website: www.animal-park.kmc.ac.uk

See the website for details

Home Education Day - Monkey World

Venue: Monkey World

Website: www.monkeyworld.org

Conservation and Rescue themed day - early booking recommended

Taylor Fever

Easter Adventures at Kingston Lacy

Venue: Kingston Lacy

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy

Put on your bunny ears, complete the ten amazing activities around the Easter adventure field before claiming your tasty prize

Easter Artisan Food and Craft Fayre

Venue: Barrington Centre

Website: www.classybird.co.uk

Free entry event with a selection of local stalls run by local people

Lambing Tours

Venue: Kingston Maurward Animal Park

Website: www.animal-park.kmc.ac.uk

See the website for details

Little Pickles Market

Venue: Littledown Centre

Website: www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk

Popular baby and children's nearly new sale

Vitality Bournemouth Bay Run

Venue: Bournemouth

Website: www.ticketsource.co.uk/events-avon-heath

See the website to book

Bonkers Bunnies: Children's Easter Trail

Venue: Durlston Country Park

Website: www.durlston.co.uk

Trail taking you on a trip aorund the park to learn about their bonkers bunnies

Fox and Cubs' dads and kids activity sessions

Venue: Upton Country Park

Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com

Find out more about the nature on your doorstep in this session designed for dads and kids to spend time together in the great outdoors (mums also welcome)

Dino Eggsplorers Trail

Venue: Upton Country Park

Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com

Spring adventure trail whre participants get to crack the case of the missing dinosaur eggs. Bouncy castle and face painting on selected days, as well as activities from Create Arts and Crafts and Rock...

Spring Steam Gala

Venue: Swanage Railway

Website: www.swanagerailway.co.uk

See the website for details

Wildlings at Alexandra Park

Venue: Alexandra Park

Website: www.parksfoundation.org.uk

Fun nature-based activities from crafts to species surveys

Allendale Spring Craft Fair

Venue: Allendale Centre

Website: www.theallendale.org

Range of quality craft items with free entry

Daffodil Clay Craft at Kingfisher Barn

Venue: Kingfisher Barn

Website: www.parksfoundation.org.uk

Create a daffodil clay decoration to take home and display

Easter Adventures at Corfe Castle

Venue: Corfe Castle

Website: www.nationalltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle

Make your way throughout the castle and find activities for the whole family

Easter Egg Hunt at Woodhouse Park

Venue: Woodhouse Park

Website: www.woodhousepark.org.uk

Follow the clues left by the Easter Bunny and embark on a fun-filled adventure. You can also book activities like clip and climb, pedal go-karts and laser tag

Easter Eggstravaganza

Venue: Nothe Fort

Website: www.nothefort.org.uk

Easter Egg Hunt, Bunny Bingo, Easter dress up, Easter croquet and parade ground funfair games, party games in the Family Room

Easter on the Estate

Venue: Kingston Maurward Animal Park

Website: www.animal-park.kmc.ac.uk

See the website for details

Flower Fairies ™: Enchantment by the Sea

Venue: Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

Website: www.russellcotes.com

Exhbition celebrating the timeless artistry of Cicely Mary Barker

Fox and Cubs' dads and kids activity session

Venue: Upton Country Park

Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com

Find out more about the nature on your doorstep in this session designed for dads and kids to spend time together in the great outdoors (mums also welcome)

Lambing Tours

Venue: Kingston Maurward Animal Park

Website: www.animal-park.kmc.ac.uk

See the website for details

Lewis-Manning Muddy Dog Dash

Venue: Upton Country Park

Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com

Dog-tastic obstacle course designed for all abilities

Studland's Easter Adventure in Nature

Venue: Studland Bay

Website: www.nationaltrust.org/visit/dorset/studland-bay

Nature themed Easter Trail exploring the dunes and woodland of Studland to learn aobut the wonderful wildlife with whom they share the place

Wild wetland bird walk

Venue: Brownsea Island

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island

Explore the fun, interactive trail to discover the amazing lives of brids with a tasty chocolate prize at the finish

Beatrix Potter Clay Modelling Workshp

Venue: Lyme Regis Museum

Website: www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

See the website for details

Pippa and the Golden Egg

Venue: Mapperton

Website: www.mapperton.com

Family-friendly garden trail filled with colour, clues and golden surprises

Easter at Farmer Palmers

Venue: Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Website: www.farmerpalmers.co.uk

Bandit Bunny Tractor Trailer Ride, Easter Egg Hunt and more

Bug hunting at Kingcombe Meadows

Venue: Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Explore the fascinating world of minibeasts in the meadows at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Rockpool Ramble: Easter Special

Venue: The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Special Easter rockpool ramble in Kimmeridge Bay to discover wildlife on the seashore

Seashore Safari: Fleet Lagoon

Venue: The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Guided walk at low tide to explore the amazing underwater world of the Fleet Lagoon - booking essential

Sherborne Castle and Gardens Easter Trail

Venue: Sherborne Castle and Gardens

Website: www.sherbornecastle.com

Follow the trail around the garden discoveirng Easter bunnies and solve clues along the way

Town History Walk - Lyme Regis

Venue: Meet Outside Lyme Regis Museum

Website: www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

Guided walk taking in Lyme Regis's colourful historic past intersposed with illustrated views of how much Lyme has been and continues to be used for film and television productions

Wild Wednesdays

Venue: Durlston Country Park

Website: www.durlston.co.uk

Have a go at painting, crafts and activities. Free to take part although donations are much appreciated

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Food Fair

Venue: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Website: www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk

Enjoy food and drinks from over 40 businesses

Easter Bunny Breakfast

Venue: Dobbies, Gillingham

Website: www.events.dobbies.com

Morning packed with yummy food, silly fun and a very special guest - the Easter Bunny

Easter Eggcase Hunt at Kimmeridge

Venue: The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Hunt for empty eggcases on the seashore at Kimmeridge

Easter Quiz

Venue: Wimborne Model Town and Gardens

Website: www.wimborne-modeltown.com

See the website for details

Easter Woodland Trail

Venue: Highcliffe Castle

Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Trail through the beautiful grounds and surrounding woodland solving clues and taking on challenges

Nature Pendant Drop In

Venue: Durlston Country Park

Website: www.durlston.co.uk

Drop into the Belvedere anytime between 11am to 2pm and create your very own nature pendant

Peter Rabbit: Easter Experience

Venue: Swanage Railway

Website: www.swanagerailway.co.uk

Charming springtime journey through the Isle of Purbeck, filled with storytelling, adventure and a very special Easter egg hunt

Stream Dipping at Kingcombe

Venue: Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Explore Kingcombe Meadows and the minibeasts living in the River Hooke

Easter Family Fun Day

Venue: Gullivers Farm Shop

Website: www.gulliversfarmshop.co.uk

Day packed with exciting with activities, tasty food and great entertainmentfor all ages with Easter games and crafts, an Easter scavenger hunt, tractor rides, live music and more

Kimmeridge Seashore Challenge

Venue: The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Complete a series of seashore challenges to achieve your award

Quiet Opening

Venue: Dorset Museum

Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org

Explore the Museum and take part in drop-in activities during the Quiet Openings

Bournemouth Aviation Museum Easter Party

Venue: Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Website: www.facebook.com/outalimitsdisco

See the website for details

Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet

Venue: Broad Street Lyme Regis

Website: www.lovelymeregis.co.uk

See the website for details

Ammonite 3D Modelling Workshop

Venue: Lyme Regis Museum

Website: www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

See the website for details

Blandford Animal Farm Easter Fun Day

Venue: Blandford Animal Sanctuary

Website: www.blandfordanimalsanctuary.com

Live sheep shearing, spinning demos and have a go yourself, meet and feed the animals, Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, gams and food stalls

Chesil Easter Eggcase Hunt

Venue: Chesil Beach

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Hunt for empty eggcases along the Beach

Easter Bunny Breakfast

Venue: Dobbies, Gillingham

Website: www.events.dobbies.com

Morning packed with yummy food, silly fun and a very special guest - the Easter Bunny

Easter Egg Rolling Event

Venue: The Great Field, Poundbury

Website: www.discoverdorchester.co.uk

Egg rolling competition with different categories, decorate the egg at home or join in with an egg decorating workshop at PIP Café

Lyme Regis Easter Monday Duck Race

Venue: Lyme Regis Museum

Website: www.lymechristmaslights.co.uk/buyducks

See the website for details and to buy ducks

Wild Wednesdays

Venue: Durlston Country Park

Website: www.durlston.co.uk

Have a go at painting, crafts and activities. Free to take part although donations are much appreciated

Creature Encounters

Venue: Tuckton Tea Gardens

Website: www.facebook.com/tucktonteagardens

Unique animal workshop and kids lunch and drink - booking required

Dino-mite Easter Party

Venue: Dobbies, Gillingham

Website: www.events.dobbies.com

Dinosaur themed games, hunt for prehistoric surprises and make a dino egg terrarium to take home

Let's Go Fly A Kite

Venue: Durlston Country Park

Website: www.durlston.co.uk

Join a ranger to design and make your own mini-kites

Town History Walk - Lyme Regis

Venue: Meet Outside Lyme Regis Museum

Website: www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

Guided walk taking in Lyme Regis's colourful historic past intersposed with illustrated views of how much Lyme has been and continues to be used for film and television productions

Build a Home for Bees and Bugs at Alexandra Park

Venue: Alexandra Park

Website: www.parksfoundation.org.uk

Make a home for bees and bugs for the park and your own garden

Easter Egg Clay Craft

Venue: Kingfisher Barn

Website: www.parksfoundation.org.uk

Celebrate Easter and create your own Easter egg clay decoration inspired by new life in spring

Model Railway Weekend

Venue: Swanage Railway

Website: www.swanagerailway.co.uk

See the website for details

Woodland Deer Clay Craft

Venue: Kingfisher Barn

Website: www.parksfoundation.org.uk

Fun woodland deer-themed clay craft session

Great Dorset Beach Clean 2026

Venue: Charmouth

Website: www.mcsuk.org

See the website for details

Spring Plant Fair

Venue: Mapperton

Website: www.mapperton.com

Wide selection of plants, flowers and gardening finds from local growers

Bournemouth Writing Festival

Venue: Bournemouth

Website: www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk

Three days of free and ticket talks, workshops and activities

Classic Vehicle Event

Venue: Neddy Green, Lytchett Matravers

Website: www.organfordclassicevents.co.uk

Classic vehicles from cars and motorbikes to the more unusual, stationary engines, miniature steam engines and event tanks, kids activities, stalls and live music

Crafting characters and telling Big Stories

Venue: Patch

Website: www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk

A blockbuster writing workshop for budding young authors and storytellers - for ages 7+

Once Upon A Holiday

Venue: Patch

Website: www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk

Fun and imaginative workshop for ages 5 to 10

Open Farm Family Fun Day

Venue: Sturts Farm, West Moors

Website: www.gulliversfarmshop.co.uk

Variety of family friendly things to do, games and crafts, live music, meeting animals, a scavenger hunt and tractor rides

Scary Stories Inspired by Shelley

Venue: Patch

Website: www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk

The workshop will encourage kids to create their own scary monster story for ages 8+

Spring Market

Venue: Athelhampton

Website: www.athelhampton.com/events

See the website for details

The Science of Imagination: Write Like a Botanist

Venue: Patch

Website: www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk

Science becomes magic as children transform experiments into imaginative stories and extraordinary botanical worlds

Free activities for children

Venue: Patch

Website: www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk

Free, facilitated drop-in activities

Swanage Carnival Classic Car Show

Venue: Swanage

Website: www.swanagecarnival.com

Selection of vintage cars, motorcycles and bicycles and to help raise money for a selectionof charities and local good causes

The Chase Trail Run

Venue: St Giles House

Website: www.uktrailrunningfestival.co.uk

Running events including a trail race

Farmer Palmers Car Boot Sales

Venue: Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Website: www.farmerpalmers.co.uk

See the website for details

Teddy Rocks

Venue: Charisworth Farm at Blandford

Website: www.teddyrocks.co.uk

Multi-award winning 3 day family firendly charity music event

Castles and Dragons

Venue: Nothe Fort

Website: www.nothefort.org.uk

Magical themed weekend - see the website for list of activities

Dorset Team Spring Fair

Venue: Allendale Centre

Website: www.theallendale.org

Event featuring a number of talented makers offering handmade jewellery, homewares, art and more

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend

Venue: Corfe Castle

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle

Experience a weekend of family fun packed with engaging activities

Open Garden - 10 Ryan Close

Venue: Ferndown

Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk

See the website for details - kids go free

Shaftesbury Food Festival

Venue: Shaftesbury

Website: www.shaftesbury-food-festival.co.uk

Day packed full of fun, food and festivities on Shaftesbury's historic high street, Park Walk and surrounding areas

Dorset Spring Show

Venue: Birch Lane Showground, Puddletown

Website: www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

Spring celebration of food, farming, flowers and countryside

Seaside Scramble 2026

Venue: Baiter Park

Website: www.dsairambulance.org.uk

5K obstacle run organised by the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Charity

The Cheese and Chili Festival

Venue: Christchurch

Website: www.cheeseandchillifestival.com/event/christchurch

Lots of activities for all the family - see the website for more details

Family Fest

Venue: Wimborne

Website: www.wearefamilyfest.co.uk

Two days of live music, children's shows, family shows, activities, mascot appearances, food, drink and craft, sweet, food and small business traders

Park to Pier Walk

Venue: Swanage Pier/Durlston Castle

Website: www.swanagepiertrust.com

Guided walk from Durlston Castle to Swanage Pier learning about the wildlife geology and history of Durlston Country Park and Swanage