Dinosaur Dome

The Dinosaur Dome sits just outside Christchurch and does exactly what it says on the tin - it's a hands-on museum devoted entirely to dinosaurs and prehistoric life. You walk in expecting the usual dusty bones behind glass, but instead find yourself in interactive exhibits where kids can dig for fossils, handle casts of actual specimens, and learn why Dorset's Jurassic Coast made this part of England a proper hotbed for paleontology.

It's genuinely engaging stuff. The museum spans everything from how to identify a fossil to why certain dinosaurs went extinct, with enough detail to hold adults' interest without patronising them. Allow two to three hours if you've got curious children, ninety minutes if you're just passing through. Families will absolutely get the most from it, particularly those with kids aged five to thirteen - younger ones might find some of it dense, teenagers will likely think it's a bit basic.

The real draw, though, is how it ties into the wider Dorset landscape. You're minutes from the actual Jurassic Coast cliffs where much of this stuff was found, so visiting the Dome actually makes your coastal walks more interesting. Meadowbank Holidays and Hoburne Park Holiday Park - both within five miles - make solid bases if you're combining this with seaside time. It's the sort of rainy afternoon activity that saves a holiday, not the main event, but worth the detour if dinosaurs are your thing.