Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum

Clay pipes, ball clay and building stone - Purbeck's industrial past comes alive in this cracking little museum that most visitors to Dorset miss entirely. Housed in what was once the schoolhouse for Norden village, just outside Wareham, it tells the story of an area that supplied London with clay for centuries.

Fossil hunters and geology enthusiasts will be properly chuffed with the displays of local finds, including some lovely Purbeck marble samples and explanations of how the famous stone was quarried. The museum does a solid job explaining why this corner of Dorset became so important industrially - something you'd never guess driving through today's peaceful countryside.

Kids might find it a bit dry unless they're already keen on rocks and minerals, but it's free admission so worth a quick look if you're staying nearby. The volunteer-run setup means opening times can be unpredictable, so ring ahead.

From holiday parks like Burnbake Forest Lodges or the larger Sandford Holiday Park, it's an easy drive that works well combined with a trip to nearby Corfe Castle or the steam railway. Allow about an hour unless you're really into the subject. Not earth-shattering, but a decent rainy day option that adds context to the landscape you're exploring.