Top Kids' Attractions in Dorset

In our international globalised society, with the advent of budget airlines and online holiday planning search engines more and more people have been going abroad for their Summer holidays. With so many families going abroad and so many TV adverts showing international theme parks and resorts, people can feel the pressure to shell out and go to foreign climes for the warmer months, even being nagged by their children. However, in today's difficult economic climate, going abroad can be expensive and create a lot of stress, despite being supposedly relaxing. In order to avoid all the hassle of weighing suitcases, hiring a car, flying and trying to get by in a foreign language, staying in Britain is becoming a more attractive idea for many.

As weather predictions for this year look good, with meteorologists promising it to be the Summer of the barbeque, Britain's coastal tourism areas look set to enjoy a booming peak season. For British holiday potentials, Dorset in particular is one of the Summer's hotspots, providing fantastic scenery, entertainment and accommodation opportunities.

Dorset is an area well-known for its stunning scenery and fascinating landforms such as coves, rock formations and rocky coastline as it is home to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. For families with young children this doesn't have to mean a boring geography lesson, but the landscape gives the opportunity for quality family time as you can explore the nooks and crannies of the English coastline together. It is also a fantastic way to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors, including the amazing array of coastal wildlife you can spot along your walk.

As well as areas of outstanding natural beauty, the area is also famous for its bustling holiday resorts strewn along the Dorset coast. The towns of Bournemouth, Poole, Swanage and Weymouth are all fantastic holiday destinations, focusing on retaining their British sea-side appeal whilst offering the amenities and infrastructure expected of internationally renowned destinations. All of these towns are well designed for young families and kids of all ages, as they offer an array of seaside attractions. As well as Coconut Shies, Punch and Judy Shows and traditional games, there are a large amount of fairground rides ranging from tame and fun to large and scary. Along the seaside there are also donkey rides, pedalos and other water sports typically on offer, and along piers and seafronts, the typically British sweet shops, candy floss vendors and obligatory fish and chip shops are to be found.

Throughout the Summer months such towns often hold special events such as circuses, even larger fairgrounds and fetes with special rides, fun houses and eating outlets. Swanage in particular holds a carnival week which includes a mass of decorated floats and dancers and lots of elaborate firework displays. Bournemouth and Swanage both also host live music events including a jazz festival, a folk festival, and there are plans for a massive food festival in the future. The area is also home to many sailing events and regattas, which can be great fun for all of the family to watch.

For younger tourists, the Dorset Railway also runs Thomas the Tank Engine themed events and other special services for the kids to enjoy. To be honest though, for many kids the rolling waves of the sea and a bucket and spade are enough to keep them smiling and happy and enjoying a traditional British sea-side holiday.