Planning a family holiday in Dorset can feel a bit overwhelming because there are so many different areas to choose from.
Do you go for a classic seaside break in Weymouth? A Jurassic Coast stay near Bridport and West Bay? A fossil-hunting trip around Lyme Regis and Charmouth? Or something more outdoorsy around Studland, Swanage and Purbeck?
The good news is that Dorset has some brilliant family holiday parks, whether you want big facilities, beach access, sea views, swimming pools, quieter touring pitches or a lodge-style stay.
This guide breaks down some of the best Dorset holiday park areas for families, with a few places to look at in each one.
Weymouth, Portland and Bowleaze Cove holiday parks
Best for the classic seaside feel, sandy beaches, arcades, pools, entertainment and lots to do with younger children.
Weymouth is one of the easiest places in Dorset for a traditional family holiday. You’ve got the beach, harbour, amusements, family-friendly places to eat and lots of holiday parks nearby. It’s a good option if you want a stay where the children have plenty to do and you’re not constantly planning long days out.
Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park & Spa
Bowleaze Cove is a polished coastal holiday park right by the beach, with a more grown-up feel than some of the bigger family parks. It has the bonus of spa facilities, so it works well if you want a family break that still gives parents a bit of a reset too.
It’s a good one to look at if you like the idea of Weymouth, but want to be slightly out of the main town with easy access to the coast. Bowleaze describes itself as a five-star park on the edge of the beach with spa days, family fun and coastal walks.
Best for: families who want beach access, facilities and a slightly more elevated holiday park feel.
Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
Weymouth Bay is a strong option for families who want the classic Haven-style holiday park experience. Think activities, entertainment, pools and everything in one place.
It’s a good choice if you’re travelling with younger children or want an easy base where there is plenty going on. Haven describes Weymouth Bay as a relaxed, rural park on the Dorset coast.
Best for: families who want a bigger holiday park with entertainment and easy access to Weymouth.
Littlesea Holiday Park
Littlesea is another popular Haven option near Weymouth, with views across Chesil Beach and the Fleet. It has a proper holiday village feel and works well if you want pools, activities and a family-friendly base close to the coast.
It’s a good option if you want the convenience of a large park but still want to be near some of Dorset’s coastal scenery. Haven describes Littlesea as a holiday village experience on the Dorset coastline.
Best for: families who want classic caravan holiday energy, views and plenty of facilities.
Seaview Holiday Park
Seaview is another Haven park near Weymouth, but it has a slightly quieter feel than some of the larger options. It still has family facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, but could work well if you want Weymouth nearby without being in the middle of everything.
Best for: families who want Weymouth close by, but a slightly more peaceful base.
Chesil Beach Holiday Park
Chesil Beach Holiday Park is a useful option if you want to be close to Weymouth and Portland, with a calmer coastal feel. It works well for families who want self-catering, beach days, coastal walks and easy access to Chesil Beach.
Waterside describes Chesil Beach Holiday Park as a base for coastal paths, seafood and unwinding in a holiday home.
Best for: families who want a quieter coastal base near Weymouth and Portland.
Bridport, West Bay and Burton Bradstock holiday parks
Best for Jurassic Coast views, beach walks, West Bay harbour, good food and a more scenic Dorset stay.
This part of Dorset is perfect if you want a holiday park stay with a bit more of a local, coastal feel. You’re close to West Bay, Bridport, Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock and some beautiful Jurassic Coast walks.
It’s a great area for families who like beach days, fish and chips, cliff views and exploring, but don’t necessarily want the busier feel of Weymouth.
Highlands End Holiday Park
Highlands End is one of the strongest options in Dorset for sea views. It sits near West Bay and has panoramic views across the Jurassic Coast, which makes it feel very special for a family stay.
It offers a wide range of accommodation, including lodges, caravans, glamping, apartments and pitches. Highlands End describes itself as a five-star park with views over 99 miles of coastline, from Portland Bill in Dorset to Start Point in Devon.
It has a lovely indoor pool, with steam room and sauna and family fun sessions in the school holidays.
It’s also close enough to walk into West Bay, which is a big bonus if you want harbour days, beach walks or somewhere easy for food and ice creams.
Best for: sea views, Jurassic Coast walks and families who want a scenic Dorset base.
Freshwater Beach Holiday Park
Freshwater Beach is a strong choice if you want a beachside family holiday near Burton Bradstock. It has that proper seaside holiday feel, with the beach close by and the Jurassic Coast around you. We love camping here and with an indoor and outdoor pool you are spoilt for choice!
Freshwater Beach is as close to golden sands on the Jurassic Coast, making it a good option for families who want beach access and coastal exploring.
Best for: families who want a beachside holiday park with easy access to the Jurassic Coast.
West Bay Holiday Park
West Bay Holiday Park is a very practical base if you want to stay close to West Bay harbour, the beach and the cliffs. It’s a good option for families who want to explore Bridport and West Bay without driving everywhere.
It is a harbour-side park on the Jurassic Coast, with West Bay beach and cliffs nearby.
Best for: families who want to be close to West Bay, Bridport and the Jurassic Coast.
Golden Cap Holiday Park
Golden Cap is a quieter option near Seatown and the Jurassic Coast. It’s better suited to families who like walking, beaches and a more nature-led break, rather than a big entertainment park.
It’s part of the West Dorset Leisure Holidays group, along with Highlands End and other local parks.
Best for: families who want a quieter coastal base with access to walks and beaches.
Eype Beach Holiday Park
Eype Beach Holiday Park is another quieter coastal option near Bridport and West Bay. It’s a good one to look at if you want sea air, cliff walks and a simple base rather than lots of entertainment.
It also sits within the West Dorset Leisure Holidays group of parks.
Best for: a quieter family stay near Bridport, West Bay and the coast.
Lyme Regis, Charmouth and the fossil coast holiday parks
Best for fossil hunting, quieter family breaks, traditional seaside days and exploring the Jurassic Coast.
Lyme Regis and Charmouth are brilliant for families, especially if your children love fossil hunting, beaches, rock pooling or just wandering around pretty seaside towns.
This area can feel a little quieter and more traditional than Weymouth, but there is still plenty to do. It’s a lovely choice if you want a slower Dorset family holiday with lots of exploring.
Newlands Holiday Park
Newlands is a good all-round family option in Charmouth. It has a mix of accommodation, including lodges, caravans, apartments, glamping, camping, touring and motorhome options.
It also has useful family facilities, including a leisure centre, restaurant, play areas, outdoor pool, splashzone and indoor pool.
This makes it a good base if you want to explore Charmouth and Lyme Regis, but still want facilities on site. You have to try and carvary on a Sunday, it is delicious!
Best for: families who want Charmouth, Lyme Regis and a good mix of facilities.
Wood Farm Holiday Park
Wood Farm is close to Charmouth and Lyme Regis, with more of a countryside feel. It works well if you want a base near the fossil coast, but don’t necessarily want to be right in the busiest part of Lyme Regis.
It’s a good one to look at if your family likes a quieter location, with beach days and fossil hunting nearby.
Best for: families who want countryside calm close to Charmouth and Lyme Regis.
Pinewood Retreat
Pinewood Retreat is a quieter lodge-style option near Lyme Regis and Seaton. It feels less like a big holiday park and more like a self-catering base for exploring.
It’s close to the Dorset and Devon border, so it could work well if you want to visit Lyme Regis, Seaton, Beer, Charmouth and the wider Jurassic Coast. Pinewood describes its lodges as being close to Lyme Regis and Seaton.
Best for: families who want a quieter lodge stay near Lyme Regis.
Sandyholme Holiday Park
Sandyholme is another lower-key option to look at if you want camping, touring or a quieter base in West Dorset. It’s part of the West Dorset Leisure Holidays group of parks.
Best for: families who want a simpler, quieter touring or camping option.
Charmouth area stays
Even if you don’t pick a big holiday park, Charmouth is worth looking at as an area. It’s close to Lyme Regis, has a beach that’s brilliant for fossil hunting and gives you a good base for exploring the Jurassic Coast.
Best for: fossil hunting, beach days and a slightly quieter base than Lyme Regis itself.
Studland, Swanage, Wareham and Purbeck holiday parks
Best for beaches, sand dunes, Swanage, Corfe Castle, Old Harry Rocks and outdoor family days.
The Isle of Purbeck is one of the most beautiful parts of Dorset. It’s ideal if your family likes beaches, nature, walking, castles, steam trains and proper outdoor days.
Studland itself is more of a beach and nature destination than a big holiday park hub, so it makes sense to look at the wider Swanage, Wareham and Purbeck area.
Ulwell Holiday Park
Ulwell is a strong option near Swanage. It has a family-friendly setup with an indoor swimming pool, play park, bar and restaurant.
It’s a good base if you want to be close to Swanage, but also want countryside around you and easy access to Purbeck days out.
Best for: families who want Swanage nearby, plus simple on-site facilities.
Burnbake Forest Lodges and Campsite
Burnbake is a lovely choice if you want more of a woodland, nature-led stay. It works well for families who want to explore Studland, Corfe Castle, Swanage and Wareham, but don’t need a big entertainment park.
The Studland area is a major draw here. Burnbake’s own guide describes Studland as having four miles of sandy beach, dunes, sheltered waters and views towards Old Harry Rocks.
Best for: nature, woodland stays and easy access to Studland and Purbeck.
Sandford Holiday Park
Sandford is a bigger Parkdean option near Poole and Wareham. It’s a useful choice if you want facilities, entertainment and access to both coast and countryside.
Parkdean describes Sandford as a woodland park a short drive from the beach, with Poole and Bournemouth nearby, plus easy day trips to Corfe Castle and Durdle Door.
Best for: families who want a bigger park with activities and access to Purbeck day trips.
Swanage Bay View
Swanage Bay View is a good option if you want to be close to Swanage and enjoy views across the bay. It works well for families who want beach days, Swanage town, the steam railway and easy access to Purbeck.
Best for: families who want a Swanage base with coastal views.
Studland as a base
Studland is one of Dorset’s dreamiest beach areas. It’s known for its long sandy beach, dunes, sheltered waters and views of Old Harry Rocks.
There aren’t as many big holiday parks directly in Studland, so I’d look at nearby Swanage, Wareham, Sandford or Burnbake if you want to stay close.
Best for: beach days, paddleboarding, dunes and Old Harry Rocks.
Dorchester, Warmwell and inland Dorset holiday parks
Best for activity-led breaks, rainy-day options, easy drives to the coast and families who want more than just beach days.
Staying slightly inland can work really well in Dorset, especially if you want more space, better value or easy access to different parts of the county.
Warmwell and Dorchester are useful if you want to be able to drive to Weymouth, Lulworth, Portland or the Jurassic Coast, but don’t need to stay right by the beach.
Warmwell Holiday Park
Warmwell is a good option for families who want lots to do on site, especially if the weather is mixed. It’s a lodge-style Parkdean holiday park near Weymouth and Dorchester.
It’s known for being activity-led, so it works well for children who like swimming, sports and entertainment.
Best for: active families, rainy-day options and a lodge-style stay.
Warmwell Caravan Park
Warmwell Caravan Park is a smaller, simpler option in the Warmwell area. It could work well if you want a quieter base close to Dorchester, Weymouth and Hardy country.
Best for: families who want a simpler inland base within driving distance of the coast.
East Fleet Farm
East Fleet Farm is a good option for families who like camping, touring or a more outdoorsy stay. It’s close to the Fleet Lagoon and within easy reach of Weymouth and Chesil Beach.
Best for: camping, touring and families who want a coastal countryside feel.
Best Dorset holiday park areas by type of family break
If you’re still not sure where to start, this quick guide may help.
Best for classic seaside fun
Weymouth, Bowleaze Cove and Portland
Look at: Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth Bay, Littlesea, Seaview and Chesil Beach.
Best for Jurassic Coast views
Bridport, West Bay and Burton Bradstock
Look at: Highlands End, Freshwater Beach, West Bay Holiday Park, Golden Cap and Eype Beach.
Best for fossil hunting
Lyme Regis and Charmouth
Look at: Newlands, Wood Farm, Pinewood Retreat and Charmouth area stays.
Best for beaches and nature
Studland, Swanage and Purbeck
Look at: Ulwell, Burnbake, Sandford and Swanage Bay View.
Best for activities
Warmwell and Weymouth
Look at: Warmwell Holiday Park, Weymouth Bay and Littlesea.
Best for quieter stays
Eype, Golden Cap, Pinewood and Sandyholme
These are good options if you want less of a big entertainment park and more of a scenic base.
Best for big family facilities
Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth Bay, Littlesea, Newlands, Sandford and Warmwell
These are worth looking at if pools, entertainment or lots to do on site are important.
Save this guide for when you’re planning your next Dorset family break.
Sarah x
Our Dorset Life 
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