Summer holiday activities for rainy days

This week we thought we would look ahead a little to the school summer holidays. Dorset is a fabulous place for a family holiday whatever the weather, but just in case you have a rainy day or two on your holiday, here are a few suggestions for fun-filled rainy-day activities for all the family.

The Tank Museum, Bovington has Tank Action Displays every weekday during the summer holidays with expert commentary, thundering engines and life-like explosions. These action displays take place outside but the museum also has six large halls where you can see a unique collection of tanks and supporting artefacts and learn about the stories of tanks and tank crews spanning almost 100 years of history.

At Bournemouth Aquarium you can take an underwater adventure around the waters of the world and come face to face with hundreds of awesome creatures. The aquarium is home to all your favourites from flamboyant clownfish and tiny terrapins, to stunning sharks and the infamous piranha. Immerse yourself in a sea of colour, with nine spectacular recreated environments including the Amazon, Africa and the Ganges, the Great Barrier Reef and the Abyss.

Family Fossil Days at Lyme Regis Museum (9th, 23rd and 25th August). Fossil hunters Paddy Howe, Chris Andrew and Brandon Lennon are at Lyme Regis Museum for mini fossil festivals in August. Cut and polish an ammonite and make it the most beautiful fossil of all time to take home. Handle 190-million-year-old treasures, ask questions and bring your own prized collection for identification.

4th and 5th August – Creep Crawly Bugfest at Abbotsbury Children’s Farm – meet tarantulas and all sorts of other bugs and beasties!

12th August (and 25th August) - The rime of the ancient marinerby the Shanty Theatre Company at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. “A family musical with wit, half-wits and a massive seagull! Shanty Theatre Company has turned this well-known tale upside down and given it a good shake to see what comes out of its pockets.” Expect music, japes and a darn good yarn for all the family.

14th August - The Adventures of Perseus by Multi Story Theatre at Dorchester Arts. Using projection, puppetry, lightning-quick character changes and some pretty impressive physical action two professors tell the story of Perseus as a boy, with a story that takes us through all the twists and turns of how he sets out on his great quest to capture the head of Medusa, the snake haired Gorgon. Suitable for children aged 5 -11 and their families.

For a child friendly and eco-friendly holiday in the UK this summer, please see our website for more information about our bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation.