Here’s an article about Things to do near Rockley Park Holiday Park in case you are there to visit!
Situated on the beautiful Ham Common nature reserve, a stone’s throw from spectacular Poole Harbour in Dorset, Rockley Park is the perfect holiday location for families for water sports, wildlife, and relaxation.
The Haven-owned holiday park is packed with exciting activities and entertainment for the whole family.
But if you want to also explore the local area, there are plenty of things to do near Rockley Park.
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1. Adventure Wonderland
- Distance from the park: 13.6 miles
- Travel time: 26-minute drive
Located 12 miles from Rockley Park in Christchurch, award-winning Adventure Wonderland is one of Dorset’s most popular attractions.
Adventure Wonderland has fun rides, entertainment, and themed activities aimed at families with younger children aged 2-10 years.
During the summer season and school half-term holidays, the entry price includes 30 popular activities such as crazy golf, Shetland World, Alice in Wonderland Maze, theatre shows and Wild Thing!
Children get to meet their favourite cartoon characters on special events days, and at Christmas, there’s a pantomime and a visit from Father Christmas.
With refreshments, ice cream and tasty food in the cafes, this is an all-around fantastic day out with the children.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM, Wednesday to Sunday
- Address: Merritown Lane, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 6BA
- Standard Adult Price: starts at £1.75 (1 year old + free adult) + £0.50 Booking Fee
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2. Corfe Castle
- Distance from the park: 13.8 miles
- Travel time: 24-minute drive
Explore 1000 years of history at romantic Corfe Castle in the heart of Dorset.
Discover its heritage as a fortress and a royal palace. This enchanting, iconic castle is positioned on top of a hill, full of stories of treachery and civil war, which come to life as you wander around its medieval walls.
The Model Village, set in an acre of beautifully landscaped gardens, portray what the village and castle were like before Cromwell.
Corfe Castle is a top attraction for visitors to Dorset, with breathtaking views across the Isle of Purbeck and cream teas to die for in the 18th-century tea rooms.
Activities at the Model Village include:
- Giant family games
- Croquet
- Punishment area for naughty people with working stocks and pillories
- Fossil corner
- Magical fairy garden
- Wildlife garden with bird feeding station and hide
- A visitor centre, a small museum
- Realistic model soldiers in civil war uniform
- Refreshments terrace with stunning views
- Gift shop
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM
- Address: Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5EZ
- Standard Adult Price: £12.10 (Off Peak) or £13.20 (Peak)
🏰 Join Old Harry Rocks and Corfé Castle Guided E-bike Tour 🏰
3. Upton Country Park
- Distance from the park: 4.8 miles
- Travel time: 11-minute drive
Located a 10-minute drive from Rockley Park, the award-winning Upton Country Park is home to a Grade 2 listed Georgian Mansion set in beautiful, tranquil grounds, with a creative natural timber play park for the children.
The art gallery above the tea rooms features exhibitions by local artists.
For relaxation, there are walled gardens, shrubberies and lovingly tended flower beds, woodland walks, and abundant wildlife to watch along the shore.
For a family picnic, games on the front lawn, or time out for reflection, an afternoon at Upton Country Park offers a peaceful retreat from all the excitement at Rockley Park.
Upton hosts events, fairs, shows and music festivals, so check the local What’s On.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: Daily, 8 AM to 9 PM, Summer; to 6 PM, Winter Season
- Address: Poole Road, Upton, Poole BH17 7BJ
- Standard Adult Price: Free admission
4. Dorset County Museum
- Distance from the park: 23.1 miles
- Travel time: 31-minute drive
The museum houses 250 million years of local Dorset natural history and heritage.
From Jurassic Coast fossils, Roman mosaics, Thomas Hardy’s original manuscripts and much more, the collections and interactive exhibits are sure to capture your imagination and inspire all ages, especially dinosaur fans.
Dorset County Museum has special events, a cafe and a gift shop.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday to Saturday); 10 AM to 4 PM (Sunday and Bank Holidays)
- Address: High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1XA
- Standard Adult Price: £14
5. Farmer Palmers Farm Park
- Distance from the park: 6.3 miles
- Travel time: 13-minute drive
A firm favourite among families with young children, award-winning Farmer Palmer’s is custom-designed for children up to 8 years.
Farmer Palmers is a wonderful, fun day out for the whole family, whatever the weather.
Children love meeting and feeding the animals, the goats and guinea pigs, the outdoor and indoor play areas, and the popular World of Dinosaur discovery trail.
There is also a splash park, ride-on toys, and bouncy castles for the little ones to play on.
Farmer Palmers is open daily from 9:30 AM, and online pre-booking is essential.
Eating options include the Hen House Restaurant, homemade meals, cakes, snacks and picnic areas.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 4 PM, Daily
- Address: Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset BH16 6EU
- Standard Adult Price: Summertime at £19, winter at £17
6. Lulworth Castle
- Distance from the park: 14.9 miles
- Travel time: 27-minute drive
This beautiful 17th-century castle is set in lovely parkland, with woodland walks and a children’s adventure playground.
Lulworth Castle is less than a 30-minute drive from Rockley Park.
Dogs are welcome.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 10:30 AM to 5 PM, Sunday to Thursday
- Address: East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QS
- Standard Adult Price: £7.00
7. Durdle Door
- Distance from the park: 18.4 miles
- Travel time: 35-minute drive
Durdle Door is a world-renowned iconic landmark, an impressive 10,000 natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast.
The Jurassic Coast is the most famous area on the spectacular coast; an absolute must-visit if you’re exploring Dorset.
There are unparalleled views from the clifftops, and access to the stunning beach is via a steep, stony slope and steps, so suitable footwear is essential.
🦕 Book 10+ Stops on the Jurassic Coast! 🦕
8. Monkey World
- Distance from the park: 15.5 miles
- Travel time: 24-minute drive
There’s always fun and laughter at Monkey World, an endangered and rescued ape, monkey centre, and sanctuary in Wool, Dorset.
There are 65 acres of enclosures where you can watch and learn about the residents, rescue stories, and individual personalities through enthusiastically guided keeper talks and Q&A sessions.
Monkey World participates in international breeding programmes for endangered species, such as the official European orangutan creche.
The Great Ape Play Area houses three adventure playgrounds for the children to run wild. Adopt a primate, and you’ll get free entry to Monkey World for one year.
Eating options include a cafe with excellent value meals and picnic areas.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily
- Address: Longthorns, near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HH
- Standard Adult Price: £16.50 (Online) or £18.50 (On the door)
9. Paulton’s Park
- Distance from the park: 34 miles
- Travel time: 45-minute drive
Although located a 1-hour drive from Rockley Park, a visit to Paulton’s Park is a must for any Peppa Pig fan.
Several worlds of adventure await at the ever-popular Paulton’s Park near the village of Ower, Hampshire.
There are over 70 different rides and attractions, including Peppa Pig’s theme park, Peppa’s Big Balloon Ride and George’s Dinosaur Adventure soft play zone.
With wild west-themed Tornado Springs, Critter Creek, Little Africa’s exotic birds and animals, and much more, this is a fabulous day out for adults with children.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily – but check the official website
- Address: Ower, Romsey, The New Forest, Hampshire, SO51 6AL
- Standard Adult Price: starts at £41.75
10. Poole Harbour
- Distance from the park: 7.7 miles
- Travel time: 20-minute drive
The second largest natural harbour in the world, Poole Harbour is a stunning location edged by unspoilt woodlands and beautiful beaches.
The area is a haven for all watersports, especially sailing, coastal walks with beautiful views and nature lovers.
Poole Harbour is a conservation site with wetlands home to wading birds and many species of wildfowl. It is also a Site of Specific Scientific Interest as one of the most spectacular and beautiful habitats.
Poole Marine Conservation Area comprises 4 square kilometres of sea bed, home to over 360 marine creatures.
Good To Know:
- Address: Dorset BH15 4AF
11. Sandbanks
- Distance from the park: 7 miles
- Travel time: 17-minute drive
Exclusive Sandbanks is one of the most gorgeous beaches in the UK, with soft, golden sands, clear waters, and unbeatable views across the Purbecks.
This award-winning beach is perfect for sunbathing, beach games swimming, and unforgettable beach walks.
Volleyball nets, sports equipment and deckchairs are available from the beach office.
There are also excellent restaurants, cafes, pubs, and shops nearby.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 24 Hours, Daily
- Address: Banks Road, Poole BH13 7QQ
- Standard Adult Price: Free
12. Brownsea Island
- Distance from the park: 19.1 miles
- Travel time: 40-minute drive
The National Trust owns Brownsea Island, the largest island in Poole Harbour, a short ferry ride from Poole Quay.
Brownsea Island is home to various rare species, including seabirds and the famous red squirrels.
There are stunning views across the Purbecks from the scenic trails which cross the diverse, protected island habitats.
There’s a new natural playground for the children and refreshments at the Villano Café.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 24 Hours, Daily
- Address: Poole Harbour, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7EE
- Standard Adult Price: £9.50
🛥 Enjoy A Poole Harbor and Islands Cruise 🛥
13. Bovington Tank Museum
- Distance from the park: 17.3 miles
- Travel time: 28-minute drive
Bovington Tank Museum is located a 45-minute drive from Rockley Park.
Described as the best family day out in Dorset, Bovington Tank Museum is home to the world’s most extensive collection of tanks.
With more than 300 military vehicles from a century of military history in 9 awe-inspiring exhibitions to see, quizzes, trails, games, indoor and outdoor adventure play, and the chance to climb inside a tank, you can easily spend an entire day at Bovington.
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.
There is a cafe and restaurant at the museum.
Good To Know:
- Opening Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily
- Address: Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG
- Standard Adult Price: £17.55 (Online) and £19.50 (On the door)
Staying At Rockley Park
Rockley Park in Poole, Dorset, is a large holiday park with plenty of accommodation opportunities. There are static caravans for rent as well as holiday homes for sale.
Final Thoughts on Things To Do Near Rockley Park
As the sun sets on our exploration around Rockley Park Holiday Park in Dorset, it’s evident that this slice of England is nothing short of a traveller’s paradise.
From serene beaches beckoning with gentle waves to historic landmarks whispering tales of ages past, Dorset proves itself to be a treasure trove of experiences.
It’s been a journey delving into the myriad attractions surrounding Rockley Park, and as we conclude, one thing is certain: a visit here is not just a holiday, but an immersion into a world of diverse wonders.
Until next time, may your travels be filled with adventure and your memories, everlasting.