Things to do in Dorset this Easter

At this time of year, there’s the promise of new life – new sights, sounds and smells and it delivers one of the best times to discover Dorset. The Easter holidays fall just far enough ahead of the summer to squeeze in an additional getaway, lending themselves perfectly to multi-generational holidays with grandparents, children, aunties, uncles and your four-legged family members too! 

We’ve found some of the best things to do during the Easter holidays and picked out some of our favourite ways to discover Dorset at this time of year!

Take the children on the Brewery Square Easter Egg Hunt

First things first, if you have children with you over the Easter weekend, they’re bound to request an Easter egg hunt, and we’ve found a completely free one! Head to Brewery Square in Dorchester from Good Friday to Easter Monday, 10am–4pm. Pick up an entry form from the Concierge Office and once you’ve found the eggs, return the form to collect your prize!

Other Easter Egg Hunts in Dorset:

• Kingston Lacey
• Lulworth Castle & Park
• Brownsea Island

Cycle along the North Dorset Trailway

Discover Dorset in all its spring glory along the North Dorset Trailway. Linking Sturminster Newton with Spetisbury, it mostly follows the old Somerset & Dorset railway through beautiful countryside and pretty villages. Look out for little pockets of colour as the countryside comes back to life, and the spring flowers begin to appear in hedgerows. Stop for tea and cake at the restored station café in Shillingford (dogs welcome) or picnic on the benches at the old station site in Spetisbury.

Cycling not for you? Try out some of these Dorset coast walking routes.

Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet Parade

Get creative with the younger family members and create weird and wonderful Easter bonnets before showing them off in Lyme Regis’ annual Easter Bonnet Parade on Easter Sunday. Whether you choose to take part or simply watch the parade, the festive atmosphere is a lovely way to spend Easter Sunday afternoon.  Judging takes place at 2pm in the Baptist Church, and the procession is led by the Mayor at 3pm, finishing at the Jubilee Pavilion on the seafront.

Cuddle the fluffy newborns at Farmer Palmers

The children in your group this Easter will be sure to fall in love with the baby animals at Dorset’s most popular farm attraction. At this time of year, the farm is alive with lambs, piglets, chicks and baby bunnies with daily timetables of hands-on animal events for little ones to enjoy. Not forgetting, there will be an all-important Easter egg hunt, appearances from the Easter bunny and fun tractor rides – as well as all the usual Farmer Palmer attractions.

Looking for more ways to discover Dorset this Easter? Take a look at our guide to things to do in Dorset.  

Go on an egg hunt with a difference at Kimmeridge Bay

Head to Kimmeridge Bay on Good Friday to hunt for empty egg cases as part of the Great Egg Case Hunt! An egg case, often referred to as a mermaid’s purse, is how many sharks and most species of ‘skate’ reproduce – once the baby has emerged, empty cases often get washed up on the beach. By collecting and recording these egg cases, the Shark Trust can learn more about the egg-laying species in our waters. Meet at the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre beside the slipway in Kimmeridge Bay - £3 per person. At the end of the hunt, you can swap your egg cases for a chocolate treat! Dogs are allowed on the beach at Kimmeridge Bay all year round.

Just 8 miles from Lulworth Cove, why not see what else you can do in the area during your Easter break?

Visit the Blue Pool & tea rooms

This unique and tranquil beauty spot will be sure to attract visitors on Easter weekend as The Tea House re-opens for 2020 and the weather brings bright and sunny spring days. Explore the 25 acres of woodland and heath, crisscrossed by sandy paths that lead you to the water’s edge, step back in time in the museum and enjoy a light lunch, cream tea or ice cream in The Tea House. Dogs on leads are very welcome here too so your four-legged friend can discover Dorset with you.

Discover more things to do in Dorset with our handy guide. 

Go looking for spider orchids between Winspit and Dancing Ledge

One of the early signs of spring on the Jurassic Coast is the appearance of beautiful spider orchids on the Dorset clifftops. According to the National Trust, three-quarters of the UK population of this rare orchid can be found at Spyway on the South Purbeck coast. During April and early May, one of the best places to find these beautiful flowers is between Winspit and Dancing Ledge where as many as 20,000 grow on a good year. Get out for some fresh air over the Easter weekend and see what beautiful spring flowers you can see poking through the grass.

Our guide to the Dorset Coast will give you lots more ideas for places to visit during Easter weekend. 

Behold the sights at Minterne House & Gardens

Get lost in the gardens on the Minterne Estate and discover a world-famous collection of Himalayan rhododendrons and azaleas, which at this time of year, will look truly breathtaking. This beautiful garden offers a tranquil solace away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the excitement of Easter egg hunts. Here you can wander for hours among cherry blossom, spring flowers and maple trees, pausing occasionally to rest on a thoughtfully positioned bench. Dogs on leads are welcome!

Discover for more days out for your canine this Easter with our dog-friendly guide to Dorset.

Where to stay in Dorset this Easter

Inspired to discover Dorset this Easter? Browse our collection of cottages in Dorset to find somewhere comfortable to rest after a day of exploring. See our family-friendly cottages or large cottages for bigger groups and if your four-legged friend is an important family member, our dog-friendly cottages will be right up your street.