Dorset 2024

Planning a UK family holiday on a budget? Our Dorset caravan holiday at Sandford Bay cost just £400 for a week. Here’s what we did, what it cost, and the best things to do in Dorset with kids.

Our Dorset Caravan Family Holiday Review: Sandford Bay, Park Dean = Most Surprising

The Details

In Easter 2024 we booked a week at Sandford Bay Caravan Resort in Dorset. Honestly, we chose it because it was cheap — just £400 for a full week in a caravan (an absolute steal) — and we weren’t sure what to expect. But it turned out to be one of the best family breaks we’ve had. Dorset is a truly beautiful part of the UK, full of seaside charm, family-friendly attractions, and plenty of surprises. 

 

With two kids (6 and 1), we wanted a holiday that was fun, affordable, and easy. Sandford (Parkdean) was a brilliant base: big but clean, with pools, play areas, even a dog-walking field, and a hardworking entertainment team that kept the kids buzzing with Bingo and shows every evening. We were even upgraded to a nicer caravan, which made it feel extra special. 

 

Here’s what we got up to, what it cost, and my honest recommendations for anyone planning a family caravan holiday in Dorset.

🏡 Staying at Sandford Bay Caravan Park

Location: Near Poole, easy reach of Bournemouth, Weymouth, and lots of family attractions.

Facilities: Pool, soft play, outdoor play areas, evening entertainment, dog walking field.

Our verdict: Clean, lively, and great value.

🐵 Monkey World (20 mins, 11 miles) – Best for Animal Lovers

Tickets: £17.50 adults / £12 children / under 3s free (family ~£55).

Monkey World, one of the top UK attractions, was a big hit. The kids loved the chimps, orangutans, and smaller monkeys, and the play areas were just as popular. A full day out, good value for money, and one of Dorset’s best-known attractions for families.

🐠 Bournemouth Oceanarium (30 mins, 14 miles) – Rainy Day Favourite

Tickets: £14 adults / £10 children / under 3s free (family ~£40).

On a grey day we headed to Bournemouth’s Oceanarium. Penguins, turtles, sharks, and colourful tropical tanks kept the kids glued for hours. It’s right by the pier, so we combined it with a seafront stroll. A perfect rainy-day option.

🌈 Weymouth (40 mins, 22 miles) – Most Beautiful Town

Free to wander; parking + food extra.

Weymouth was our favourite stop of the week. Its colourful harbour felt straight out of a postcard, and we found the cutest little shop with teddies set up having a tea party. Between that, chips by the harbour, and soaking up the seaside atmosphere, Weymouth completely charmed us.

🎮 Bournemouth (30 mins, 14 miles) – Seaside + Arcades

Mostly free (beach/pier); arcades & games extra.

Bournemouth had everything you’d expect from a seaside town: beach, pier, arcades. It was chilly when we went, so we didn’t linger on the beach, but the arcades were fantastic and we discovered a fun VR game that gave the day a modern twist.

🌸 Upton Country Park (10 mins, 4 miles) – Best for Easy Days

Free entry; parking ~£3.

So close to Sandford that we went more than once. The gardens are lovely for strolling, and on one visit there was a bustling local market with stalls and food that gave it a real community feel.

🌲 Moors Valley Country Park (30 mins, 18 miles) – Must-Do Day Out

Parking: £8–£16 depending on stay. Go Ape/railway extra.

Our biggest surprise and absolute must-do. Moors Valley had everything: adventure trails, Go Ape high ropes, a miniature railway, big play areas, a lake, and even a fairy-tale-style sculpture trail. It felt magical and we could have spent two days there easily. Moors valley is definitely one of eh best days out in Dorset.

🛍️ Poole (15 mins, 5 miles) – Best for Browsers

Free to wander; just pay parking.

Poole had a very different feel to Bournemouth or Weymouth. The harbour is nice, but what really stood out was the high street full of charity shops — perfect if you like a good browse and bargain hunt.

🍴 Eating Out & Treats

We self-catered most of the week but tried a couple of cosy local pubs for dinner, which made a nice change. The unexpected foodie highlight? A Dorset bakery that sold the most divine brownies — honestly, the best we’ve ever had.

Reflections

Must-Do Recommendation: Moors Valley Country Park — don’t miss it.

If We Went Again: Bring scooters for the trails and plan one fewer town trip — the kids loved the outdoor days more.

Biggest Surprise: The simple evenings at Sandford Bay, playing bingo and enjoying the entertainment, were just as special as the big outings.

Cost – (Family of 4, Easter, 7 Days)

Caravan park: £400 (amazing Easter deal).

Attractions: Monkey World £55 + Oceanarium £40 + Moors Valley £10–20 parking.

Towns/parks: Upton £3 + parking in towns.

Food: Mostly self-catered + a couple of pub meals (£100–150).

Extras: Arcades, bakery treats, and plenty of bingo!

Total spend: ~£1,000 all in.

🌟 Final Thoughts

We originally booked Dorset simply because it was cheap and we were a bit apprehensive. But it completely won us over. Between the colourful towns, fun attractions, beautiful parks, and those unforgettable brownies, it turned out to be a wonderful holiday in a part of the UK we’d highly recommend.

If you’re looking for a family break that’s affordable, fun, and full of memories, Dorset might just surprise you too.