Discover family days out in Dorset. From idyllic beaches to picture-perfect villages, steam trains and a hilltop castle, Enid Blyton’s adventures come alive in gorgeous Dorset…
Dorset is synonymous with the Famous Five. Although Enid Blyton didn’t mention the county in her books, she was a frequent visitor to Dorset, even buying the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club.
Its drowsy villages and secret coves provided the perfect setting for innocent outdoorsy adventures fuelled by hard-boiled eggs and lashings of ginger beer. ‘My imagination,’ Enid wrote, “contains all the things I have ever seen or heard, things my conscious mind has long forgotten… I don’t think that I use anything I have not seen or experienced. I don’t think I could.”
If you’re a Blyton bookworm, young or old, Dorset is the perfect place to recreate a little nostalgic adventure.
Why not book a Dorset cottage and enjoy an intriguing break of your own? Exploring the sites with abundant picnics of potted meat sandwiches and fruit cake, inspired by the books.
Follow in the Footsteps of the Famous Five | Family Days out in Dorset
Use the quick links to navigate to a particular attraction or read on for our full guide to family days out in Dorset.
Isle of Purbeck
The Famous Five solve mysteries in idyllic surroundings. They come alive in the timeless villages, dusty lanes, lush countryside, picture-perfect farms, and unspoilt coastline of the Isle of Purbeck.
Blyton loved this landscape where her characters ‘watch waves break into spray over rocks’, ‘lie on heathery beds listening to sounds of the night’ and ‘smell the drifting scent of honeysuckle’.
The Isle of Purbeck is a peninsula located in South Dorset. Home to some of the country’s most loved towns and iconic landmarks.
Whatever time of year you visit you’ll find plenty of activities to keep the whole family happy. Explore the South West Coast Path, hunt for fossils or just sit back and relax enjoying views of the Jurassic Coast. It’s easy to see why it’s one of our favourite family days out in Dorset.
Corfe Castle
This dramatic hilltop ruin was the inspiration for Kirrin Castle where gold was hidden in ‘Five on a Treasure Island’.
The real castle formed an impenetrable barrier between south Purbeck and the rest of England. Originally made of wood, it was rebuilt in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. It continued to be used for 600 years by monarchs and their constables, until it was sold by Elizabeth I to her dancing master.
Eventually besieged and destroyed by Parliamentary forces in the Civil War, it’s now a deceptively peaceful site managed by the National Trust.
Pack up the kids and discover Corfe Castle this half term. There are plenty of things to do, including a new family trail that explores Bankes Estate, a teddy bear zip wire and a craft tent allowing your little ones to get creative. A not-to-be missed family day out in Dorset.
Swanage Railway
Image: Richard Pope
Enid Blyton arrived by steam train in 1941 to visit Corfe Castle on its majestic hill with the wonderful views. You can still retrace her atmospheric journey on the Swanage Railway which chugs between Swanage and Norden.
Corfe Castle Station was built in 1885 and looks just as picturesque as it would have when the Famous Five alighted amongst the leather trunks, porters, and Ladies’ Waiting Room with its coal fire.
Even if you choose not to board the train, the station is worth exploring. With fascinating archive films to watch in the cinema coach and its Station Master’s lounge restored to the 1950s. As well as a well-stocked shop with plenty of souvenirs.
Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove’s curve of white pebble beach and azure water is likely to be the Famous Five’s Kirrin Bay. The “little cove not far off where they could bathe and paddle to their hearts’ content”.
The Cove is a popular place to visit and a great family day out in Dorset. Explore the rock pools teeming with sea creatures or take a short walk along the coast path to Stair Hole. A naturally formed landmark from years of coastal erosion.
For the adventurous type, take a boat trip from the World Heritage site of Lulworth Cove to the iconic arch of Durdle Door. Meander the coastline, passing Stair Hole, Man O’War and St Oswalds Bay. You may be lucky enough to spot a basking shark or dolphin on the way!
Hartland Moor
Image: National Trust
This lowland heath between Corfe and Stoborough, which is manged by the National Trust, stars in the 1954 ‘Five Go to Mystery Moor’.
It is a stunning nature reserve to visit for its seclusion and peace, as well as lovely views and rare plants. It’s not nearly as sinister as it sounds when the Five camped out, and if mist descends, you’re more likely to bump into Ruby Red cattle than the menacing ne’er-do-wells who captured George and Anne.
Brownsea Island
Image: National Trust
Catch the ferry from Poole to ‘Whispering Island’. In ‘Five Have a Mystery to Solve’ the Famous Five were washed ashore in a rowing boat called Adventure. They discovered an iron door down an old well eventually leading to a room full of treasure. It’s no wonder Blyton called it ‘Keepaway Island’ and associated it with mystery.
The island was owned from 1927 to 1962 by Mary Bonham-Christie, the ‘Demon of Brownsea’, who evicted the residents and banned visitors.
Nature has now reclaimed Brownsea Island. And the ‘treasure’ you’ll find on the National Trust managed isle is more likely to be red squirrels and other abundant wildlife which have made the woodland, heath, and lagoon their home.
It’s a fine place for a picnic with lots of outdoor family-friendly adventures and history to explore.
Blue Pool, Furzebrook
Image: The Blue Pool Tea House/Amy Dillon
This is the ‘enormous blue lake that glittered in the August sunshine’ in ‘Five Go Off in a Caravan’ and also featured in ‘Five Go to Mystery Moor’.
Once a clay pit, it’s been reclaimed by nature. You can walk around the lake and admire it’s stunning colours, varying from green to turquoise. This is due to the fine clay which diffracts light in the water.
Sandy paths lead you up steps to views of the Purbeck Hills or down to the water’s edge. The seasonal Tearooms serve yummy cream teas – a perfect family day out in Dorset.
Holidays in Dorset
Helpful Holidays have a plethora of Dorset cottages waiting to welcome you to the Famous Five county.
Many of them, like pretty Poppy Cottage, would be right at home in the pages of Enid Blyton’s books. Please call us on 01647 433593 for more recommendations, we’ll be pleased to help you find the perfect base to enjoy family days out in Dorset.
We hope to meet you cycling or walking the hedgerow lanes. Don’t forget your greaseproof-paper-wrapped parcel of sandwiches and a bottle of pop!
(Psstt… have a rummage in your bookshelves and you may strike lucky. Some early editions of the Famous Five are now worth over £2,000.)
Article adapted from original content written by Christine Phillips for Helpful Holidays.
