The six week summer holidays arrive fast, and the question is almost always the same: how do you give the children a proper break without the whole thing costing more than it should?
Dorset is one of the best answers to that question in England. It has beaches, ancient woodland, farm animals, free country parks, fossils on the shore, and countryside that genuinely takes your breath away. And if you stay somewhere that gives you space to cook your own meals and room for the children to run about, a week here can be surprisingly good value.
Meadow View Country Park, set in 52 acres of East Dorset countryside near Wimborne, is 20 minutes from Bournemouth and right on the edge of the New Forest. It offers six different ways to stay/ from safari tents and glamping pods to luxury static caravans and off grid camping pitches with stables, a petting area, and a fishing lake all on site.
Here is what a summer family break at Meadow View looks like, what is nearby, and how to make it work without spending more than you need to.
Why Dorset is one of the best places for a family summer break
Dorset has two things that are hard to find in the same place: a beautiful coastline and genuinely good, affordable countryside. The Jurassic Coast runs along the south of the county. Bournemouth’s seven miles of sandy beach are within easy reach. But inland, you have the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, the New Forest National Park, and some of the most peaceful countryside in southern England.
What makes it work for families on a budget is the sheer number of things that cost very little. Moors Valley Country Park, just ten minutes from Meadow View, charges nothing to enter you pay only for parking. Bournemouth beach is free. Fossil hunting at Charmouth is free. The South West Coast Path is free. Kingston Lacy, a National Trust estate less than 15 minutes from the park, runs a full programme of family activities throughout the summer holidays each year.
The key to a good-value Dorset summer break is staying somewhere with space and a kitchen. A self-catering base at Meadow View costs far less than a family hotel room in Bournemouth during August and you get countryside, fresh air, and room for the children to actually move around.
Which type of accommodation suits your family?
Meadow View has six different ways to stay. Here is a straightforward guide to which one works best depending on the size of your family and how you like to travel.
Safari tents
Our safari tents sleep up to six and are the most popular choice for families during the summer. Each tent has enclosed sleeping areas, a lounge, a kitchenette with a gas hob and mini-fridge, a large private porch, and a barbecue area outside. Two small dogs are welcome. If you have children of different ages, the separation between the sleeping and living areas makes a real difference.
Luxury static caravans
Our static caravans give you the space of a small holiday home at a fraction of what you would pay for a cottage or hotel. A proper kitchen, comfortable beds, and a sitting area everything you need to cook, eat, and relax as a family without the cost of eating out every night. A solid, practical choice for families who want comfort over novelty.
Glamping pods
The four pods Little Elm, Little Ash, Little Yew, and Little Oak — each have a double bed, kitchenette, and private outdoor space. They work well for two adults and one young child. All glamping guests use a dedicated bathroom block that is separate from the main camping facilities.
Off-grid camping
With over 300 pitches for tents, touring caravans, and motorhomes, our off grid camping area is wide open, quiet, and genuinely good value. No electric hook-up, no Wi-Fi just fields and fresh air. Children sleep better here than almost anywhere else.
What children can do without leaving the park
Meadow View is a countryside park rather than a holiday camp. There are no organised activities or set timetables — and for most families, that is exactly the point. The children have space, animals nearby, and time that is genuinely unstructured. Here is what is available on the site:
- Stables and pony walking horses are on site throughout the summer and meeting them is one of the most-talked-about parts of a stay for younger children. Pony walking is calm, hands-on, and the kind of thing children carry home as a memory rather than a souvenir.
- Petting animals the petting area lets younger children get close to smaller animals. Calm, supervised, and popular with children of all ages but especially the under-sevens.
- Fishing lake a quiet, well-stocked lake on the site. A good option for older children and adults who want to slow down for a morning.
- Barbecue and firepit areas evenings around the barbecue or firepit become the centre of a stay very quickly. Cooking outside, toasting marshmallows, and watching the sky darken are simple things that children remember.
- The Barnhouse Bar open on weekends from 5pm. Somewhere to sit with a cold drink while the children are nearby.
The best days out near Meadow View this summer
Moors Valley Country Park
Moors Valley is one of the best-value family days out in southern England. Entry is free — you pay only for parking, which costs up to £16 for a full day at peak times. The park covers 1,000 acres of forest and open land on the Dorset-Hampshire border, ten miles north of Bournemouth and about ten minutes from Meadow View.
During the summer holidays, the rangers run daily activities including pond dipping, a Gruffalo trail, a Play Trail through the woodland, a Tree Top walkway five metres off the ground, a miniature steam railway, and two adventure play areas. Go Ape tree-top courses are available at an extra cost for older children and adults. Bring a packed lunch and the day costs you nothing beyond the car park.
Bournemouth beach — 20 minutes away
Seven miles of sandy beach, safe shallow water, and all the food and entertainment of Bournemouth town. The beach itself is free. It is one of the most visited stretches of coastline in England, and for good reason. On a warm day it is hard to beat for children of any age.
Monkey World — a full day with rescued primates
Monkey World, near Wareham, is home to more than 240 rescued and endangered monkeys and apes. During the summer it runs daily activity trails, craft sessions in the Activity Centre, and three large play areas. Open every day from 10am to 5pm. Booking tickets online in advance is cheaper than paying at the gate.
Kingston Lacy — National Trust estate near Wimborne
Kingston Lacy is less than 15 minutes from Meadow View. During the summer school holidays it runs a themed programme of outdoor family activities in the Kitchen Garden, including building, puppet-making, nature activities, and a dedicated area for children under five. Free for National Trust members; standard admission for non-members.
Charmouth beach — fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast
Charmouth is a short drive along the coast and one of the best places in England for finding real fossils on the beach. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre runs guided fossil walks and seashore safaris during the summer (charges apply, booking advisable). The beach walk itself is free and the fossils you find are yours to keep.
Budget tip: If you plan to visit Kingston Lacy more than once, or if you are visiting any other National Trust properties during your trip, a family National Trust membership pays for itself quickly during the summer holidays, when events are running daily.
Practical ways to keep the cost down
The biggest cost on a summer family break is almost always accommodation. Staying at Meadow View rather than in a seafront hotel or rented cottage saves most families a meaningful amount per night while giving considerably more space, a kitchen to cook in, and a genuinely quiet environment.
- Book early summer safari tent and static caravan dates at Meadow View fill up quickly, particularly for July and August. Booking before May gives you the best choice of dates and accommodation.
- Cook on site most evenings the kitchenettes, barbecues, and firepit areas make it easy to eat well without the cost of a restaurant every night. A big shop at a supermarket on arrival goes a long way.
- Mix free and paid days Moors Valley, Bournemouth beach, and walks along the coast or through the New Forest are free or very low cost. Spread one or two paid attractions across the week rather than visiting them every day.
- Book paid attractions in advance Monkey World and others offer noticeably cheaper tickets online than at the entrance on the day.
Book your Dorset summer break
A summer family holiday in Dorset does not have to mean crowds, overpriced accommodation, or days that feel like hard work. With six different ways to stay at Meadow View from a spacious safari tent or static caravan to a simple off-grid pitch there is something here for families of every size and budget.
The stables, the open meadows, the fishing lake, and the ten-minute drive to Moors Valley make it one of the most practical and well-positioned family parks in East Dorset. Dates in July and August particularly safari tents and static caravan go quickly. If summer 2026 is on your mind, it is worth looking at availability now.
Frequent Ask Questions
When are the summer school holidays in Dorset in 2026?
Most Dorset schools break up in late July 2026 and return in early September, giving children around six weeks off. Exact dates vary between schools — the Dorset Council website and your school’s own website are the best place to confirm your specific dates.
What is the best type of accommodation at Meadow View for a family of four
For a family of four, a safari tent or luxury static caravan gives the best combination of space and value. Safari tents sleep up to six and include a lounge area and private outdoor space. Static caravans offer home-like comfort with a full kitchen, which makes self-catering easy and significantly reduces the cost of eating out.
Q: Is Meadow View Country Park suitable for young children?
A: Yes. The park has on-site stables for pony walking, a petting area for younger children, a fishing lake, and wide open meadow space. It is a calm, green environment with plenty of room for children of all ages — including toddlers — to play safely. Dogs are welcome year-round.
What are the best free things to do in Dorset with children?
The best free days out near Meadow View include Moors Valley Country Park (free entry, just parking costs), Bournemouth beach, fossil hunting on the shore at Charmouth, walks through the New Forest, and the South West Coast Path. Kingston Lacy is free for National Trust members and runs special activities throughout the summer holidays.
How far is Meadow View from Bournemouth beach?
A: Meadow View Country Park is approximately 20 minutes by car from Bournemouth town centre and its beaches. It is also around 20 minutes from the New Forest National Park and 10 minutes from Moors Valley Country Park.
Q: Can I bring a touring caravan or motorhome to Meadow View?
A: Yes. Meadow View has more than 300 off-grid pitches for tents, touring caravans, and motorhomes. These are non-electric pitches in an open meadow setting. Check-in for camping pitches is from midday.
Q: Is Meadow View Country Park open during the summer school holidays?
A: Yes. Meadow View is open year-round, including throughout the summer school holidays from July to September. The stables, fishing lake, petting area, and Barnhouse Bar (open on weekends from 5pm) are all available during this period.