Cherty Rift

The limestone cliffs around Weymouth hide several cave systems, and Cherty Rift is one of the more rewarding to explore if you can find it. It's a modest but proper little cave cut into the rock face - the sort of place where you'll need a torch and a willingness to squeeze through tight passages, though nothing catastrophic. The passage opens into small chambers with interesting geological formations, and the whole thing takes about twenty minutes if you go slowly and don't mind a bit of ducking.

You'll need to do some detective work to locate the entrance - it's not signposted from the main path, and the access details aren't widely publicised, which keeps it quieter than the more famous Portland caves nearby. The Caves of Portland website has some information, though opening times and access policies aren't entirely clear, so ring ahead or check their Google site before making the trip.

This is genuinely decent for kids who aren't claustrophobic, or for anyone interested in the geology of the Dorset coast. It's not a grand cave system - don't expect anything like Cheddar Gorge - but as a bolt-on activity while staying at Waterside or Chesil Beach Holiday Park in Weymouth, it's worth half an hour of mucking about. Wear proper shoes with grip and bring a decent torch. It's free, which helps, and the surrounding coastline is worth exploring regardless.