Funworld Amusements

Funworld Amusements sits just outside Swanage and is the sort of place that keeps kids entertained for a solid afternoon without breaking the bank. It's an amusement arcade and fairground setup - think bumper cars, go-karts, rides and games rather than a sprawling theme park. The setting is fairly standard seaside resort fare, but it does the job well enough if you're staying nearby and the weather's dodgy.

Families with younger children will get the most mileage here. The rides are geared toward the under-12s crowd, and there's enough variety that you won't hear too many complaints about boredom within the first hour or two. Teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're into the arcade games. The go-kart track is probably the highlight if you've got kids old enough to drive them safely.

Access is easy from Swanage Bay View Holiday Park, which sits barely a mile away - you could walk it in decent weather or take the car for five minutes. Ulwell Holiday Park is similarly close. If you're camping at Woodyhyde or Burnbake further out, it's still only a short drive.

Practically speaking, it's the sort of place where you'll need to budget for tokens or wristbands - nothing's free, but individual rides are affordable. Allow two to three hours maximum unless your kids are seriously into arcade games. Go on a weekday afternoon if you can, as weekends get properly rammed with school groups and family parties.