Granby Fun Factory

Indoor play centres often feel like afterthoughts, but this one near Weymouth actually delivers proper entertainment for families with young children. The soft play equipment is well-maintained and there's enough variety to keep toddlers and primary school kids engaged for a good couple of hours. What sets it apart is the themed areas - pirates and jungle adventures that actually look the part rather than tired foam blocks painted garish colours.

Families staying at nearby Chesil Beach Lodge Park will find this a godsend on rainy days, and it's close enough to the coast that you can combine indoor fun with beach time when the weather's decent. The café serves reasonable coffee and basic snacks, though don't expect gourmet fare.

Kids under eight get the most from it - older children might find themselves a bit bored after an hour. The pricing seems fair for what you get, and there's proper parking which is always a relief when you're wrestling with buggies and excited children. It's particularly useful if you're camping at one of the many parks dotted around this stretch of the Dorset coast and need somewhere to burn off energy when the British weather doesn't cooperate.