Santa-Fe Fun Park

The Santa-Fe Fun Park sits just outside Swanage and delivers exactly what it says on the tin - a collection of rides and attractions with a Wild West theme that'll keep kids entertained for a solid few hours. You're looking at the usual suspects: go-karts, dodgems, a log flume, and various spinning rides that get progressively more intense depending on your nerve. The theming is cheerful if not exactly elaborate, but that's part of its charm. It's the sort of place where children aged five to twelve genuinely have a blast without pretending.

The park works brilliantly as a half-day outing if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Swanage Bay View is practically on the doorstep. A morning or afternoon here, then head back for tea or into Swanage itself for the beach. Don't expect cutting-edge adrenaline; this is old-school funfair energy.

Bring cash for rides unless things have changed recently. The weather can be dodgy on the Dorset coast, so pick a decent day - queueing in the rain kills the vibe. If you've got toddlers, some rides have height restrictions, so check what they can actually go on before you arrive. It's not Alton Towers, but for a seaside park holiday with younger children, it ticks a box and gives parents a breather.