Terracotta Warriors Museum

Full-scale replicas of China's famous terracotta army stand guard in this unexpected Dorset museum, just outside Weymouth. The collection features dozens of individually crafted warrior figures, horses, and chariots - all painstakingly recreated using traditional techniques and materials from Xi'an clay.

History buffs will love the detailed explanations of how these extraordinary sculptures were originally discovered and created over 2,000 years ago. The warriors are properly impressive up close, each with distinct facial features and battle dress that brings ancient China to vivid life. Children seem fascinated by the sheer scale and craftsmanship, though younger ones might lose interest after about an hour.

What makes this place special is the chance to see these remarkable figures without flying to China. The museum also explains the painstaking archaeological work behind the original discovery, with some excellent photography from the actual dig sites.

Location-wise, it works well for families staying at nearby holiday parks like Haven Weymouth Bay or Warmwell. The drive from Weymouth takes about ten minutes, making it an easy rainy-day option. While admission details aren't readily available, it's worth checking their website before visiting. Allow a couple of hours to do it justice - there's more here than you might expect from a specialist museum tucked away in the Dorset countryside.