Easter Holidays 2026 in Dorset
If you are lucky enough to have some time off over Easter this year, there are a variety of things happening in Dorset to keep you occupied.
- A great venue offering Easter-filled activities come rain or shine, Rock Reef has the parents covered for Easter this year. Go on an adventure through the pier caves, slide down their vertical drop slide or enjoy a climb on one of the array of Clip 'n Climb walls – the fun never stops!!
- Enjoy a fun-filled guided paddle with New Forest Activities, along the Beaulieu River in stable 'Canadian style' canoes. Hunt for chocolate eggs along the riverside – an Easter hunt with a difference! A scenic, active and enjoyable activity for everyone to join in with. Dates throughout April 2026.
- Easter Adventures at Kingston Lacy this Spring. Make your way to the Easter adventure field and find egg-cellent activities for the whole family. Taking place throughout April.
Keep an eye out for the hidden eggs on your travels with Swanage Railway! Hop aboard for Easter fun with the Peter Rabbit Easter Experience. Then it's over to you to spot the missing eggs during your journey. Step aboard one of their heritage steam trains and enjoy a springtime journey through the Isle of Purbeck – with the Peter Rabbit experience included in the train ticket.
- Get Up & Bounce in the Walled Garden at Upton Country Park.
Celebrate Easter with bouncy fun play in the Walled Garden. Suitable for all ages up to 10 years old. No booking available – just turn up on the day. Daily from Mon 30 March to Wed 8 April, 11am–4pm.
Why not book a break here at The Riviera Hotel for you and your family this Easter?
Bournemouth is an ideal location for family holidays and Alum Chine makes it even better. Alum Chine is famous for its Blue Flag award-winning sandy beach, its beautiful wooded valley of the Chine spanned by a splendid and excitingly bouncy suspension bridge, and its Green Flag award-winning Alum Chine Tropical Gardens.
Alum Chine is close to the chic shopping arcade and eateries of Westbourne and is a mere 20-minute stroll along the promenade to Bournemouth Pier and town centre in one direction – or to the famous Sandbanks and Poole Harbour in the other.
In the Bournemouth direction alone, there are seven miles of golden sands and blue sea and, in the summer months, you can even take a trip on the Bournemouth land train.
The Chine – which is just a minute's walk from the Riviera – is a great place to explore, climb trees or make camps, and the area offers lots of opportunity for healthy outdoor fun. Branksome Dene Chine is just as close to the Riviera and offers similar adventure and interest.
The Riviera is wonderfully situated for the Chines and is conveniently centrally located between Bournemouth and Poole for all the other activities and attractions that both towns have to offer.
We offer a variety of family rooms sleeping from 3–5 people. We also have interconnecting rooms available if you want that bit more space.
To make your life easier and to travel that bit lighter, we can supply cots and highchairs and have a limited amount of toddler steps, toddler bed guards and toilet seats available. Plus, children under 3 go FREE when staying with their parents. Just ask our reception team for more details.
With our large indoor pool, spa bath, free Wi-Fi and Children's Games Room including:
- Pool Table
- Table Tennis Table
- Foosball Table
- Board Games and more…
There is always plenty to do around the hotel – which is why we can count five generations of some families returning to the Riviera year after year.
While you're visiting us, if you enjoy taking in all the beautiful views around Dorset, why not visit some of these wonderful places:
Durdle Door is one of the most photographed and iconic landmarks in Dorset. It is located within the Lulworth Estate, which is part of South Dorset and also forms part of the Jurassic Coast.
Durdle Door's beautiful limestone arch was formed from powerful waves that eroded the rock, creating a hole in the middle. When looking out to sea, you will see the beach to the right, with access to the pebble and shingle beach via a path and steps.
The New Forest is a unique destination, offering charm and natural beauty. Back in 2005, the New Forest became a National Park and was once a royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror.
It covers an area of 566 square kilometres, made up of luscious woodland, heathlands and river valleys. Today, deer, ponies and cattle roam free in these heaths and woodlands, offering pure tranquillity for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Lyme Regis boasts breathtaking scenery and a special appeal, making it a sparkling resort for all seasons.
Whatever your age and whatever the time of year, you can be sure to find something to delight and entertain you. Escape the bustle of Lyme and step back in time to explore the Town Mill. Nestling around this cobbled courtyard, its restored mill buildings house a variety of attractions.
The picturesque and tranquil Lyme Regis is a great place to discover UK's heritage.
