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Family Days Out Dorset: Why Training at Precious Memories Can Be a Family Trip Too
Thinking about travelling to Dorset for training but wondering what you’ll do about the family?
You don’t have to choose between learning a new skill and spending time with the people you love.
If you’re travelling to Precious Memories for 1:1 lifecasting training, why not bring them with you and turn your training trip into a few days away in Dorset?
My private studio is in Lytchett Matravers, around 15 minutes from Poole and 30 minutes from Bournemouth, surrounded by beaches, countryside, family attractions and beautiful coastal areas.
Your training day is yours — but the rest of the trip can be a family adventure.
A Trip That Works for Everyone
You could arrive on Friday, spend the weekend exploring Dorset together, train with me on Monday, and have another morning together before heading home.
So instead of thinking: “I’d love to train, but it’s too far to travel with the family.”
Think: “Why not make the training part of our holiday?”
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Training and Family Time
I completely understand that travelling somewhere for training can feel like a big commitment, particularly if you’re travelling several hours or even coming from another country.
That’s one of the reasons I love the fact that my training is private and 1:1. Training days always take place on weekdays — never weekends — so it’s easy to plan a weekend of family time either side of your session.
You’re not travelling to sit in a classroom for several days with a group of students. You’re coming to my private studio for focused, hands-on training — and you can build the rest of your trip around that.
Your partner can enjoy the local area while you’re training, or you can bring the children and make a proper family break of it. The training is the reason you came to Dorset. It doesn’t have to be the only reason.
What Can Your Family Do While You’re Training?
Training days currently run from 9:30am to 3:30pm, giving you a full day of hands-on learning.
That means your family doesn’t need to sit around waiting for you to finish. Depending on their ages and interests, they could spend the day exploring Poole, visiting an attraction, heading to the beach, walking along the coast or simply enjoying a relaxed day together before you all meet up afterwards.
Because my studio has free parking, travelling by car makes it particularly easy to combine your training with family days out. And if you’re staying for several nights, you have the whole weekend and your evenings to enjoy together.
So, What Is There to Do in Dorset With Kids?
Dorset has an enormous amount to offer families, from beaches and castles to farm parks, wildlife and woodland adventures. I’ve chosen these because they’re particularly relevant if you’re staying around Lytchett Matravers, Poole or Bournemouth.
1. Poole Harbour & Brownsea Island
A lovely option if you want to stay relatively close to the studio. Take the ferry across to Brownsea Island and explore the woodland and coastal paths, with the chance to spot red squirrels. Best for: A relaxed family day close to Poole.
2. Monkey World
Home to rescued and endangered apes and monkeys in Wareham — interesting for adults too, making it a great mixed-age choice. Best for: Animal-loving families.
3. Corfe Castle
One of Dorset’s most recognisable landmarks. Dramatic ruins, plus a village that makes it easy to turn into a full day out. Best for: Older children, history lovers and families who enjoy exploring.
4. Studland Bay
Sandy beaches, dunes, coastal walks and beautiful views — perfect for a picnic and a slower family day. Best for: Beach walks, picnics and exploring.
5. Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
Particularly good for younger children, with animals, indoor and outdoor play and tractor rides. Best for: Toddlers and younger children.
6. Bournemouth Beach & Pier
The classic British seaside experience — beach, pier, amusements and plenty of places to eat. Best for: A full family day by the coast.
7. Weymouth Beach
Sandy beach, shallow bathing waters and a lively seafront. Best for: A classic seaside day.
8. Moors Valley Country Park
Walking and cycling trails, woodland activities and Go Ape experiences for different ages and abilities. Best for: Active families.
9. Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
Something a little different, with rescued heavy horses, farm activities and space to explore. Best for: Younger children and animal lovers.
10. Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park
A useful rainy-day option, with penguins, seals and other marine life. Best for: A wet-weather family day.
The Best Days Out Depending on Your Children’s Ages
One of the nice things about Dorset is that you don’t have to plan your whole trip around one particular type of attraction.
Toddlers and younger children will love Farmer Palmer’s, the beaches, and Brownsea Island.
Primary-school children tend to enjoy Monkey World, Corfe Castle, Moors Valley and Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park.
Older children and teenagers often prefer Bournemouth, Moors Valley, coastal walks and the wider Purbeck area for more adventure.
And if you have children of different ages, there are plenty of attractions where everyone can find something to enjoy.
What If It Rains?
This is Dorset, after all — so it’s worth having a plan B.
Although the beaches and coastline are a huge part of what makes Dorset special, there are plenty of attractions and activities that don’t depend on sunshine. SEA LIFE Weymouth, indoor play centres, museums, cafés and attractions around Poole and Bournemouth can all provide alternatives when the weather isn’t cooperating.
You don’t have to gamble your entire family trip on sunshine.
Make It a Long Weekend
If you’re travelling any distance for training, I’d encourage you to think beyond simply coming down for the course and going straight home. Why not make it a short family break?
Training days are always weekdays, so imagine your trip looking like this:
- Friday: Travel to Dorset, settle into your accommodation and have dinner together
- Saturday: Family day out — beach, farm park or one of Dorset’s attractions
- Sunday: Another Dorset adventure, or explore Poole and Bournemouth
- Monday: Your 1:1 training day with me
- Tuesday: Have breakfast together, perhaps enjoy one more morning out, then travel home
Your itinerary will depend on where you’re travelling from, your training course and the ages of your children — but you can make the trip work around your family.
How Long Should You Stay?
If you’re travelling several hours to Dorset for a one-day course, staying for a few nights can make the journey feel much more worthwhile.
For a one-day training course, three or four nights could give you plenty of time to enjoy Dorset without feeling rushed. For a two-day course, a longer stay gives you the opportunity to enjoy some family time before or after your training. And if you’re travelling for a three-day course, you may want to add a couple of extra nights so you’re not simply travelling home immediately after finishing.
There’s no set formula — it’s about making the trip work for you.
Where Should You Stay?
There are accommodation options around Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Wareham, Sandbanks and Bournemouth, depending on what you’d like to do while you’re here.
If you’re bringing children, you may prefer somewhere with parking, a kitchen or more space. Travelling alone tends to suit staying closer to Poole or Bournemouth, where you can enjoy the restaurants and evening atmosphere.
I’m always happy to point you towards local accommodation options when you enquire about training.
What If You’re Coming Without the Family?
Of course, you don’t have to bring your family.
If you’re travelling to Dorset on your own, you can still make a trip of it. You could arrive the day before, enjoy an evening around Poole or Bournemouth, complete your training, and stay another night to explore the area before travelling home.
Dorset is a lovely place to spend a little time away from your normal routine — whether that’s walking along the coast, exploring the Purbecks, having lunch overlooking the harbour or simply enjoying some quiet time after a busy training day.
Why I Love Teaching Students Who Travel to Dorset
I’ve had students travel to me from across the UK and internationally for training. Some come on their own. Some bring their partner. Others turn their training into a proper family holiday. And I think there’s something rather lovely about that.
You’re coming to Dorset to learn a new professional skill — something that could eventually become a new business or income stream for you. But you’re also getting the chance to spend a few days somewhere different with the people you love.
There’s something quite fitting about travelling to Precious Memories to learn how to create keepsakes for other families, while making some memories of your own at the same time. You’re not just coming to Dorset for a course. You’re creating a little story around it.
You Don’t Have to Travel Alone
If you’ve been considering training with Precious Memories but the thought of travelling alone has been holding you back, perhaps it doesn’t need to.
Bring your partner. Bring the children. Make a weekend of it.
Spend a day learning something that could change your working life, then spend the evening walking along the beach, having dinner together or exploring somewhere you’ve never been before.
Come for the training. Stay for Dorset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family come with me to Dorset while I train?
Absolutely. Your training itself is private 1:1, but there’s no reason your partner or family can’t come to Dorset with you. Many students turn their training into a short family break, with their family exploring the area while they’re with me.
What will my family do while I’m training?
There are plenty of options within easy reach of the studio, including Poole Harbour, beaches, attractions, cafés and local walks. What works best will depend on the ages and interests of your family.
How long does training take?
Training days run from 9:30am to 3:30pm, always on weekdays. Courses can be one, two or three days depending on what you’re learning.
How far is the studio from Poole and Bournemouth?
The studio is in Lytchett Matravers, around 15 minutes from Poole and 30 minutes from Bournemouth, with free parking on-site.
Is there somewhere to stay near the studio?
Yes, there are accommodation options in and around Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Wareham, Sandbanks and Bournemouth. I’m always happy to point you towards local options when you enquire.
Can I make a holiday out of my training trip?
Absolutely — and that’s exactly what this article is about. If you’re travelling any distance for training, why not use the opportunity to explore Dorset and spend some time with your family too?
Thinking About Training in Dorset?
Precious Memories offers private 1:1 lifecasting and hand casting training from my studio in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset. Training includes baby casting, hand casting, family casting, pet casting, memorial work, belly bump casting and other specialist lifecasting techniques, with training from £550. Students travel from across the UK and internationally for the private, hands-on experience.
Find out more about lifecasting training in Dorset
If you’re thinking about coming to Dorset for training and would like some help planning your trip, just ask. I’m always happy to point you towards the local area and help you make the most of your visit.
Email: info@precious-memories.co.uk
Phone: 07738 165146