A holiday park that has recently undergone a refurbishment, offering facilities including a relaxing spa, could be the perfect option for your May half-term break. Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park & Spa is set on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, renowned for its long stretches of unspoilt coastline, providing an incredible base for seafront walks. The park offers direct access to the sand and shingle of Bowleaze Cove, which connects to Weymouth's iconic, nearly three-mile-long beach. The walk to the centre of Weymouth takes around an hour, passing the open water and salt marshes of RSPB Lodmoor, a haven for birds and wildlife.
Facilities and Activities
The shape of Bowleaze Cove means you can usually swim at low tide, with shallow waters as you paddle out. Staying at the holiday park grants access to its indoor pool featuring a waterslide and splash zone, as well as a seasonal outdoor pool heated to 29C, open from spring through to the end of summer. The park also boasts a sleek coastal-themed spa where you can relax and enjoy facilities such as a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and rainforest shower. Guests can either book an hour or two of spa access or choose from treatments like massages, facials, and reflexology.
For little ones, there are two outdoor play zones and an indoor soft play area in case the British weather takes a turn. The park is also right next to Southside Funfair, which opens seasonally, usually during the summer and school holidays. It features classic funfair rides from a carousel to dodgems and a cups and saucers ride. Tickets for three hours of unlimited rides cost £15.95, or £9.95 for kids under one metre tall.
Nearby Attractions
Weymouth is just down the road, offering a classic seaside family-friendly vibe. Explore the cliffside castle ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, dating back to the 16th century, which provides incredible views across Weymouth Bay. SEA LIFE Weymouth is another day out that kids will love, divided into zones including Seal Harbour and Fairy Penguin Island. Its ocean tunnel has been reimagined into the Night & Day Ocean Experience, showing how the sea changes throughout a single day.
If you've tried building sandcastles and found them somewhat uninspiring, head to Sandworld Weymouth to see what can be achieved with sand and patience. This unique gallery features huge sand sculptures, including changing displays themed on everything from Shrek to The Traitors. Kids can even take a turn in the sandpit to make their own creations. Nearby, visit the unique Abbotsbury Swannery, an 11th-century monastery turned into a home for over 600 swans. The swans were once farmed for food, but nowadays they nest peacefully in this serene coastal location.
Find out more about Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park & Spa on its official website or book via Hoseasons.
