The beautifully landscaped grounds are a great place for children to have an adventure in, and experience a real sense of freedom. There are seven acres to explore including a nature trail and a willow den. Making new friends is almost inevitable, including Tess the village cat.
Whilst a lovely baby and pre-school bolt-hole Greenwood Grange is also great for older children too. There’s the games room with table football, bar billiards, table tennis, books, toys and plenty of DVDs to borrow. Outside we have a trampoline, football nets and swing, as well as a full size play cabin full of games and toys. And the whole family can enjoy the tennis courts, badminton and croquet.
A highlight is always collecting the hens’ eggs, and picking the seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs in the kitchen garden. As well as stocking a few family essentials on site. And in the school holidays there are often special activities laid on (please check what will be available on booking).
The team would be happy to recommend family-friendly attractions and activities. Weymouth and its wonderful beach is just a 20-minute drive, so when you can drag yourself away from our own amenities there are plenty more to be found nearby.
Village notices
High chairs, stair gates, baby baths, bed guards, night-lights, bath mats, Changing mats, Black out blinds, Toddler steps, Baby baths, Waterproof mattress protectors, plastic cutlery and crockery are also available. Travel cots can be provided (larger properties have wooden cots). Supermarket deliveries are welcome.
99.8% of Baby-friendly Boltholes customers would recommend staying at Greenwood Grange based on post-stay guest surveys.
Things to do
This corner of England really does turn dreams into wonderful memories and is great for families…
Thorncombe Woods is literally next door and is criss-crossed with trails and tracks, perfect for a picnic or bike ride. In the school holidays the Dorset Forest School run playschemes there. You can sign up for the 4-7 year old group or the bushcraft club for 8 years and older. Check here for dates, times and prices.
Equally close (just a few hundred yards) is the cob and thatch cottage where Thomas Hardy was born. A must for the GCSE students in your party! The National Trust recommend two walking trails that go through Thorncombe Woods and take in some of the places explored by Hardy and included in his writing. There are two routes, one just 15 minutes long.
There’s also their amazing Discovery Trail. This National Trust map shows just what a fantastic experience children (and grown-ups!) can look forward to as you follow in Thomas Hardy’s footsteps.
Dorchester is a three-minute car journey. Here you’ll find a Dinosaur Museum and Teddy Bear Museum.
The award-winning Farmer Palmers Farm Park in Organford, near Poole will easily provide entertainment for a whole day, and more. Aimed at 0-8 year olds, you can meet the real Farmer Palmer! There are pigs, ponies, lambs, cow milking, tractor trailer rides, a splash zone, a straw mountain and a full daily timetable of hands-on animal events. It’s a great attraction whatever the weather.
In fact there are plenty of indoor and outdoor places to have fun, including soft play areas. You can explore a number of them here on the Day out with Kids website.
Then there’s Monkey World and the Tank Museum both firm favourites.
Finally, not forgetting England’s famous Jurassic Coast is just a few miles from Greenwood Grange where families can spend many a happy hour hunting for fossils and peeking into rock pools.
