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GO WILD at Lulworth Castle Review – One of Dorset’s Best Value Family Days Out This Half Term

If you’re searching for things to do in Dorset with kids this May half term, we’ve found a family day out that genuinely delivers incredible value for money while keeping children of all ages entertained for hours.

We recently visited the GO WILD half term event at Lulworth Castle with our children aged 8, 5 and 4, along with my niece, and it ended up being one of those rare days where absolutely everyone enjoyed themselves - children and adults included.

Set within the beautiful grounds of Lulworth Castle near Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, this special half term event combines live animal shows, castle exploration, outdoor play, trails, games and crafts, all included within the standard admission price. We couldn’t believe how much was included for the cost.

A Brilliant Value Family Day Out in Dorset

With ticket prices at just £9 for adults, £8 for seniors and £6 for children (under 4s go free), GO WILD at Lulworth Castle is one of the best value family attractions in Dorset this half term.

Unlike many attractions where every extra activity comes with an additional charge, almost everything here is included in your entry ticket.

That means:

Entry into the historic castle
Access to the tower with incredible countryside views
Live MAD 4 ANIMALS shows (twice daily at 12 and 14.00 - you don't want to miss this!)
Woodland playground access
Garden games
Indoor arts and crafts
GO WILD quiz books
Animal hunts
Prize competitions (3 up for grabs!)
Access to the beautiful grounds and café

We spent over four hours there and easily could have stayed longer.

The MAD 4 ANIMALS Show Was a Huge Hit

The absolute highlight for the children was the live MAD 4 ANIMALS critter show, which takes place daily at 12pm and 2pm.

The show was funny, interactive and genuinely engaging for all ages. The team had the children completely captivated from start to finish while introducing them to an incredible range of animals including:

Snakes
Tarantulas
Lizards
Giant African Snails
Scorpions
Hissing Cockroaches

There was loads of audience participation, comedy and opportunities to get involved, which made it feel much more immersive than your average animal encounter.

Even as adults, we found ourselves completely drawn into it.

Exploring Lulworth Castle

After the animal show, we spent time exploring the castle itself, which is absolutely stunning.

The children loved climbing the tower and reaching the top to take in the breathtaking panoramic views across the Dorset countryside. On a sunny day especially, the scenery is incredible and makes for a lovely moment to slow down and appreciate the surroundings.

The castle adds another layer to the experience because it doesn’t just feel like a playground or activity centre — it feels like a proper day out with history, scenery and space to explore.

Perfect for Children of Different Ages

One thing we really noticed during our visit was how well the event worked for different age groups.

With children aged 4, 5 and 8 in our group, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained. The younger children loved the playground, crafts and animal encounters, while the older children enjoyed the quizzes, hunts and castle exploration.

The GO WILD quiz books and animal trails were particularly popular and gave the children something fun to focus on throughout the day, especially with the excitement of prizes up for grabs.

A Relaxed Day for Adults Too

What made the day even better was how relaxed and friendly the whole environment felt.

There was plenty of space for the children to run around safely, which meant us adults actually had the opportunity to sit down with a coffee, enjoy a catch-up and properly recharge too.

The woodland playground was fantastic for burning off energy, while the café offered drinks, lunches and cakes in a lovely setting.

It’s one of those attractions where you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed. Instead, it feels calm, welcoming and easy — exactly what many families need during the school holidays.

Lots of Parking and Easy to Combine With Other Dorset Attractions

Another big plus is the parking situation.

There’s plenty of on-site parking available (£3 all day), which makes visiting far less stressful than many coastal attractions during half term.

Its location also makes it perfect to combine with:

Lulworth Cove
Durdle Door
Tyneham Village
The Jurassic Coast

So if you’re planning a sunny Dorset day out during half term, you can easily turn it into a full day exploring the area.

Our Verdict

Lulworth Castle’s GO WILD half term event exceeded our expectations.

It’s affordable, incredibly well organised and packed with activities that genuinely entertain children for hours. From the live animal shows and castle tower views to the playgrounds, games and crafts, there’s a huge amount included for the price.

Most importantly, it’s enjoyable for the adults too - something every parent appreciates during school holidays.

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