Southside Funfair

Southside Funfair sits on the small shingle beach at Bowleaze Cove on the Dorset coast, a short drive from Weymouth town. Formerly known as Fantasy Island Fun Park, it is a compact amusement park aimed mainly at younger children, with a set of traditional fairground rides such as a spinning teapot, a big wheel, a helter skelter, bumper cars and flying elephants. Older children and adults tend to head for the ghost train, which the operator promotes as one of the scariest in the country. An indoor soft play area with several slides suits toddlers and under-tens, and a large amusement arcade with modern games and prize machines keeps older children busy in wet weather. There is a restaurant and a beach bar on site, and the operator takes bookings for children's birthday parties. Rides are checked against height limits, so it is worth looking at the stated requirements before buying wristbands.