Matt’s guidebook
Neighbourhoods
Shops, bars and restaurants.
Westbourne is right on the doorstep just walk out of the door and down Alum Chine Rd. 2mins.
We think it's the nicest area that is close to Bournemouth centre and the beach.
There are restaurants, pubs, bars, delicatessens, off-licences, cafés, food stores and independent shops.
Westbourne arcade was built during 1884 and 1885 by Henry Joy, it's described as a “well-preserved polychrome Gothic shopping arcade”.
It is a mix of gift shops and cafés, plus the UK’s smallest cinema, ‘Bournemouth Colosseum’, with only 19 seats!
The best place for fish and chips is Chez Fred, there is a superb bakers called Petit Prince.
62 locals recommend
Westbourne
Westbourne is right on the doorstep just walk out of the door and down Alum Chine Rd. 2mins.
We think it's the nicest area that is close to Bournemouth centre and the beach.
There are restaurants, pubs, bars, delicatessens, off-licences, cafés, food stores and independent shops.
Westbourne arcade was built during 1884 and 1885 by Henry Joy, it's described as a “well-preserved polychrome Gothic shopping arcade”.
It is a mix of gift shops and cafés, plus the UK’s smallest cinema, ‘Bournemouth Colosseum’, with only 19 seats!
The best place for fish and chips is Chez Fred, there is a superb bakers called Petit Prince.
Sightseeing
This is a favourite of ours for family walks, its stunning.
It's about 6 miles from the house past Southbourne beach.
You can park up and walk along the coast to the spit between the sea and Christchurch harbour and see the most expensive beach huts in the world.
There is a food court and restaurant at the end of the spit and a ferry across to Mudeford on the other side, where you can go crabbing or have a beer and some seafood in the pub.
It's a no car zone which is great, if you get tired there is a noddy train that will take you back to the car park.
If you do one walk I would choose this, I love it.
264 locals recommend
Hengistbury Head
This is a favourite of ours for family walks, its stunning.
It's about 6 miles from the house past Southbourne beach.
You can park up and walk along the coast to the spit between the sea and Christchurch harbour and see the most expensive beach huts in the world.
There is a food court and restaurant at the end of the spit and a ferry across to Mudeford on the other side, where you can go crabbing or have a beer and some seafood in the pub.
It's a no car zone which is great, if you get tired there is a noddy train that will take you back to the car park.
If you do one walk I would choose this, I love it.
Superb day out.
We often go with the kids and friends, it's great.
You can just park up and walk the forrest trails with huge wooden structures along the way for kids to play on or go for the tree rope walk with zip lines.
There is a miniature steam train and play grounds and food trucks and restaurant or picnic benches if you take your own food.
You can also book off road Segway experiences.
A great easy day out connecting with nature.
262 locals recommend
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Horton RoadSuperb day out.
We often go with the kids and friends, it's great.
You can just park up and walk the forrest trails with huge wooden structures along the way for kids to play on or go for the tree rope walk with zip lines.
There is a miniature steam train and play grounds and food trucks and restaurant or picnic benches if you take your own food.
You can also book off road Segway experiences.
A great easy day out connecting with nature.
Turn right out of Cleveland House, and you’ll find a lovely 15 min walk (according to google maps) through Alum chine, a wooded area leading to the beautiful tropical gardens and beaches.
You arrive at a pirate playground set just off the beach where you can sit outside Vesuvio with a cold beer and watch the kids play.
They do great wood fired pizza too.
We take the kids here loads, it's great. You walk down a leafy tree lined dingly dell and pop out at the beach. Magical !
If you only leave the house to one thing, make it this.
42 locals recommend
Alum Chine Beach
West Undercliff PromenadeTurn right out of Cleveland House, and you’ll find a lovely 15 min walk (according to google maps) through Alum chine, a wooded area leading to the beautiful tropical gardens and beaches.
You arrive at a pirate playground set just off the beach where you can sit outside Vesuvio with a cold beer and watch the kids play.
They do great wood fired pizza too.
We take the kids here loads, it's great. You walk down a leafy tree lined dingly dell and pop out at the beach. Magical !
If you only leave the house to one thing, make it this.
This is great. Its a 12min drive or 21min bike ride which we would recommend as you can ride along the beach if you have a bike or get a hire bike or scooter.
The ferry goes back and forth from Sandbanks to Studland beach.
It is stunning.
There are beaches and walks on the harbour side and the seaside.
Shell bay restaurant, Knoll beach, Studland naturist beach, Studland heath nature reserve.
Look out for Knoll beach cafe and middle beach cafe for refreshment stops.
Further along is The Pig - on the beach which has a top restaurant or a cheaper outdoor pizza and flat bread hut.
Next to this is the Banks Arms - beer and food indoors or out.
If in the car you can carry on to Swanage or Corfe castle.
12 locals recommend
Sandbanks Terminal station
This is great. Its a 12min drive or 21min bike ride which we would recommend as you can ride along the beach if you have a bike or get a hire bike or scooter.
The ferry goes back and forth from Sandbanks to Studland beach.
It is stunning.
There are beaches and walks on the harbour side and the seaside.
Shell bay restaurant, Knoll beach, Studland naturist beach, Studland heath nature reserve.
Look out for Knoll beach cafe and middle beach cafe for refreshment stops.
Further along is The Pig - on the beach which has a top restaurant or a cheaper outdoor pizza and flat bread hut.
Next to this is the Banks Arms - beer and food indoors or out.
If in the car you can carry on to Swanage or Corfe castle.