Tim's Guidebook
Walks
good place for a walk and views and some nice country pubs nearby though scary if kids are disobedient near cliff edges. Have cash for car park if you are not a National Trust member. Leave early (be at sandbanks before 11am) to get on chain ferry or go other route
152 locals recommend
Old Harry Rocks
good place for a walk and views and some nice country pubs nearby though scary if kids are disobedient near cliff edges. Have cash for car park if you are not a National Trust member. Leave early (be at sandbanks before 11am) to get on chain ferry or go other route
Hurst Castle
Walks and sightseeing and ferry.
New forest for walks and picnics. This area with neighbouring Blackwater tall trees car park are good options. Burley, Lymington or other pretty towns in New Forest would be worth a visit too.
44 locals recommend
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental DriveNew forest for walks and picnics. This area with neighbouring Blackwater tall trees car park are good options. Burley, Lymington or other pretty towns in New Forest would be worth a visit too.
Hengistbury Head
nearby walk, landtrain and scenic beach huts area
Bit of a drive but great. Good walk and can be combined with a swim at Blandord Leisure centre if poorer weather
33 locals recommend
Hambledon Hill
Bit of a drive but great. Good walk and can be combined with a swim at Blandord Leisure centre if poorer weather
Compton Acres
164 Canford Cliffs Rdnice walk short car journey away from home. should see horses and maybe some rabbits
Stanpit Recreation Ground
14 Asquith Clnice walk short car journey away from home. should see horses and maybe some rabbits
St Catherine’s Hill
Sandy Lanescenic walk with views when follow path along hillside edge
Durlston Castle
Lighthouse RoadScenic clifftop walk
Food Scene
Urban Reef - Seafront Restaurant in Bournemouth
Undercliff Drivescenic
The Jetty
95 Mudefordlovely outlook
Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant
Ferry Roadfood
The Boathouse
Quay Roadfood
NEO Restaurant
Exeter Roadfood in Bournemouth
The Pig on the Beach
Manor Roadpub food, country location
Restaurant Roots
141 Belle Vue Rdfood
Harbour Heights Hotel
73 Haven RdHoliday Outlook
The Larder House
4 Southbourne Grovefood
Renoufs Cheese and Wine Bar
201 Seabourne Roadfood Southbourne
Ludo Lounge
34 Southbourne Groverelaxed food for family
TWELVE EATERY
12 The Trianglevegetarian/vegan
South Beach Restaurant & Bar
Food/holiday vibe
Koh Lounge
38- 40 Poole Hillfood
The Mandarin Fusion
196-198 Old Christchurch RdChinese
Makla Deli
217 Seabourne Rdlocal
Rick Stein, Sandbanks
10-14 Banks Rdfood
Sobo Beach
Market style food place walkable , sometimes has DJ playing in the evening
Children
rides suitable for all family though best for younger children. pretty failsafe day out for kids. look online if can find offers as full price entry isn't cheap
360 locals recommend
Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World
rides suitable for all family though best for younger children. pretty failsafe day out for kids. look online if can find offers as full price entry isn't cheap
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
Longthornskids
Swanage Railway Norden Station
steam train, combine with Swanage and corfe castle
walks through New Forest and play areas for children
262 locals recommend
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Horton Roadwalks through New Forest and play areas for children
Go Ape Moors Valley
Horton Roadactive/teens
combine with Pier, beach and Bournemouth gardens (crazy golf?). There is also a children's play area turning right from the Square (Tesco's) next to the tennis centre if you have kids (you'd otherwise probably just go left towards pier).
115 locals recommend
Oceanarium
Pier Approachcombine with Pier, beach and Bournemouth gardens (crazy golf?). There is also a children's play area turning right from the Square (Tesco's) next to the tennis centre if you have kids (you'd otherwise probably just go left towards pier).
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Wareham Roadkids
Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre & Snowsports Shop
Matchams Lanekids activities
Nice spot for little walk and kids spotting fairy houses along the gardens. Decent play area too, normally not too busy.
41 locals recommend
Furzey Gardens
School LaneNice spot for little walk and kids spotting fairy houses along the gardens. Decent play area too, normally not too busy.
Splashdown
Tower Parkkids
Christchurch Priory, boat hire, play area and riverside walk is pleasant
12 locals recommend
The Quomps Splashpark
39A Wick LnChristchurch Priory, boat hire, play area and riverside walk is pleasant
RockReef
Bournemouth pier activity
good value simple place that small children may enjoy.
14 locals recommend
Bournemouth Aviation Museum
Merritown Lanegood value simple place that small children may enjoy.
Sightseeing
Durdle Door
Fantastic spot. Lulworth Cove is short walk and to be combined.
Corfe Castle
sights
The Blue Pool
Furzebrook Roadscenic
circular Jurassic cruise Harry's rocks, Swanage and back to Poole harbour
14 locals recommend
City Cruises Poole
The Quaycircular Jurassic cruise Harry's rocks, Swanage and back to Poole harbour
good little spot nearby where you can hire a boat for a little trip down the river
35 locals recommend
Tuckton Tea Gardens
Belle Vue Roadgood little spot nearby where you can hire a boat for a little trip down the river
This abandoned village is better than the photos here look and the beach is great!
67 locals recommend
Tyneham Village
This abandoned village is better than the photos here look and the beach is great!
Beaches
Southbourne Beachfront
On your doorstep
beach and maybe even better is across water on chain ferry studland. perfect for children as stays shallow
121 locals recommend
Sandbanks Beach
Banks Roadbeach and maybe even better is across water on chain ferry studland. perfect for children as stays shallow
Great beach, just need to get to the chain ferry early to avoid worst queues.
69 locals recommend
Studland
Great beach, just need to get to the chain ferry early to avoid worst queues.
Mudeford Sandbank
scenic
Highcliffe Castle
Rothesay DriveKimmeridge Bay
Holiday feel
Hengistbury Head Beach
Nearby
Events
Right on doorstep. Sometimes this has a DJ playing so place for picnic, drink and music. Search Hush Club Bournemouth Facebook page
29 locals recommend
Cafe Riva
Boscombe Overcliff DriveRight on doorstep. Sometimes this has a DJ playing so place for picnic, drink and music. Search Hush Club Bournemouth Facebook page
Sightseeing and fireworks Friday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August 2022 at 22:00
132 locals recommend
Bournemouth Pier
Pier ApproachSightseeing and fireworks Friday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August 2022 at 22:00
Lighthouse, Poole's Centre For The Arts
21 Kingland Rd