Places to go
Brilliant fun especially for the kids
This always come top of my teenage kids wish list. Book at the beginning of the trip as they discount repeat visits and you can be sure they’ll want to go again. A single session is very physical. Located near Corfe castle which is always good to tie in ( pre
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Dorset Adventure Park
This always come top of my teenage kids wish list. Book at the beginning of the trip as they discount repeat visits and you can be sure they’ll want to go again. A single session is very physical. Located near Corfe castle which is always good to tie in ( pre
These guys are so chilled friendly yet passionate and safety conscious. Great local place for Paddleboard hire as the local beaches are some of the best in the world ( ranked 5th best in Europe) so make the most of them and pitch up on lovely Branksome beach for the day ( often less busy than others and home of Shaka Surf. Often flexible with timings if not too busy and they also do good group lessons. There is pay and display carpark off Pinewood road BH13 6LP or take your chance on Sandbourne rd or Cassell avenue for free parking ( get there early for a space!)
Shaka Surf Branksome
Branksome TowersThese guys are so chilled friendly yet passionate and safety conscious. Great local place for Paddleboard hire as the local beaches are some of the best in the world ( ranked 5th best in Europe) so make the most of them and pitch up on lovely Branksome beach for the day ( often less busy than others and home of Shaka Surf. Often flexible with timings if not too busy and they also do good group lessons. There is pay and display carpark off Pinewood road BH13 6LP or take your chance on Sandbourne rd or Cassell avenue for free parking ( get there early for a space!)
If you love riding you will love the views. It is more expensive than the average hack but there is nothing average about the views or experience - beach rides and Old Harry ( Need experience - very fast) or lovely gentle hacks through the forest for beginners or risk averse.
Ferry rd Studland BH19 3AQ
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Studland Trekking Centre
Ferry RoadIf you love riding you will love the views. It is more expensive than the average hack but there is nothing average about the views or experience - beach rides and Old Harry ( Need experience - very fast) or lovely gentle hacks through the forest for beginners or risk averse.
Ferry rd Studland BH19 3AQ
This is a really educational fun day out and something to do if the weather is a bit grey. It is mostly outdoors though!
All the profits are reinvested into this sanctuary which is dedicated to the rescue of primates which are being abused across the world. The keepers are really passionate and knowledgeable and the animals in rehabilitation are clearly well cared for.
Longthornes Wareham Dorset BH206HH
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Monkey World - Centro de Rescate de Simios
LongthornsThis is a really educational fun day out and something to do if the weather is a bit grey. It is mostly outdoors though!
All the profits are reinvested into this sanctuary which is dedicated to the rescue of primates which are being abused across the world. The keepers are really passionate and knowledgeable and the animals in rehabilitation are clearly well cared for.
Longthornes Wareham Dorset BH206HH
Nice helpful guys who do a range of Watersports lessons and hire. My daughter learned to kitesurf and windsurf here. If room in the budget and you want a couple of days kids free their courses are really good. The harbour is great to learn to paddleboard as so flat.
15 Banks rd Sandbanks01202708283
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The Watersports Academy
15 Banks RdNice helpful guys who do a range of Watersports lessons and hire. My daughter learned to kitesurf and windsurf here. If room in the budget and you want a couple of days kids free their courses are really good. The harbour is great to learn to paddleboard as so flat.
15 Banks rd Sandbanks01202708283
Keep the kids quiet especially on rainy days. Part of Tower road Entertainment complex (Bowling cinemas restaurants etc)
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Splashdown
Tower ParkKeep the kids quiet especially on rainy days. Part of Tower road Entertainment complex (Bowling cinemas restaurants etc)
Good for little ones
Great for young primary age groups
Great interaction with nature including hand feeding deer and goats and the obligatory tractor ride. A good way to spend a half day.
Wareham rd Organford Poole BH16 6EU-01202 622022
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Parque de la Granja de Farmer Palmer
Wareham RoadGreat interaction with nature including hand feeding deer and goats and the obligatory tractor ride. A good way to spend a half day.
Wareham rd Organford Poole BH16 6EU-01202 622022
Young children will spend hours here in this Robert Louis Stephenson Treasure Island themed play park. Located at the end of the Chine before you get to the beach.
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Alum Chine Play Park
West Undercliff PromenadeYoung children will spend hours here in this Robert Louis Stephenson Treasure Island themed play park. Located at the end of the Chine before you get to the beach.
See Sharks, Sea Turtles, Rays and Penguins Otters plus a whole lot more. Entertaining hour or three especially if weather not too good.
The Otter enclosure is particularly cute.
At the end of the promenade by the pier
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Oceanarium
Pier ApproachSee Sharks, Sea Turtles, Rays and Penguins Otters plus a whole lot more. Entertaining hour or three especially if weather not too good.
The Otter enclosure is particularly cute.
At the end of the promenade by the pier
Nice Walks
There are some beautiful walks in Dorset if you want to escape the beach
Take the chain ferry by car or bike ( or number 50 bus from Corner of Alumhurst rd by The Libertine pub) over to Studland. For confident cyclists the views are stunning and some of the hills quite challenging but can get very busy when chain ferry unloads. We have been cycling with our daughters ( and dog running alongside) since they were 8)
Take a pit stop at Knoll beach and visit the National Trust cafe and shop. There are Watersports at this beach.
Cycle a little further to sign on left for Bankes Arms pub and Pig on the Beach. Big difference in price and food quality but good news is both have the same fabulous view.
For an equally lovely more casual more affordable meal at the Pig try the flatbread pizzas in the gardens - a lovely way to while away the afternoon before burning off the calories on the way home.
I used to pass the time here while my daughter was horse riding at local Studland stables.
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Studland Bay
Take the chain ferry by car or bike ( or number 50 bus from Corner of Alumhurst rd by The Libertine pub) over to Studland. For confident cyclists the views are stunning and some of the hills quite challenging but can get very busy when chain ferry unloads. We have been cycling with our daughters ( and dog running alongside) since they were 8)
Take a pit stop at Knoll beach and visit the National Trust cafe and shop. There are Watersports at this beach.
Cycle a little further to sign on left for Bankes Arms pub and Pig on the Beach. Big difference in price and food quality but good news is both have the same fabulous view.
For an equally lovely more casual more affordable meal at the Pig try the flatbread pizzas in the gardens - a lovely way to while away the afternoon before burning off the calories on the way home.
I used to pass the time here while my daughter was horse riding at local Studland stables.
This is a nature reserve with tea rooms and has lovely circular walks. It is located in Furzebrook Wareham BH20 9AR for sat nav.
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The Blue Pool
Furzebrook RoadThis is a nature reserve with tea rooms and has lovely circular walks. It is located in Furzebrook Wareham BH20 9AR for sat nav.
This is a lovely walk or cycle. From the Bankes Arms keep walking until you see a sign on the left directing you to a pathway signed Old Harry Rocks.
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Old Harry Rocks
This is a lovely walk or cycle. From the Bankes Arms keep walking until you see a sign on the left directing you to a pathway signed Old Harry Rocks.
This is a local favourite which walkers rave about. Teeny tiny pub that churns out hundreds of pasties and pints to local walkers. Mine was a bit gristly if I’m honest but the ale is great and it is a welcome stop after a breathtaking walk over the hills and cliffs. Lots of good long dog walks around here
Worth Maltravers BH19 3LF
squareandcompasspub.co.uk
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The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversThis is a local favourite which walkers rave about. Teeny tiny pub that churns out hundreds of pasties and pints to local walkers. Mine was a bit gristly if I’m honest but the ale is great and it is a welcome stop after a breathtaking walk over the hills and cliffs. Lots of good long dog walks around here
Worth Maltravers BH19 3LF
squareandcompasspub.co.uk
Durdle Door
Iconic geological landmark with great walks.
Too local to miss especially if on Alum Chine beach. Simple shaded pathways, striking landscape design and beautiful views. Entrance just by the play park
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Tropical Gardens
34 W Overcliff DrToo local to miss especially if on Alum Chine beach. Simple shaded pathways, striking landscape design and beautiful views. Entrance just by the play park
Gorgeous views and lovely National Trust cafe and shop. More rustic and smaller than the white sands of Bournemouth beaches but different vibe and worth a trip. Also good to walk from here to Old Harry Rocks. Hop on the number 50 from The corner of Alumhurst rd by The Libertine pub and beat the Sandbanks queues.
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Knoll Beach Studland
Gorgeous views and lovely National Trust cafe and shop. More rustic and smaller than the white sands of Bournemouth beaches but different vibe and worth a trip. Also good to walk from here to Old Harry Rocks. Hop on the number 50 from The corner of Alumhurst rd by The Libertine pub and beat the Sandbanks queues.
Easy day out. Stroll down the prom from alum chine beach for about a mile or pop on one of the buses close by the house into town. In Summer they have free entertainment and the popular mini golf is always a laugh. Picnic in the gardens ( they usually have nice street food pop ups )or go shopping.
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Bournemouth Parks - Lower Gardens
Easy day out. Stroll down the prom from alum chine beach for about a mile or pop on one of the buses close by the house into town. In Summer they have free entertainment and the popular mini golf is always a laugh. Picnic in the gardens ( they usually have nice street food pop ups )or go shopping.
Famous for its quarter of a million + beach huts. Mudeford also has pleasant easy walks including a 3.7 mile walk from Hengisbury Head. Search walks4softies.
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Mudeford Quay
Mudeford QuayFamous for its quarter of a million + beach huts. Mudeford also has pleasant easy walks including a 3.7 mile walk from Hengisbury Head. Search walks4softies.
Home to the famous Sunseeker Yachts and a nice place to while away the afternoon. Pool town centre is pretty grim best avoided but the quayside has good restaurants and walks.
Check out pooleharbourtrails
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Poole Harbour
Home to the famous Sunseeker Yachts and a nice place to while away the afternoon. Pool town centre is pretty grim best avoided but the quayside has good restaurants and walks.
Check out pooleharbourtrails
Part of the UNESCO Jurassic world heritage site Lulworth has something for everyone. At low tide there are fantastic rock pools teaming with sea life perfect for exploring with the children.
Pay and display parking BH20 5RQ
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Lulworth Cove
Part of the UNESCO Jurassic world heritage site Lulworth has something for everyone. At low tide there are fantastic rock pools teaming with sea life perfect for exploring with the children.
Pay and display parking BH20 5RQ
Ten acres of beautiful gardens and tearooms to explore only a short distance away.
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Compton Acres
164 Canford Cliffs RdTen acres of beautiful gardens and tearooms to explore only a short distance away.
Home of the rare red squirrel and a short ferry ride from Sandbanks pier is Brownsea island. Lovely for walks with a great cafe.
Brownsea Island Ferries ltd Yellow Kiosk Ferry Way Sandbanks Poole BH13 7QB
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Brownsea Island
Home of the rare red squirrel and a short ferry ride from Sandbanks pier is Brownsea island. Lovely for walks with a great cafe.
Brownsea Island Ferries ltd Yellow Kiosk Ferry Way Sandbanks Poole BH13 7QB
Lots of lovely walks and a great beer garden in Scott Arms pub where this breathtaking view was taken.
Kingston
Lots of lovely walks and a great beer garden in Scott Arms pub where this breathtaking view was taken.
Educational day out
This educational but also fun
In the summer actors reenact battles and showcase life as it would have been during different centuries. My kids used to love the jousting and dressing up and learning about the food and medicines of long ago. Best of all there is an old fashioned sweet shop in Corfe by the castle and a very nice National Trust tea shop ( but watch out for wasps high summer)
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Corfe Castle
In the summer actors reenact battles and showcase life as it would have been during different centuries. My kids used to love the jousting and dressing up and learning about the food and medicines of long ago. Best of all there is an old fashioned sweet shop in Corfe by the castle and a very nice National Trust tea shop ( but watch out for wasps high summer)
Lovely nostalgic trip into the past. Even if like me you aren’t into trains there is something very heartwarming and charming about this stretch of line run entirely by volunteers. Both steam and Diesel engines run so be sure to check the timetable. Nice walks too.
Station House Swanage Dorset BH19 1HB
I find best parking at Norden then do hop on hop off. BH20 5DW
Or leave the car behind and take the 50 bus (by Libertine) on scenic tour to Swanage, then hop on the railway.
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Swanage Railway Norden Station
Lovely nostalgic trip into the past. Even if like me you aren’t into trains there is something very heartwarming and charming about this stretch of line run entirely by volunteers. Both steam and Diesel engines run so be sure to check the timetable. Nice walks too.
Station House Swanage Dorset BH19 1HB
I find best parking at Norden then do hop on hop off. BH20 5DW
Or leave the car behind and take the 50 bus (by Libertine) on scenic tour to Swanage, then hop on the railway.
Interesting tours and wine tasting very close by - great if you appreciate English Sparkling wine.
BH16 6BH
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English Oak Vineyard
Flowers DroveInteresting tours and wine tasting very close by - great if you appreciate English Sparkling wine.
BH16 6BH
Further Afield
There are some fantastic day trips to take advantage of not too far away
Not just the National motor museum, there is the Palace house and Abbey ruins to explore too. A good family day out and close by on the Beaulieu river is the 18th century ship building village.
Beaulieu Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN
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Beaulieu
Not just the National motor museum, there is the Palace house and Abbey ruins to explore too. A good family day out and close by on the Beaulieu river is the 18th century ship building village.
Beaulieu Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN
Great for kids of lower primary age. You will probably pass it on your journey M27 so a great way to get an early start to the holiday pre check-in or extend the holiday on the way home.
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Paultons Park Hogar de Peppa Pig World
Great for kids of lower primary age. You will probably pass it on your journey M27 so a great way to get an early start to the holiday pre check-in or extend the holiday on the way home.