Looking for family-friendly days out? Get your buckets and spades ready. The beach here is seven miles long and comes with mini-golf, amusement arcades, oceanarium and a 250-metre zip wire down to the pier. Discover other great beaches at Boscombe, Alum Chine, Canford Cliffs, Southbourne and Middle Chine.
Let off steam on the StreetLight Centre’s indoor skate park and recover in the café. Tackle three themed courses at Mr Mulligan’s adventure golf. Ride Bournemouth Eye, with 500-foot balloon flights giving spectacular Channel views. Or hop on and off the bus tour and pick from 18 stops offering surf, sand and seaside fun.
You’ve 28 indoor climbing challenges and a speed wall at RockReef on the pier, while PierCave lets you explore three separate, colour-coded caving tunnels. Or walk on the ceiling, reach for the coffee table and share crazy shots on social media at the Upside-Down House, the UK’s first inverted experience.
Pop down to Bournemouth Natural Science Society for a museum devoted to the natural world. Up the cultural ante even more at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum and Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre. Or meet all that’s cute and cuddly at award-winning Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park.
Take the tenpins down at Bowl Central. Keep your fitness up at The Gym Group. Take to the slopes whatever the weather at Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre. Tackle a mature and challenging 18 holes at Queen’s Park Golf Course. Or ride the highways and byways with OnYerBike.
Up for a crazy mini-adventure? Take a day trip to Guernsey on the Poole Condor and you could be walking the Rousse headland or sunbathing at Saline Bay within three hours. Head back for stand-up paddleboarding with FatStick, boat charters from Silver Spray or walks around Pug’s Hole or Talbot Heath.
Get down to Sandbanks Brewery for a range of high-quality, distinctive cask ales. Head back into history at Alum Chine Bridge, Highcliffe Castle, Edmondsham House and Gardens, Kingston Lacy and St Peter’s Church. Or relax and rejuvenate at Arcadia Spa with its Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and six treatment rooms.
Get out and about on four legs with Bagnum Equestrian. Learn bushcraft skills and axe throwing in the New Forest with Insight Activities. Ride the train from Hengistbury Head to Mudeford Sand spit, finishing with cake. Or get down to Beaulieu in the New Forest for the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear.
