Abbotsbury Children’s Farm occupies the 1000-year old site of the former St Peter’s Monastery in Abbotsbury, near Weymouth in Dorset. The Tithe Barn in the centre of the farm dates…
Whether you’re a proud resident of the town or here for a visit, there are plenty of day trips and attractions you can visit around Bournemouth and beyond. With our famous beach, rich heritage, iconic architecture, beautiful stately homes and gardens, pretty market towns, fine arts and family attractions there’s plenty to visit and keep the whole family entertained.
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Little and big kids alike will delight in a day out at Adventure Wonderland. Tucked in a prime location opposite Bournemouth International Airport and just ten minutes from the town centre,…
If an invitation to Bournemouth’s Aviation Museum gives you visions of a stuffy old building filled to the brim with cabinets of flight memorabilia and papier mache models of some…
Whether you’re spending a day on the beach or grabbing a seaside stroll between shops, with seven miles of sand and smiles Bournemouth’s idyllic beachfront is packed with attractions for…
Bournemouth’s Gardens snake right through the heart of the town, following the line of the Bourne Stream overlooked by a beautiful tableau of towering palms and tropical blooms. During the…
The all-weather destination abuzz with attractions Where in the world can you ride a zip wire from pier to shore? At the world’s first zip-surf line on Bournemouth Pier, at…
Brockenhurst is the most populous village in the New Forest – it’s about 15 miles North East from Bournemouth and is a similar distance from Southampton the other side. A…
Burley in the New Forest is a beautiful village surrounded by heath land, roaming wild horses and attractive wildlife for all the family to enjoy. A Civil Parish village in Hampshire…
Christchurch a historic town dating back to Norman times, is situated where two delightful rivers, the Avon and the Stour meet. The famous Priory and historical quarter is close to…
As one of the country’s few remaining privately-owned garden attractions, you would be forgiven for dismissing Compton Acres as the ideal venue for a spring or summer day trip; the…
If you want to visit a big-name family attraction and support a worthy cause at the same time the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park & Rescue Centre ticks all the…
Ask anyone about Dorset’s Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door is likely to be one of the first things they mention. This globally-famed Portland limestone arch was created some 10,000 years…
For all the fun of the farm and much more, trot on down to Farmer Palmer’s just off the Dorset Way in Organford, Poole. This fun family attraction is home…
Nestled in the forest in the heart of Moors Valley Country Park is a thrilling high-wire adventure course way up in the trees! Go Ape is a thrill-a-second escapade leading…
Hengistbury Head is a magnificent headland jutting out into the English Channel between Southbourne and Christchurch. There are many ways to explore this exciting ancient settlement with its climbing hills…
Highcliffe Castle is a magnificent Georgian Gothic Revival structure set in beautiful grounds just minutes from its own peaceful stretch of golden beach overlooking Christchurch Bay. Mr Selfridge The castle…
Just a couple of miles north of Wimborne, the Honeybrook Family Farm and Riverside Park is packed with rural attractions for the whole family, spread out over a vast 84-acre…
If you’re still lamenting the loss of Westover Ice Rink back in 1991 or the closure of Ice Trax, Tower Park in 1996 then you must be one of the…
A firm favourite on Bournemouth’s summer fete circuit and just 10 miles away in Ringwood, Hampshire, Liberty’s Owl and Raptor Centre will give you a truly unique day out. It’s open…
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Bournemouth is seriously blessed to be located at the start of the Jurassic Coast, a dramatic and history-steeped coastline decorated with breath-taking sea-sculptures and dotted with fossils. Lulworth Cove, just…
Lymington is a bustling seaside town on the edge of The New Forest providing unique walks, restaurants, hotels and a local historic market. The Georgian Market Town and Fishing Village…
If you’re a big fan of wildlife and looking for a thrilling day out just 40 minutes from Bournemouth, why not head to Marwell Zoo in Colden Common, Winchester? This…
Monkey World, in Wareham is just a 30-minute drive from Bournemouth and is a real inspiration if you’re looking for a different way to spend the day. Dedicated to rescuing…
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is a popular outdoor attraction for families and people of all ages. The venue has a lot of elements – two vast and enclosed play…
Part of the popular Moors Valley Country Park on the edge of Ringwood Forest, the Moors Valley Railway is a local attraction in its own right. It was built back…
Formerly known as the Opera House and the Academy, the O2 Academy modestly nestled along Boscombe’s somewhat unassuming high street has been a staple on the Bournemouth nightclub scene since…
No seaside town worth its salt would dream of not celebrating its maritime roots, and Bournemouth certainly didn’t miss a trick with its popular Oceanarium – a dazzling aquarium situated right…
Poole features the second largest natural harbour in the world (after Sydney), and boasts a unique mix of beaches, history, attractions, shopping and nightlife. There are five gently sheltered beaches…
Poole has the second largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney, Australia, and is a hub of industry. Its commercial history dates back to the mid-15th century, where Poole…
Back in the reign of Henry VIII, when the shores of Weymouth and Portland were prime pickings for invasion by the French and Spanish, the coastal fort of Portland Castle…
It can be difficult to find new places to entertain the troops when it’s not beach weather. Putlake Adventure Farm in Swanage could be just the ticket. This children’s farm…
This grand art gallery and museum stands in a premium spot atop the town’s East Cliff in a Grade II listed building in Art Nouveau style originally known as East…
The magnificent Sherborne Castle in Dorset was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and has been in the hands of the present owners – the Wingfield Digby family –…
Skiing might not be the most obvious activity on your Bournemouth seaside town to-do list but Snowtrax (formerly the Christchurch Ski Centre) is a popular haunt for those preparing for…
If swimming lengths isn’t your thing or you want more fun from your trip to the pool, Tower Park’s Splashdown is a fluming great day out! It’s packed with waterslides…
Stapehill Abbey was originally a 19th century Cistercian abbey shrouded in beautiful, award-winning gardens, a Japanese garden, nuns’ chapel and Victorian parlour. The Holy Cross Abbey order of Cistercian Trappist…
The coastal town of Swanage has seen many things during it’s long, rich history in Dorset, England. To the Eastern side of the Isle of Purbeck lies Swanage. This civil…
If you want a glimpse of the glory days of Britain’s seaside towns, a trip to Swanage and its historic pier is a must. Built in 1859/60 the original pier…
Swanage Railway is a fully-operating heritage steam railway station in the heart of the Purbecks. It opened in 1885 and provided a branch line service between Wareham and Swanage. In…
Another striking section of Dorset’s majestic Jurassic Coast, the Isle of Purbeck is a wonderful sight on a clear day with views across Brownsea Island all the way around to…
The New Forest and the surrounding area is full of natural wildlife, where you can relax and enjoy the scenery that the New Forest has to offer. The New Forest…
Whether you’re throwing a wedding or family party, a corporate function or team away day, The Orangery Suite and Gardens is a stunning venue that can add more than a…
This charming ‘oriental garden’ in Wimborne is actually the private garden of a Mr Ian Willis. But after catching the eye of the Wimborne in Bloom panel in 2001 and…
A visit to Lyme Regis gives you a glimpse into the simple beauty of Dorset. Largely unspoilt, it’s modern in measures but has managed to preserve the town’s endearing charm.…
If you’ve wandered around charming Weymouth wondering what life was like there “way back when it was an important port for trade and exploration, duck into the Tudor House Museum…
Welcome to Dorset’s forgotten village. Tyneham is literally a snapshot of 1943, the year the last residents were given 28 days’ notice to leave this sleepy little village so it…
Upton Country Park is a grand property on the outskirts of Poole. Its main focal point is the magnificent country house set on over 130 acres of parkland, but the…
Westbourne is a cosmopolitan residential and shopping area of Bournemouth situated between Bournemouth town centre and Branksome in Poole. If you’re looking for little boutiques and bistros with a smattering…
For a fun and memorable day out with a fun aquatic theme, take the one-hour trip down to Weymouth for the Sea Life park. This thrilling ocean adventure park lets you…
Wimborne Minster is a traditional market town oozing with charm and character. It is situated just to the North-West of Bournemouth, between the rivers Stour and Allen. Wimborne Minster Wimborne…
Wimborne Model Town was built between 1951 and 1954 and offers an interactive tour of this pretty Dorset town just as it looked 60 years’ ago. The whole of Wimborne…