Local knowledge
Sightseeing
5 minutes from the flat. Great for a morning run away from the traffic. Marked 2 and 5k route (the latter taking you into Whitecliff park). There's an adult parkrun on Saturday's (600-800 runners regularly) and some newly refurbished play parks for children. Rockley watersports hire paddleboards and kayaks to use on the lake.
Poole Park
Poole Park5 minutes from the flat. Great for a morning run away from the traffic. Marked 2 and 5k route (the latter taking you into Whitecliff park). There's an adult parkrun on Saturday's (600-800 runners regularly) and some newly refurbished play parks for children. Rockley watersports hire paddleboards and kayaks to use on the lake.
Park in the NT car park by the Bankes Arms, it's a couple of miles out and back from here and relatively flat. Great picnic spot but lots of sheer cliffs and drop-offs so keep young ones close. If you're feeling adventurous head south up the hill to Ballard down, for amazing panoramic views over Poole Harbour to the north, Rempstone Heath to the west and Swanage to the south. On a really clear day the Isle of Wight is visible out across the sea.
Go early to avoid the traffic, or up to the top of the hill in the evening for amazing sundowners. Will be busy with hikers, runners and MTB's everywhere, but plenty of open space for everyone.
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Old Harry Rocks
Park in the NT car park by the Bankes Arms, it's a couple of miles out and back from here and relatively flat. Great picnic spot but lots of sheer cliffs and drop-offs so keep young ones close. If you're feeling adventurous head south up the hill to Ballard down, for amazing panoramic views over Poole Harbour to the north, Rempstone Heath to the west and Swanage to the south. On a really clear day the Isle of Wight is visible out across the sea.
Go early to avoid the traffic, or up to the top of the hill in the evening for amazing sundowners. Will be busy with hikers, runners and MTB's everywhere, but plenty of open space for everyone.
National Trust members can enter free, after a lovely boat ride from either the sandbank peninsular (by the chain ferry) or from Poole Quay. If you have to get there by boat, there's going to be an adventure. Amazing views from the SE corner of the island over to Old Harry, and a walk to the other end of the island exploring Brownsea's history along the way, brings you to Pottery Pier and a perfect lunch spot.
As home to the birthplace of scouting, you might encounter cubs and scouts exploring the island, and if you're very lucky, you might see a shy red squirrel. Brownsea is their home too. If you've got young ones with you, check out the visitors centre for activities to keep them moving around the island, and a map to show you where the natural play area is on the north side. The Southside of the island is quieter and my favourite part, and look out for the designated climbing trees dotted around the island. A great day out.
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Brownsea Island
National Trust members can enter free, after a lovely boat ride from either the sandbank peninsular (by the chain ferry) or from Poole Quay. If you have to get there by boat, there's going to be an adventure. Amazing views from the SE corner of the island over to Old Harry, and a walk to the other end of the island exploring Brownsea's history along the way, brings you to Pottery Pier and a perfect lunch spot.
As home to the birthplace of scouting, you might encounter cubs and scouts exploring the island, and if you're very lucky, you might see a shy red squirrel. Brownsea is their home too. If you've got young ones with you, check out the visitors centre for activities to keep them moving around the island, and a map to show you where the natural play area is on the north side. The Southside of the island is quieter and my favourite part, and look out for the designated climbing trees dotted around the island. A great day out.
Food scene
Worth Matravers is a great place to explore some of the Jurrasic Coast and the Square and Compass (cash only I think), is always busy in the summer with walkers taking a break with a pastie and a pint. Look up Winspit and Seacombe quarries, and stop here for a well earned break on your way back to the car.
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The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversWorth Matravers is a great place to explore some of the Jurrasic Coast and the Square and Compass (cash only I think), is always busy in the summer with walkers taking a break with a pastie and a pint. Look up Winspit and Seacombe quarries, and stop here for a well earned break on your way back to the car.
Drgnfly
1 Bournemouth RdAmazing food and cocktails. The bill can add up quite quickly ;)
Across the road from the flat. Delicious. Download the app, order and pop across the road to collect. One of my favourites.
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Chicken and Blues Ashley Cross
73 Commercial RdAcross the road from the flat. Delicious. Download the app, order and pop across the road to collect. One of my favourites.
Great place for a sundowner evening meal or stopping for a pint after a run/cycle/walk over Studland and the Purbecks. Booking essential
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Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant
Ferry RoadGreat place for a sundowner evening meal or stopping for a pint after a run/cycle/walk over Studland and the Purbecks. Booking essential
Pricey and can be a bit pretentious but great location and a favourite with the local who’s who. There’s a sister restaurant ‘The Pig’ in Brockenhurst (easy bu train from Ashley across, Parkstone station), if this is your thing.
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The Pig on the Beach
Manor RoadPricey and can be a bit pretentious but great location and a favourite with the local who’s who. There’s a sister restaurant ‘The Pig’ in Brockenhurst (easy bu train from Ashley across, Parkstone station), if this is your thing.
Super busy but good value for refuelling on Studland adventures. Occasionally host beer festivals, check their web-site.
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Bankes Arms Inn Studland
Manor RoadSuper busy but good value for refuelling on Studland adventures. Occasionally host beer festivals, check their web-site.
A 3-minute walk from the flat, a nice green space with a fountain, benches and shady trees. Surrounded by cafes and bars (and charity shops, hairdressers and estate agents). Ashley Cross 'Village' is a lovely place to hang out and watch the world go by.
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Ashley Cross Green
A 3-minute walk from the flat, a nice green space with a fountain, benches and shady trees. Surrounded by cafes and bars (and charity shops, hairdressers and estate agents). Ashley Cross 'Village' is a lovely place to hang out and watch the world go by.
Exploring off the beaten track
Great snorkelling, often overlooked in favour of Durdle Door (the other side of the cliff). You can swim out to the rocks and jump off (in certain places - always check the landing before you jump) at high tide. A firm favourite with my kids.
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Man O'War Beach
Great snorkelling, often overlooked in favour of Durdle Door (the other side of the cliff). You can swim out to the rocks and jump off (in certain places - always check the landing before you jump) at high tide. A firm favourite with my kids.
Just to the east of the quarry, you can scramble down to the sea. Good wild swimming on a calm day and another snorkel hotspot. Car Park (Get there early!!) near The Square and Compass in the village.
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Winspit Quarry
Just to the east of the quarry, you can scramble down to the sea. Good wild swimming on a calm day and another snorkel hotspot. Car Park (Get there early!!) near The Square and Compass in the village.
Park at Spyway barn (NT - Google it) and put your hiking legs on. One of many old quarries along the SW coast path in this part of the world. There’s a small pool cut into the lower level rock. Currents can be very strong along here so I’d avoid swimming off the ledge.
Avoid in stormy conditions, or high season weekends. Perfect on a midweek summer evening. You might even see a puffin! It’s quite a hike back to the car (big hill) so you’ll need to be fit to take this one on.
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Dancing Ledge
South West Coast PathPark at Spyway barn (NT - Google it) and put your hiking legs on. One of many old quarries along the SW coast path in this part of the world. There’s a small pool cut into the lower level rock. Currents can be very strong along here so I’d avoid swimming off the ledge.
Avoid in stormy conditions, or high season weekends. Perfect on a midweek summer evening. You might even see a puffin! It’s quite a hike back to the car (big hill) so you’ll need to be fit to take this one on.
Half a mile east from Winspit Quarry along the SW Coast path and another good wild swimming spot/snorkelling if the weather is right. You can include this (and Winspit) as part of a circular walk from Worth. Not so long, but a good workout. It's a real sun trap so take sun cream and plenty of water. Best around neap tides when the water is moving about less.
Seacombe Cliff
South West Coast PathHalf a mile east from Winspit Quarry along the SW Coast path and another good wild swimming spot/snorkelling if the weather is right. You can include this (and Winspit) as part of a circular walk from Worth. Not so long, but a good workout. It's a real sun trap so take sun cream and plenty of water. Best around neap tides when the water is moving about less.
Amazing place for sundown. Woodland parking and a reasonably flat walk make this accessible to most. Maybe nice way to walk off an early dinner at the nearby Scott Arms. The picturesque Chapmans Pool to the east, Weymouth and Portland visible to the east.
Houns Tout
South West Coast PathAmazing place for sundown. Woodland parking and a reasonably flat walk make this accessible to most. Maybe nice way to walk off an early dinner at the nearby Scott Arms. The picturesque Chapmans Pool to the east, Weymouth and Portland visible to the east.
Beaches
Sandbanks (Flaghead Chine, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine...), miles and miles of sandy beaches. Most RNLI patrolled. Always super busy in the summer, but go for a walk or run early in the morning before the crowds arrive (and maybe a quick dip?) Great way to start the day.
From Jazzie’s cafe at Shore road (the start of the prom) you can run/walk (cycle before 10 and after 6 in July/August) all the way to Hengistbury head in Christchurch. From here it’s about 2.5m to Bournemouth Pier.
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Sandbanks Beach
Banks RoadSandbanks (Flaghead Chine, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine...), miles and miles of sandy beaches. Most RNLI patrolled. Always super busy in the summer, but go for a walk or run early in the morning before the crowds arrive (and maybe a quick dip?) Great way to start the day.
From Jazzie’s cafe at Shore road (the start of the prom) you can run/walk (cycle before 10 and after 6 in July/August) all the way to Hengistbury head in Christchurch. From here it’s about 2.5m to Bournemouth Pier.
Branksome Dean Chine, the locals' beach. SUP and wetsuit hire and an ice cream and coffee shop. A bit harder to find by car, (Not to be confused with Branksome Chine to the west), but there are footpaths leading in if the car park is full. Firm favourite for the locals. The only time to avoid is when the wind is blowing SE or SW, as the kite surfers take over. Look out for the rope swings hidden up by the viewpoint in the car park.
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Branksome Dene Beach
Branksome Dean Chine, the locals' beach. SUP and wetsuit hire and an ice cream and coffee shop. A bit harder to find by car, (Not to be confused with Branksome Chine to the west), but there are footpaths leading in if the car park is full. Firm favourite for the locals. The only time to avoid is when the wind is blowing SE or SW, as the kite surfers take over. Look out for the rope swings hidden up by the viewpoint in the car park.
Sandy National trust beach (the whole of Studland is, including the Naturist beach) and with Middle Beach, can be a really nice alternative to the beaches in Poole, with sand dunes and Heath walks backing it. It does get busy so as always, leave early and make a day of it. There’s an NT cafe, and another small independent at middle beach but it’s best to plan on being self sufficient.
NT carparks (Google them it’s easier) on studland fill up early. I prefer middle or south beach for snorkelling and can be great for paddle boarding. Hire facilities at Knoll for SUP, kayak and small boats.
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Knoll Beach Studland
Sandy National trust beach (the whole of Studland is, including the Naturist beach) and with Middle Beach, can be a really nice alternative to the beaches in Poole, with sand dunes and Heath walks backing it. It does get busy so as always, leave early and make a day of it. There’s an NT cafe, and another small independent at middle beach but it’s best to plan on being self sufficient.
NT carparks (Google them it’s easier) on studland fill up early. I prefer middle or south beach for snorkelling and can be great for paddle boarding. Hire facilities at Knoll for SUP, kayak and small boats.
Get active
SUP, Kite and foil lessons and hire. Just opened a place on the sea front too. Work out of vans on Banks Rd, see also Posidon and Poole Harbour Watersportd
Easy Riders Kitesurfing & SUP
Shore RoadAll sorts of coastal adventures to be had with these guys. Check their website.
Land & Wave Sandbanks
Banks RoadAll sorts of coastal adventures to be had with these guys. Check their website.
Dorset Adventure Park
Great fun, active day out for all the family.
Great for rainy day adventures for all ages, indoor bouldering centre in the centre of Poole. Check their website for full details as you might need to book an induction. Currently, a session booking system is in place and registration is a lot quicker if you do it online before you arrive.
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The Project Climbing Centre
Great for rainy day adventures for all ages, indoor bouldering centre in the centre of Poole. Check their website for full details as you might need to book an induction. Currently, a session booking system is in place and registration is a lot quicker if you do it online before you arrive.
Really good indoor skate park that offers an hour for just little ones on a Saturday morning and a dedicated 'ramp rats' section for younger riders. Scooter and helmet hire is available, and parents can have a coffee on the viewing balcony. Will you be brave enough to take on the big ramp into the foam pit? From the sign detailing charges for emptying the foam pit to recover your car keys, it's clear adults often can't resist.
They also have a new dedicated junior site in Bournemouth too now.
Check their website for session times related to age and full details of their offerings.
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Prevail Skatehouse
Old Christchurch RoadReally good indoor skate park that offers an hour for just little ones on a Saturday morning and a dedicated 'ramp rats' section for younger riders. Scooter and helmet hire is available, and parents can have a coffee on the viewing balcony. Will you be brave enough to take on the big ramp into the foam pit? From the sign detailing charges for emptying the foam pit to recover your car keys, it's clear adults often can't resist.
They also have a new dedicated junior site in Bournemouth too now.
Check their website for session times related to age and full details of their offerings.
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
'Beryl' Bikes (and eBikes and eScooters)
London has Boris Bikes, Bournemouth and Poole has Beyrl. Lots of bikes all around the area, and more recently eScooters. You can use them right across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.
Download the app before you come, you can pay as you go but preloading with minutes is the cheapest way. If you want to use the eScooters, you'll need to verify our drivers license before you can, so get that done. You can only have one bike/scooter per person currently, so everyone wanting to ride will need the app. Top tip: make sure you park in a bay at the end of your ride or there's a £5 charge!