rockley park, poole, dorset haven anyone? local attractions?

[gingernutlover]

we tried out haven last year (went to seashore in gt yarmouth)

i have booked rockley park for this summer and wondered if anyone elese has been there and got any tips of local places to visit.

[dreamingofsun]

poole quay, christchurch quay, studland beach(go over on car ferry), new forest, moors valley country park, lots of different beaches. how old are your children and how long are you visiting? what are your interests? do you have a dog?

[gingernutlover]

no dog

1 dd who is 4

we are staying a week

we/she will be happy to stay on camp for most evenings and for some of the childrens activities in the day.

we are not really "sit on the beach for an entire day people" but happy to spend a couple of hours digging sand and paddling.

would like any good value day trips, dd likes animals and adventure play things. I really dilike paying huge entrance fees for days out.

I like shopping, any good markets

dh likes a quiet life LOL, but also shopping, nice walks (but not too far for dd).

[gingernutlover]

basically we are happy if dd is entertained and happy

last year we found a wonderful place near gt yarmouth which had animals, small rides and a large adventure playground. we spent an entire day there for about £25, all included. ANything like that in dorset would be fab

[dreamingofsun]

moors valley country park is popular - you pay for the cark park, not entrance fee - used to be £4 for day. alice in wonderland near bournemouth airport - though might be bit expensive. shopping - bournemouth or poole or castle point on outskirts of bournemouth. farmer palmers - not sure about entrance fee. air show is on 19th -21 aug i think - this is free and great and very popular - whole area will be heaving and your dd will get bored. we love the beaches and agree boring sitting on whole day - hengisbury head there's the beach and you can walk, and go on the little train up to the harbour/beach hut/cafe/mudeford quay end. mudeford - beach, quay, pubs and you can crab off the concrete by car park- some of carparks much cheaper than others. oceanarium on bournemouth front. its a lovely area. let me know if you have any questions - hope you have a lovely time

[epithet]

Adventure Wonderland near Bournemouth Airport would cost you £30-odd and has enough attractions to keep you there for the day - adventure playgrounds, maze, lots of kiddie rides, soft play, trampolines, bouncy castles, small petting farm etc. My dds are 6 and 4 and they love it.

They're also keen on Poole Park - two big playgrounds, boating lake, small train ride, soft play and ice-skating etc. though you have to pay for everything separately.

For a rainy day, the Swanage Steam Railway is good, or there's an Aquarium in Bournemouth.

[mollymax]

I think Monkey World is quite close.

[gingernutlover]

oooh thanks ladies

some of those look really interesting. we will wait until their to buy any tickets as haven tend to do offers if you buy on site.

i will google a few, thanks

[emsgems]

Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour.
West Quays southampton about 45 min drive great shops plus Ikea.
Paultons park about 45min drive great theme park.
Marwell zoo about an hour all easy to get to.
Tower Park Poole - cinemas/bowling/splashdown/monkey bizness which is a huge ball play place.
Hamworthy park next to rockley...great beach but also huge play area and outside pool and cafe.
Upton Country Park down the road free parking great for picnic and feeding ducks and walking.
Swanage great for a pootle and has Thomas the tanks steam railway,
Corfe Castle again good for a bimble and ice cream.
Have fun I love my home town :0)