Single mum. Taking children to Bournemouth. What to do?

[Caribbeanyesplease]

I’ve booked a few nights in Bournemouth on the spur of the moment for me and the children (8 and 5).

I’ve booked a surf lesson for my eldest and then caving at the pier for both of them.

Any other suggestions?

TIA

I think there is still crazy golf in Boscombe gardens but there is also a newer one in the pier which is quite good. The golf balls are made from fish food which goes in to feed the fish in the sea at the last hole.

You can't miss the bus to Swanage. It's called the Purbeck Breezer and is one of the most beautiful bus routes in Britain.

Where would I pick up the purbeck bus if staying in boscombe?

You will really struggle to get around if you don’t drive while you’re there. Plus you’ll miss out on some really lovely areas that just aren’t so accessible without a car. Seems daft not to use it if you have it!

Oh sorry I have just seen

No, we won’t

5 days

Day 1 boscombe beach (we are literally on it)
Day 2 bus to ferry, studland
Day 3 Bournemouth Pier in the morning and then surf lesson in afternoon
Day 4 Pier caving and climbing in the morning and then a wander around the gardens in the afternoon. Dinner out.
Day 5 leave accom, more beach with the body boards and then stop at Adventureland enroute Home

Avon Beach is our favourite place! There is a cafe called the beach hut which is great. Car park at steamer point is good. Then you could walk up to Mudeford Quay for crabbing (or just park at the quay as may be too far for 5yo to walk). Then yes you can get ferry to Hengitsbury head (we went yesterday - but walked took 40 mins and don’t really know what the fuss is about? Just one cafe that naturally was heaving).

Christchurch also lovely - can walk around the priory. Monkey madness soft play if it rains.

Another nice little high street is Lymington. Harbour at the end. Lots of ice cream shops and a good pastie one too.

Have a fab trip!!

If you have clubcard vouchers you can get adventure wonderland tickets with them

The 2p shove slot machines are great (not that I'm encouraging gambling of course) lol

Yes and Studland bay is wonderful

I’d go to Moors Valley and do Go Ape or just the play trail over Adventureland. We’ve been a few times and it’s ok but tbh it’s very tired and your older one might be a bit bored. I’m also not sure I’d dedicate a whole morning to the Pier if you’re also going back for the climbing/caving. The other place that my two love is Monkey World near Wareham- basically a primate sanctuary with a great adventure playground. If it pisses down, Bovington Tank Museum is pretty cool- I’d do that over soft play as it’ll be feral.

There is a great crazy golf in Bournemouth gardens and depending on how old and adventurous your children are there is also a zipwire from the pier to the beach. I have also never seen a needle on Bournemouth beach.

It sounds like you have plans sorted for this holiday, but if you and the kids are keen walkers / scooters have you considered geocaching as a hobby?

I have never, ever had a bad day on Bournemouth beach.

I will have to insist you play mini golf OP.

Do you like sea food? There is a really lovely restaurant right on the beach that we always visit.

Which mini golf and what’s the name of the lovely seafood place?

Studland or hengitsbury?

This is brill thanks

Restaurant is West Beach. You must book though.

The mini golf is in the Gardens behind the beach.

We’ve also pony trekked in the New Forest on less sunny days.

I’m tracking the weather ATM as we are due there for the BH weekend.

mumsnet is just brilliant!

We will get the purbeck breeze bus. Looks like gets very busy. Earlier the better? Or is that full of the OAPs using free bus travel (according to trip advisor) and so no chance of open top seating?

F

If you decide to do the New Forest and don't want to drive, for reference next time you could probably walk to Pokesdown station, catch the train to Brockenhurst and you can hire bikes from the station.

I lived in Boscombe about 15 years ago. Then it had a tiny pocket of dodgyness I unfortunately got mixed up in. Just had its bad points like everywhere does but its my understanding it's cleaned up no end these days and you'll have a fabulous time.

West Beach Restaurant and decent crazy golf are both in Bournemouth IiRC?

Open top buses run through boscombe.

Science zone in boscombe if rainy

Scoot between the piers

You will have an amazing time

There is a mini golf in Bournemouth Gardens and there used to be one in Boscombe Gardens although that seems to have gone through phases of being open and shut in the last few years. There is also one on Boscombe pier and further golfing adventures can be found at Sandbanks, The Boat House Reataurant in Christchurch (you don't have to eat there to play the golf), Tuckton Tea Rooms, Sandbanks, Poole and a further one indoors at Poole which is an indoor pirate themed one where you play in the dark lit up by neon stripes. There is also Mighty Claws in Christchurch, I believe one at Hengistbury Head (along with Pitch and Putt) and one at Cafe Riva in Southbourne. All of these can, with careful planning and an adventurous spirit, be accessed by public transport. Two more are currently planned for Bournemouth. One down by the pier on the old imax site and one slightly more inland although these are not due to open until late this year / early next year.

This is my specialist subject as DH and I are not remotely competitive or sporty but do have a bit of a "thing" about crazy golf. We actually have a trophy that is awarded to one or the other of us at the end of each season.

@SaltedCaramelEverything

We are here and having a lovely time! Would love to take the children crabbing. You mentioned mudeford quay? Please could you give little more information if you have a moment

Tia

Oh and where to buy crabbing bits please!

If you haven't already had your Studland day OP I'd recommend you walk up to Bournemouth train station to catch the 50 - that's the start of the route so best chance of getting a good seat! By the time we get on at Westbourne it's always heaving. ☹️

We visit Bournemouth frequently and I don't drive - could easily fill a two-week holiday without feeling hard done by over it, although Moors Valley is lovely and to the best of my knowledge can't be done without a car.

OP I know you've already filled your itinerary but if you can squeeze in Brownsea Island it's really worth doing - can get the little ferry either from Sandbanks (just before the bus goes over the chain ferry to Studland) or from Poole. My eldest is six now and always loves a visit - the play area and visitor centre are both great, the beach is lovely, loads of wildlife to spot. I suppose you could combine with your Studland day but really I'd spend a full day at either of those so prob not best to try to do it all in one.

We also like Corfe Castle - get the 50 to Swanage then the steam railway to the castle, or otherwise there's a different Purbeck Breezer (40) which runs from Poole to Swanage via Corfe Castle so you can either get 50 then 40 or a bus to Poole then the 40.

You can get the boat to brownsea island if still runs.