Things to do around Poole and Bournemouth.

[Shopaholic100]

We are going to Durdle door one of the days. Does anyone have any suggestions? By the high demand for hotels in the area, what is everyone going to see? We are travelling with teenagers.

Kayak around old Harry’s rocks from middle beach, studland. Did it the other day with by OH and 2 teenage kids. Was absolutely brilliant!

Drive down to Portsmouth or Southampton and take a day trip to the isle of wight

The beach at Sandbanks is fabulous and there are lots of water activities you can do around Poole harbour. There is a zip line off the pier at Bournemouth.

Any interest at all in planes? The Bournemouth Aviation Museum was a surprise hit with my boys this year- a load of military and civil planes in a field and you are able to climb into the cockpits, pretend you are flying fighter planes etc. My teens loved it and they have never shown any interest in planes before- we just went to humour dh but it was the most fun we had all trip.

2nd poole harbour too. My 2 went sailing, paddle boarding there. Can do a day course in day kite surfing or rent out

Go to Dursley Door either first thing or late afternoon, if it’s a hot weekend day roads may close in the afternoon to access it.

The Dorset Waterpark and Mud Run near Corfe Castleis good

Moors Valley Country Park, it's £15 to park for the day ( I think, best check) and there are great play parks and Free trail to walk around the woods. there is also a go ape high ropes but that if extra ££

Sorry just seen you have teenagers! Probably too big for the play park but go ape might be a goer!

Yes to Sandbanks beach but get there mega early. It's my favourite beach in this country. Splashdown indoor water park is good for a few hours. Monkey World is amazing if your teens wld be interested, fantastic rescue centre where all the primates have a story. Swanage is a lovely place to visit too, easily reached on the chain ferry past Sandbanks.

@Bypassed21, I’ve heard really good things about Sandbanks. My kids would really enjoy the water activities and zip lining, they’re really into adventure type things.

@toobusytothink, I’ll definitely have to look into the kayaking. Glad you had a good time.

@Aposterhasnoname, good idea about the Isle of Wight.

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel, it’s nice when places are better than expected.

Keep the suggestions coming please and also places which I shouldn’t bother with.

New Forest is good for a walk or cycle and pub lunch - bike hire in Brockenhurst and elsewhere.

Hengistbury Head, and Mudeford spit. Never too old for crabbing on Mudeford Quay.

Tank Museum at Bovington if you like tanks!

Swanage is lovely for a mooch along the beach and fish and chips.

Ride one of the open top buses!

Walk from Studland to the Bankes Arms and out to Old Harry Rocks.

Don’t go to durdle door. It’s beautiful but it’s very very crowded and there’s a steep narrow path that’s the only access. There are so many other nice beaches.
Worbarrow bay is close by but much quieter, you can access on foot too but less narrow.
Mackerel fishing from Poole harbour, kayaking or paddle boarding from sandbanks, studland or down the river at wareham.
Alum chine beach is quieter than both Bournemouth and sandbanks, and is really nice.
Crazy golf in the winter gardens in bmth.
Corfe castle always good, ditto steam train from swanage.

If you’re going to Worbarrow Bay you approach it via the deserted village of Tyneham (people were moved out by the army and never allowed back) which is worth a visit.

I like Swanage, I think it has a really nice atmosphere.

Kimmeridge for Fossil hunting, the rock is very fragile though so it's a case of finding what you can on the fallen slate.

Poole on a Thursday night is great fun - Street entertainment and fireworks in the bay.

Also worth a go is the steam train from Norden to Swanage, and then back again. It was great fun and very Harry Potter-ish.

I love Dorset, there is so much to do, you'll never be bored.

Brownsea Island, one of the few places you can see red squirrels.

Swanage is lovely but if you are getting the chain ferry from Sandbanks just to warn you we queued for around half an hour on the Sandbanks side last week but coming back from Swanage the queue was horrendous! It took around an hour and a half.

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

Any interest at all in planes? The Bournemouth Aviation Museum was a surprise hit with my boys this year- a load of military and civil planes in a field and you are able to climb into the cockpits, pretend you are flying fighter planes etc. My teens loved it and they have never shown any interest in planes before- we just went to humour dh but it was the most fun we had all trip.

I've never heard of that Museum! Sounds fantastic and definitely something me and DH would love, let alone DC's!