To ask you for recommendations for Bournemouth???

[Babypiggy]

Hiya! Just booked a few days staying in the Hilton in Bournemouth in half term. Just me and DS who is 7. Looking for recommendations of things do come rain or shine please and nice family friendly restaurants! Any advice / suggestions would be great

Good weather- drive to Sandbanks beach or go to Purbeck for Corfe Castle and the steam train to Swanage.

Just the shops in rainy weather, I think.

Just over the road from the Hilton there is an indoor golf thing called mr mulligans, you would need to book I think. A short walk away in the square there is a pottery cafe called all fired up - again you may need to book. Both good options in wet weather.

There’s also a complex called BH2 which has all the chain restaurants in it (and odeon cinema if it’s still open) - not sure what’s open at the moment. There’s Hot Rocks and a Harry Ramsdens by the pier for sea view eating. Pretty much everywhere is kid friendly but not sure what’s open due to covid. Just remembered There is also an indoor climbing wall place on the pier itself, think it’s called rock reef.

Hot Rocks is a must! And the ice cream place at the opening of the pier.

The oceanarium is there too. It's not amazing but still entertaining enough if it is open.

If the ferry is running, Brownsea Island, which will probably have beautiful autumn colours.

Depends what you're looking for. Moors valley, Upton country park, hengistbury head are all nice places to walk. Moors valley has a go ape and some "nets" which are fun.
The beach - you can walk along the beach to the next cafe or play in the water.

Farmer palmers. Aimed 8 and under so feels young for some 7 year olds but others like it.

Pualtons park isnt far away for a day trip to a theme park.

Corfe caste and brownsea island and kingston lacy for national trust. Brownsea island is fun with the enid blyton link and the boat trip etc. Play area there too as well as an island to explore.

I dont really do shopping as an activity but there obviously are shops... the walk through bournemouth gardens is nice witha play area further up the walk towards coy pond.

Oh yes. Rock reef is clip and climb so feels super safe for smaller kids.

The hotel is lovely, or was when we stayed last. In walking distance of shops, restaurants. Beach, aquarium etc.

Lots of arcades which are always fun. My DC love the 2p machines. They also have a zip wire from the pier to the beach

We got the open top double decker bus from Bournemouth, to Swanage last week that was really good fun.
Monkey World? Not sure if it's open.

Catch the bus to Swanage via Sandbanks ferry, and have fish and chips. Then take the steam railway to Corfe Castle.

The Tank Museum is a good day out, if you have a car.

Hengistbury Head is a good walk, check if the land train is running.

Poole quay and old town, small but good museum.

Russell Coates museum in Bournemouth, usually has kids activities (check if running due to COVID).

Franco Manca good for dinner.

Splashdown water park in Poole is fun and indoors.

Adventure wonderland was always a good value day out. Better than a fairground rides but smaller and more low key than a theme park. There’s a maze too and a place you can watch aeroplanes take off and land at the airport (if that still happens)

There's a clip and climb on the pier. The mini golf in the gardens is lovely. My kids loved splashdown park.

Second rock reef on the pier, our 7 year old absolutely loved it. Remember to book

@ItWasButIsNot

The oceanarium is there too. It's not amazing but still entertaining enough if it is open.

The penguin bit there is really cute