Bovington Tank museum - other things to do in the area oh wise AIBU ones please.

[FoxRedGreySquirrel]

DH & DS have booked a few days away to visit Bovington tank museum, possibly going to head to the Jurassic coast, Monkey World maybe.

Know this isn’t AIBU but it’s a busy old place and full of knowledgeable MNetters who might know the area to add further suggestions of what they can both do, restaurant recommendations, other places to visit etc.

They’re going to stay in Bournemouth, close to the pier. Four days.

Any other places you’ve been to in the area for this short trip would be really appreciated.

I know AIBU posting here but it’s the summer holidays so hope you’ll have mercy!

No that's OK you weren't short just clarifying.

Find a mackerel fishing boat in one of the ports and catch dinner.

Also love the tank museum. It had a good balance of technical stuff for ds and human interest stuff for me. I also felt like it didn't glamourise war bur was realistic about the awful effects and was balanced in its telling of the stories of German soldiers and tank drivers. Their young men didn't want to be killing people and dying in muddy trenches any more than ours did.

We've also visited Monkeyworld (underwhelmed, the monkeys were not very active), Lulworth Cove and a boat ride round Durdle Door (nice but not amazing or worth a massive detour) and the air museum at Yeovil (interesting for ds but not as well presented for me)

Tbf the animals at monkey world were probably just chilling 😃

And while driving there we also listened to a podcast series called Tank Nuts. Interesting episode with the director of the Tank Museum, another with a film weapons and stunt man which was surprisingly more interesting than it sounds. Don't remember any more bit I'm sure there were many, many more

Weymouth is a lovely proper seaside town. Chesil beach is really stunning and quite awe inspiring, plus you can visit Portland, which has a great free sculpture park and some Olympic rings overlooking Weymouth which makes a good photo opportunity. Sandsfoot castle is nice for an icecream and Nothe Fort is our absolutely favourite place, interesting military history and amazing views.
If you visit Corfe Castle, you can stop at Kimmeridge Bay on the way back, the car park is free after 5 (I think) and the evening light there is just fabulous.

Not got children but went to Bournemouth with OH

Monkey World is great, the chimps especially are hilarious to watch with their antics

We hired bikes and got massively lost

There was an indoor waterpark when we went, if that's still there it's got a great selection of slides, we weren't brave enough for the more daring!

We did a motor museum I can't remember if it was Beaulea or another one nearby but it was interesting

We were looking for something to kill time before another activity and ended up doing a Hannibal themed escape room

Does DS like motorbikes as well? A relative loved the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum.

I don't know how far it is from where your DH/S will be but there's a car museum (called the Haynes Museum) at Sparkford just over the border into Somerset. There is also a new dinosaur museum somewhere on the Jurassic coast - I think Dorchester

I'm not sure if the New Forest Tour Bus is running at that time but its a good day out going round the different routes to see all the forest (3 different routes and you can hop on and off as much as you like)

Just remind them to not touch or feed any of the animals on the forest, they have introduced fines this year for anyone caught doing so.

The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester is very good.

This is a very cool place to eat when the weather is nice!

https://billywinters.co.uk/

Another place worth looking at is The Rex in Wareham. Beautiful, old fashioned cinema.

Poole bike night Tues evening on Poole quAy - get a bus from bmth takes 10 mins - do not drive

Swanage & Studland Bay are lovely, Dorchester is a good place for a quiet day. I have so many memories of childhood holidays down there as my dad was based in the army for National Service in Dorchester & we visited a lot for my dad to relive his memories.

Think they’re going to have to book an extra day!

Will come back later and read through all of your suggestions when I’ve got more time and I’ll probably have questions for you! They definitely need an itinerary 😆

Thank you! 💐

Would second this - just returned from the hotel and ate at the lobster. Also Wick passenger ferry is a novelty.
Also recommend monkey world - went with low expectations it was amazing!

@illiterato I’m just reading through all of the posts again, trying to write down lots of brilliant suggestions.

The souped up Fiats/Golfs would be JUST up DS’s street! He’s car daft!

Just trying to help them with an itinerary following your bloody brilliant suggestions!

Think they needed a good week to cover part of what you’ve all shared! They’re there Wednesday until Saturday, so are hoping to squeeze as much in as possible. Weather not fantastic though! Typical!

I think the Tank Museum, Monkeyworld, Tyneham Village, are on the list.

Trying to sort the best beach for fossil hunting, the best seafood restaurants. You’ve given us so many great suggestions! Thank you! 💐

Lulworth cove is gorgeous they have a few nice reasturants

Based on where you are staying Kimmeridge is the best for fossil hunting, but you will need to check the tide times (magic seaweed is the best imo) there is also a snorkeling trail if the weather if good (it doesn't look likely unfortunately)

Shell Bay is my favourite fish restaurant, the views are amazing. South Deep is nice for lunch but only if it is dry as outside is so much nicer, rockfish on Poole Quay has had good reports from friends but I've not been.

@Mrsjayy and @Waveifyouknowme thank you.

Just searching recommendations, hopefully the weather will be kind (wishful thinking).

Oh the WWII village of Tyneham is amazing! Loved it. And yes, park at Durdle Door, walk up to explore that, then walk the mile along the coast path to Lulworth Cove for ice cream (and swimming at the cove) - then walk back to the car. Or vice versa - both directions work well.

Weymouth also has some military points of interest I believe. It’s also a great place for a wander along the sea front and fish and chips - although they’ll get that in Bournemouth too, of course.

The ruins of Corfe Castle are very dramatic if your son is interested in history. Kirrin Castle in the Famous Five books is based on Corfe Castle, so if he read those books when he was younger that might add to the interest, too.

A beautiful part of the world! Hope they have a lovely time.

Incase you tried to Google it. The abandoned world war 2 village us called Tyneham not Twynham.

www.visit-dorset.com/listing/tyneham-village/13633301/

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits thank you!

Just double checked and looks like Tyneham village is only open at weekends. DH & DS should be heading back on Saturday so they’ll have to plan on what time they’re hoping to head back home.

How long does it take to walk around the village?

Splashdown water park in Poole. Dts loved it so did I