Blandford

[mumtojoe1]

We've just found out we will be moving to Blandlford at the end of the year. I am due to have a baby this month - so it'll be 6 or 7 months old and also have a 19 month old.

Can anyone tell me what its like there, in particular what it's like for for baby & toddler groups & meeting people?

I know it's a fairly quiet area and I am fine with that, we wanted somewhere quiet in the country & not too far from the seaside for the kids & caravanning so think it should suit us from that point of view.

Well - you're not too far from Weymouth and the beautiful Jurassic Dorset coast. And so close to get the Isle of Wight ferry for the day.

We have a caravan there. We are going at beginning of may and end of may.
Nice. Very quiet. very small. very countrified.

There is a children's centre in Blandford which runs groups. You are about 25 mins from Dorchester and about the same distance to Poole so quite centrally located. Its a great area for families though Blandford itself isn't that exciting, close to Monkey World, the beach etc.

Monkey World is great and lots of lovely shopping market towns nearby.

There is a M&T on Camp, although the nicer one is in Pimperne Village on a Wednesday Morning, just outside the back gate.

There is a brilliant swimming pool for children, really warm.

A small cinema and bowling Alley on camp, and lots of nice resturants in the town.

Not much choice in dentist, and one surgery on camp, although another one in the town.

If you can, ask for houses in South Cresent, Valley Rd, Crossway, Hillside or Racedown, all older houses that have just been refurbished to a high standard. They are the only houses with much of a garden as well.

There are two preschools on camp, Cygnets attached to the school, and Little Jimmy's opposite, Jimmy's also has a creche.

Anything else

Blandford is a shithole tbh, but Dorset is beautiful, Poole and Bmth are great and there are loads of things to do in Dorset with kids and the beaches are the best in England IMO.

agree with mrsf. I liked it there, good community feel I felt.

Dorset's lovely, we just moved from there and I miss it. We were at Blandford but got a house in Bovington which was rubbish for DH commuting but brilliant for me cos there's a children's centre there with lots of stuff going on. Swannage is lovely, Farmer Palmer's family farm is really good for all ages. Shopping you can get all you need in Poole/Dorchester. Studland bay is a fantastic beach, and Lulworth Cove has a good chippy. The Swannery is a bit of a drive but is free for forces personnel so it's worth an outing in the sunnier weather.

One of the best things I have ever done since being posted to Blandford with a baby is to join a brilliant local Mums and Tots music group. It's called Playsongs, the website is www.playsongsplus.com and it is run by a couple of very talented musicians called Nickie and Gill. They play guitar and piano and sing beautiful harmonies, whether it's boogie-woogie or mellow lullaby. It's a real fix of joyful, seasonal uplifting music. Several mums bring more than one child and Nickie and Gill make them all feel so welcome. If you go on their website and go to the CD link you can listen to them in advance and even buy the CD, fab for long journeys, no more 'wheels on the bus'!

I run a baby and toddler group in pimperne just outside blandford. It's on a weds morning in the village hall and is a lovely friendly group. If you want any more info just message me. It starts at 9.30 xx

Hi Jo, I live in Blandford and I'm struggling to find any baby groups here so I would be interested in yours, do you know if there is a bus from Blandford that would stop close by?

Kayleigh, there are quite a few babygroups in Blandford, are you on camp, or in the town? PM me if you prefer

Hello ladies I am going to be bringing a baby and mama fitness class to Blandford Forum .... it's a class you can get fit and take the babies and children with you. No need for child care. I am looking at venues but where would you local ladies like to see this near you? Lots of village halls but where is closest to you all? X