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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

ideas for a winters day out in wiltshire / hampshire / dorset...

26 replies

zubb · 27/09/2004 11:41

I'm stuck for ideas of where to go for ds2 first birthday which is in November. For ds1 who also has a winter birthday we went to Bournemouth aquarium which was great but don't want to do the same. As he'll only be 1 I was thinking along the animal / fish line, but any other suggestions would be great. The only other places I can think of are farms, but we do those quite a lot, or monkey world, but could be too cold / wet.
As the title says it could be in wiltshire, hampshire or dorset,
Thanks,

OP posts:
Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:18

bump..
just want to watch it go down the active list again....

OP posts:
codswallop · 27/09/2004 12:18

age?

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:19

1

OP posts:
codswallop · 27/09/2004 12:19

go whereever YOU want ot go
he wont be any the wiser! or have a cake at home and spend hthe money on a nice meal out fro you

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:20

not expecting him to really know whats going on, its more for us really - just don't want to start down the birthday party route yet. Ds1 will be 3 and still won't have had a party.

OP posts:
codswallop · 27/09/2004 12:21

I would go out with ds3 and take him someheree he wants to go then

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:22

just can't think of anywhere around, so doesn't have to be birthday linked - we tend to do outside stuff, walks, farms etc, but after spending Saturday walking int eh rain, think we should be able to think of some indoor things.
Is there still an aquarium in Poole?

OP posts:
codswallop · 27/09/2004 12:24

if it was sunny but cold you could stiill moors valley?

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:27

yes, we love Moors valley, just being difficult and trying to think of a rain option! Spend loads of time in the New forest anyway.
Have you been to Brokerswood - whats there?

OP posts:
suzywong · 27/09/2004 12:33

We went to Farmer Palmers on a very rainy July day and it was OK. There are at leat 2 indoor areas. It's near Wimborne isn't it?

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:35

thanks Suzywong but where's wimborne I'm not very good with Dorset geography past Bournemouth / Poole way.

OP posts:
codswallop · 27/09/2004 12:37

go and travel ont he escaltors in west quay!

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:39

LOL - ds1 loves the lift at West Quay - have to get him to try the escalators next time!

OP posts:
suzywong · 27/09/2004 12:40

actually it's near organford

don't titter

I went there when I visited my sister who lives in Bournemouth

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:46

thanks suzy, looks good. The farm near us has a bouncy castle, so we have to avoid that at first or we don't get to see any animals - looks like the same thing would happen there!

OP posts:
suzywong · 27/09/2004 12:47

this bouncy castle is past the animals IIRC

Kittypickle · 27/09/2004 12:47

I've never been but I've heard quite a few people say that Seredipity Sam's in Christchurch is very good, one of those soft play areas places. Think there is still an aquarium in Poole on the quay but I'm not sure. I did Farmer Palmer's on a wet November day and it was fine, apart from being stupid enough to take a nearly one year old on a tractor ride, she still won't go on one ! What about Marwell zoo ? From memory that's fairly sheltered with some stuff inside. I don't know where abouts you are but have you seen the Dorset meet up thread ?

Original poster
zubb · 27/09/2004 12:49

Thanks Kitty, I'm in Wiltshire. I can remeber seeing the aquarium at Poole, but have a vague memory of someone telling me that it was closed - will google and find out.

OP posts:
lou33 · 27/09/2004 13:11

Drove past signs to Codford in Wilts yesterday and thought of you Coddy.

Joanie · 28/09/2004 11:00

I live a few miles from Marwell and go there quite a lot. I like it but would say it is v exposed, only go there on a warm and not windy day. There is v little indoors only a small tropical world and the shop really! (Oops forgot the lemars who are really good, but might not keep you busy for too long) The encounter village is mostly outside too. We have a yearly pass, but otherwise I think Marwell is a bit expensive - £11 for each adult, kids £8 (I think) but free up to 3yrs old. V good on a sunny day for picnic, quite spacious and there are trains!, but I would save your money if weather not good.
Have been to serendipity sams in Whitchurch (nr Andover) and was quite impressed, they have areas for babies and also for the 3-5 yr old range. There is one in Romsey too.
ps if anyone gets good weather Finkley Down Farm at Andover is great, lots of tractor toys and ride ons, encounter animals, farm animals to look at and good playgrounds, cafe etc. (Closes in winter)

codswallop · 28/09/2004 11:06

hehe
live about 30 mins form codford!

princesspeahead · 28/09/2004 11:19

the train museum in swindon? it is really very good, my 3 yr old loves it, and it has the bonus of being next to the outlet centre, where there is a starbucks that overlooks a safe courtyard playground....

train museum the only good thing about swindon IMO

Original poster
zubb · 28/09/2004 11:41

Thanks joanie - haven't heard of Serendipity Sams before - and princesspeahead - haven't ventured up to Swindon for a very long time, so didn't realise there was anything worth revisiting it for!

OP posts:
princesspeahead · 28/09/2004 11:52

here is the link

Tommy · 28/09/2004 22:47

There's Ollie Oean's World in Southampton (not too far fromt he great Temple of the West Quay) soft play place but definitely better to go there in the week and in the morning as it's toddler time then and cheaper. Is a bit scruffy though ao maybe not special enough for a birthday (I was thinking of suggesting a MN Meetup there sometime actually). Can't think of anywhere else for a one year old that no-one else has though of! Let us know when you find somehwere!