weekend in Bournemouth area with toddler - places to stay? things to do?

[BookroomRed]

I'll be spending a weekend in the Bournemouth area with a toddler, as DH has a Saturday afternoon work even near there. Neither of us knows that part of the world at all, so all recommendations as to a hotel, beauty spots, vegetarian-friendly places to eat are welcome.

I am a non-driver, and will be spending the Saturday afternoon solo with my almost 2 year old - any suggestions on things to do? Someone suggested getting the bus to Swanage, which involved a ferry ride, which sounds great - how long would it take to get there from Bournemouth, and can anyone give me a link to the relevant bus service?

Also, for when DH and the car are with us, any recommendations for particularly beautiful spots along the coast or in the New Forest?

Thank you!

If on the Saturday you want to stay local to Bournemouth Town Centre then you could take the toddler to a few places near by.

These would be good in wet weather: soft play

Oceanarium

You could also visit Bournemouth pier or rent a beach hut

This is the link for the bus to Swanage with the ferry.

For hotels: Urban Beach is nice, but the Harbour Heights is handy for the Swanage ferry. There are lots of hotels in Bournemouth for all prices ranges and depending on your dates lots of offers available. It may be worth checking out Groupon and Travelzoo as they usually have deals on Bournemouth hotels.

For a nice walk you can visit Hengistbury Head and Mudeford Spit. If you don't fancy walking you can catch the Noddy Train which children love. You could get a bus to Hengistbury Head and walk (or Noddy Train) to Mudeford Spit. The beach is nice and you can have a look at some ridiculously priced beach huts There's also a cafe if you fancy something to eat. To come back you can either return the same way or catch the ferry over to Mudeford and return through Christchurch.

For when you have the car, Moors Valley is child friendly but I think a good day out is Corfe Castle There's a few pubs listed here if you decide to visit Corfe.

I'm not particularly knowledgeable about vegetarian restaurant but Dosa World is good if you're on a budget. Mad Cucumber is popular too.

Hopefully I haven't overloaded you with links. If you need any info about anywhere just let me know.

Thank you so much, StrollAlong - apologies for the belated response. That is completely wonderful, and I very much appreciate all the trouble you went to. Normally I'm a 'show up and figure it out' type, but I have a sort of toddler Genghis Khan who needs exercise, and as we live about as far from the sea as is possible in this country) and I grew up on the coast), I am delighted to be back on a coast, especially one that is new to me. And great to hear about the train, and soft play in case of truly awful weather. Though I will be inclined to wrap him in seven waterproof layers and get on with things, unless it's actually blowing a tornado...

Could I ask one more thing, or two more, actually? How long would it take to drive to Lyme Regis from Bournemouth? And I've always wanted to see the New Forest, but realistically, we'll have to do that either on our way down from the midlands on Friday afternoon, or on our way back home on the Sunday - is there anywhere particularly beautiful in terms of a route, or a village you would recommend?

Thanks again!

2- 2 1/2 hours to Lyme? Depends on the traffic (and the weather really) We were in Lyme in Autumn, I love it. If you go make sure you pop to the Cheesemongers.

I would recommend Burley in the New Forest, it's not that far from Bournemouth so you could do it on the way down if you preferred. There are some walks you could do and ponies and cows normally wander around the village.

I know they run deer safaris and wagon rides from the village but I'm not sure of the winter opening times. The village also has quite a few witchcraft shops which are fun to nose around.