Sandbanks - need help please

[Babyannabell]

We are off to Sandbanks soon for our holiday and wondered if anyone could recommend any nice child friendly restaurants, good take aways, days out etc. We've been to Farmer Palmers and will definitely go there again and are considering a trip up to Longleat but any other advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks

Poole Park - feed the ducks/fish/swans, playground, mini trainride, gus gorillas indoor play area, cafe.

Boat Trip from Poole Quay to Brownsea Island - take a picnic. Lots of walking.

Serendipty Sams indoor playarea in Christchurch.

Tower Park - Cinema, Splashdown, Bowling (they are refurbishing at moment so check they are open), lots of restaurants.

Swimming Pools - Poole Dolphin, Littledown Centre Bournemouth.

Monkey World
Alice in Wonderland (very good day out but bit pricey)

Where are you staying in Sandbanks? I live in Poole.

Thanks for that Sparkler, some really good ideas there, forgot about Brownsea Island as the boat ride is so nice too.

We are staying at a house just down from Sandbanks Hotel. Lucky you living in Poole, we come down each year and love it there.

We are lucky living here. I took it all for granted before I had children. We now go out and about loads.
Feel free to give me a shout if I can help with anything.
When are you coming?

We are travelling down on Saturday just for a week and are so looking forward to it, apparently the weather is looking better too which will be great. Thanks for the offer of help, it's so nice of you.

Open top bus from Sandbanks to Bournemouth or even on to Hengistbury Head, where you can picnic or ride on a train.

There's a pub at Holes Bay which has a play area outside (never been there though!). The Baker's Arms which would be on the way back from Farmer Palmer's has a play area inside and out.

In Bournemouth there's the Oceanarium by the Pier and a Wacky Warehouse with great views of the beach and pier. Upstairs from that is a child friendly pub. You can go on a train ride on the prom.

At Boscombe Pier there's the Neptune pub, a Brewsters, with a children's play area (think you have to pay for that one), it's right on the beach.

Further afield is Wimborne Model Village which is good for little ones.

(I'm surprised Sparkler didn't mention any pubs !).

Thanks a lot for your suggestions Surfermum, I'd forgotten about the oceanarium too! Some great ideas for us there, thanks.

My pleasure. Have a lovely time.

Oi!!!!!!!!!!!

Moors Valley (www.moors-valley.co.uk) , Swanage & the steam railway (get chain ferry across from Sandbanks) Mudeford Quay for crabbing.

Of course, Moors Valley. It's a great day out there. Car parking costs a bit but you don't have to pay entry into the park and there's loads for the kids.

KP haven't seen in you in ages - how are you?

Thanks Kittypickly they look great, haven't done any of those, like the crabbing idea a lot and moors park looks fab on the website.

"Kittypickly"!! Has a nice ring to it I think! Sorry! I must pay more attention.....

There's a Harry Ramsden's chippy by Bournemouth Pier, but by far the best chippy (award winning) is Chez Fred in Westbourne (Seamoor/Seabourne Rd??).

BTW, Alice in Wonderland is now called "Adventure Wonderland" (just found that out myself), opposite the Airport.

I've always been very jealous of people staying in the Sandbanks Hotel, especially when I'm queueing for the ferry! Have a lovely time!

psst, Hello Surfermum, Kittypickle and Sparkler!

oops, just put my glasses on and read that again, your staying near the hotel!

Just remembered Putlake Farm near Swanage as well.

Thanks Jodee, good one for the fish and chips, will definitely try that one. We did used to stay at the hotel but now find it easier to do self catering with little ones, it was nice though. The Brasserie is lovely and worth a visit.

"vesuvius" is a fab child friendly restaurant on the beach with play area at Alum Chine..we also like the main municipal park in poole town - lake, childs train, indoor soft play area, nice park cafe etc...ber thing is to ring "Guardian Angels" local highly regarded babysitting agency..we have the same lady to babysit each year when we go down...then have some well earned glamorous time having sundown cocktails at Harbour Heights hotel/or The Haven...dinner at The Cow in Parkstone...which house are you staying in we stay on Chaddesly Wood - direct in to the beach ..outdoor hot shower..the weekly fireworks display is just outside the house which we watch from our roof terrace....this is the best holiday we ever have and have been going for the last 5 years..we always try to go on trips but we have always had great weather and the children just wander on to a deserted beach at 7am whilst we watch having breakfast from the house///bliss

Thanks for the message Knakered and everyone else who gave us such great ideas. We're back now and had a fabulous time, the weather was amazing so we didn't do half the things we meant to as we were on the beach so much. Jodee, Chez Fred was the best fish and chips we've ever had - we went twice!! Knakered, we stay on Chaddesley Wood Road too, the location is perfect isn't it, we go each year to the same house and love it and never want to come home! When are you going?

babyannabell = can we have a link? looks like a place we'd like to stay.

Lexiemum we always book through Rumsey Holiday Homes, don't know how to do links I'm afraid but the website is rhh.org and then go to the beachfront properties or alternatively they have some houses and flats a short walk from the beach which are a bit cheaper. It's the perfect place for a family beach holiday, the beach is immaculate and the sea is so clear, can you tell I want to go back? We took a boat trip on a yacht this time, the website for that is www.charter-oneday.com the skipper collected us from Poole Quay, it was great fun.

babyannabell...we go the first week in August every year to the same house...think No16...yatch charter sounds a great idea

babyannabel...how much did the yacht charter cost...?? had a look at their website...they dont put up prices...dont want to humiliate myself

We paid £110 but for that we had a lovely trip up to Old Harry Rocks and around the harbour, totally worth the money. He really is the sort of person who will just fit in with what you want and price it accordingly. Have fun in August, hope you get fab weather too, just make sure you get to Chez Freds in Westbourne!!