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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Dorset & Hampshire - ideas

23 replies

Clarinet60 · 14/08/2007 20:27

We will be staying in Portsmouth and Hayling Island (just as a cheap base) but plan to travel to Dorset beaches and any good Hampshire attractions.
Boys are 5 and 8.
Ideas gratefully received!!

OP posts:
CristinaTheAstonishing · 17/08/2007 15:05

We are thinking of going to Corfe Castle on Thursday. It was the inspiration for some of Enid Blyton's books, and DS (7) is a great fan of hers.

whoops · 17/08/2007 15:07

Paultons Park near Romsey
Beaulea motor museum

CountessDracula · 17/08/2007 15:08

marwell zoo

zubb · 17/08/2007 15:10

portchester castle
historic dockyards
submarine museum (you can get a boat over from portsmouth harbour)
If you do Corfe Castle you can get a steam train there from Swanage
Isle of Wight

ChippyMinton · 17/08/2007 15:15

The railway has a park & ride at Corfe, easier than parking in Swanage. You can visit the castle, then get the train into Swanage and have fish & chips.

ChippyMinton · 17/08/2007 15:17

Brownsea Island (Kirrin Island in the Famous Five)

Moors Valley Country Park is good

CristinaTheAstonishing · 17/08/2007 15:20

Chippy - we're planning on Corfe Castle as a surprise stop for DS on our way to Cornwall. We won't have time for much else in the area, otherwise the combination with a train ride would have been perfect for him. We plan to stay overnight somewhere in Bridport or nearby to Corfe Castle but we're travelling from London to get there in the first place, so not much time left. Maybe on the way back!

ChippyMinton · 17/08/2007 15:23

You will get a great view of the castle as you drive from Wareham. Be aware that they are doing works on it at the moment though, so i think much of it is inaccessible to visitors. Might be worth ringing to check.

The station is a short walk away so you could stroll over and see the trains going past.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 17/08/2007 15:46

Ooo hello Droile. We've just come back from Dorset but the other end, near to Lyme Regis. We had a fab time and glorious weather, been that side before though and enjoyed Corfe Castle, the little ferry from Poole, Shell Beach, New Forest and Moors Valley Country Park.

How's things?

princessmel · 17/08/2007 15:49

I will second Paultons Park.

And Highcliffe beach is lovely. Nothing there so peacefull.

zubb · 17/08/2007 15:59

The beaches at Wittering - which is really near to Hayling Island used to be good, rather than travel a long way west. Someone else might know more though.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 17/08/2007 16:01

I like the New Forest Otter sanctuary. Studland Bay is good. Marwell zoo?

Clary · 17/08/2007 22:23

Corfe Castle is good (go when there's a summer activity on - we were there for a fab circus workshop). Yes go on the steam train.

Also boat trip to Brownsea Island (National trust like Corfe).

Studland Bay is nice beach as Dorset goes (not a patch on Pembrokeshire tho).

Highlight of our holiday there for the kids was an open topped bus ride (from Swanage) on a ferry towards Poole. How will the bus get scross the water? Will the boat sink? Will we stay on it?" etc etc

Original poster
Clarinet60 · 18/08/2007 11:18

Wow, thanks everyone!

OP posts:
Original poster
Clarinet60 · 18/08/2007 11:20

Hello Saggar, not too bad ATM, thanks. DS2 is still in a stable phase, having seizures but nothing else. Scans still show no further growth.
Hope things are well with you.

OP posts:
aDad · 18/08/2007 11:26

with boys of 5 and 8 I think Beaulieu would be a safe bet!

BernieBear · 18/08/2007 11:42

Monkey World & Bovington Tank Museum.
Think there is a butterfly farm around that area too.
Longdown Dairy Farm - near Southampton
Steam Train ride to Swanage is excellent.
Will second studland bay - beautiful.
Lulworth Cove for Fossil hunting - good ice cream too

If money is no object Beaulieu and Marwell.

Had some great hols in Dorset as a child

Niecie · 18/08/2007 11:54

Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth is good and Historic Dockyard. My boys love it. The Sealife Centre in Southsea.

We love Winchester too with Arthur's Round Table. Pretty little city.

Beaulieu is definitely a must for small boys.

I would think that if you want to do beaches you wouldn't want to go much further than Bournmouth and Poole as Weymouth and the Jurassic coast are a bit of a trek from Portsmouth.

Original poster
Clarinet60 · 19/08/2007 00:03

Fab ideas, thanks.

OP posts:
Bibis · 19/08/2007 00:06

In my hazy recollections Wimborne model town is rather good , brownsea island is a defintite, what about a cruise around the harbour? - something a bit different.

Whatever you do, have a great time

brimfull · 19/08/2007 00:12

the raptor and reptile centre a stone's throw from my house.

Moors valley great for that age.

alsoadventure wonderland near bournemouth airport

mudeford quay for catching crabs is always a hit with kids

brimfull · 19/08/2007 00:14

info about mudeford

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/08/2007 11:13

Droile - things good here at the moment, thanks for asking.

Have a great holiday

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