With 15 miles of golden sands between them, more than 25 water sports on offer and over 1,000 hectares of gardens and parks, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole offer an unbeatable three-in-one escape by the sea for all the family that needn’t break the bank.
Poole boasts the largest natural harbour in Europe and it’s really easy to hop on a boat and explore it, you can even visit one of the islands in the harbour, Brownsea Island.
Here, you can have your own woodland adventure, follow the interactive trail and discover birds and wildlife (and perhaps a rare red squirrel) and reward yourself with a chocolate egg at the end. Easter trails from 23 March to 13 April 2024.
Poole is also within fossil-throwing distance of the Jurassic Coast, a treasure trove for any dinosaur fans, whatever their ages.
You can even join a guided Fossil Walk with Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre’s Wardens to find and take home your own Jurassic fossil!
If you’re an adventurous family and fancy taking to the water yourselves to see the Jurassic Coast, you can do exactly that this year for the first time.
Thanks to new access granted from The National Trust, Dorset-based outdoor activities company, Land & Wave, has launched new kayaking trips from Studland to Old Harry Rocks.
The new tour follows the wild northern shores of Studland and around the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks, allowing kayakers to experience up-close the scale and texture of this iconic landmark from an entirely new perspective.
With 155 miles of cycle routes between them, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole offer superb choice for experts and beginners.
Hire a bike and go explore! For some of the saftest and most picturesque cycle routes in the area you can cycle along the promenade that connects the three towns (except in July and August).
Bournemouth’s Middle and Upper Gardens slice right through the town, leading all the way to Poole. Some 30,000 trees grace the town’s parks and gardens, including a Giant Redwood.
Take a walk through the gardens, along the banks of the River Bourne, past a Gothic-style Victorian water tower and on to the wooded walkways.
And on those rare non-sunny days (Bournemouth’s one of the sunniest places in the UK), then there’s the spectacular Oceanarium on Bournemouth’s Pier Approach.
Here, you can experience an underwater adventure around the oceans of the world and the underwater tunnel for that full immersion experience.
There are 11 naturally themed zones where you can see sharks, crocodile, penguins, clownfish, otters and a loggerhead turtle, and you can be there at feeding time too!
For outstanding views and a place to stretch those legs, visit Hengistbury Head, a Site of Scientific Interest, this beautiful nature reserve overlooks Christchurch Harbour, Bournemouth Bay and the Isle of Wight.
Originally an Iron Age trading port, it dates back to at least 100BC, it’s now home to more than 500 plant species, 300 bird breeds and a huge variety of insects and reptiles.
Kick-start your love or bird watching here! Hengistbury Head Visitor Centreorganises a host of events including Birdsong for Beginners, Birds and Breakfast and Spring Poetry walks.
Just beyond Christchurch, is the opulent Highcliffe Castle, one time home to the wild-living Harry Selfridge from the department store.
Easter at the castle starts on Friday 29 March and runs through to Thursday 11 April with Easter crafts and Easter activities inside the castle and an Easter trail outside in the grounds through the ornate lawns and surrounding woodland.
Wherever you decide to visit with the family, if it’s nature you’re looking for, these three coastal towns have so much to offer.
And with plenty of activities to suit all tastes, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are the perfect staycation destination this spring!
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