Fancy a weekend in Bournemouth together with your toddler? I went just a few weeks in the past, let me present you what we obtained as much as…
Reggie and I took off to Bournemouth for the weekend to benefit from the seaside, the limitless potentialities for ice cream, and all of the various kinds of automobiles we might probably discover.
We’d been invited to remain within the tremendous cool and stylish Shell Home, only a few minutes from the seaside. It was a ravishing base to discover the Bournemouth neighborhood, and I’d suggest it to all. Take a look at the pics under.
Bournemouth was nice. TBH I’m fairly smitten with that a part of the UK proper now, and have been testing the RightMove potentialities since I returned. I at the moment dwell in Hampshire, it’s completely doable. However, sufficient about my by no means ending deliberation about the place I ought to dwell, right here’s what me and my toddler did in Bournemouth for a beautiful and memorable weekend.
What to Do With Toddlers in Bournemouth
Nicely, it’s what we loved there anyway.
1. West Cliff Lifts / Funicular
The West Cliff Funicular was just a few minutes’ stroll from the place we have been staying at The Shell Home. My 2 and a half yr outdated son beloved it.
Get on on the prime (or backside by the seaside) and also you’ll experience a few minute up or down the cliff. You’ll get to see nice views throughout the sandy seaside, and it’s fairly helpful for getting round too. It was inbuilt 1908, ‘earlier than the Titanic!’ the man working the raise proudly instructed me.
It’s signposted as a raise, however the identical man was telling me how actually, it’s a funicular. Nicely, seeing as that phrase is extra enjoyable to say, let’s keep on with that.
The West Cliff’s Funicular’s two vehicles function in tandem, offering a fast and picturesque path to get to the place you wish to be. It operates seasonally and was £2.75 after I was there – below 5s have been free.
2. Playground at Alum Chine
Clearly there are numerous playgrounds within the Bournemouth space, however this one is on the seaside WITH SAND to cushion the tumbles. Good.
It was additionally subsequent to a restaurant, which I didn’t attempt however seemed fashionable for households. It was additionally on the Land Practice’s route, which is how we discovered it within the first place. The Land Practice, which was adorned with Peppa Pig on our journey, makes a cease there and turns round, so it’s a straightforward go to.
In addition to a pirate ship in the midst of the playground, there have been additionally stations for water play and sand play, a giant slide, swings and many posts popping up from the bottom to stability on. Nice little park!
Reggie and I stayed at Bournemouth Seaside Hideaways’ beautiful Shell Home. It was only a few minutes stroll to the West Cliffs Funicular and never removed from city. It was additionally simply not far away from one of many Hop On Hop Off stops. Nice location!
It’s the within that actually stuns although – simply have a look at the images under.
With 5 king bedrooms (one with a bunk mattress too), a big lounge, huge eating space and open plan kitchen, 4 bogs and out of doors area, it’s good for households.
We stayed for 2 nights and beloved having this backyard to loosen up in. We ate our breakfast on the market, and I loved an al fresco G+T in nap time (nice location to get again for the nap schedule).
the way to guide
The Shell Home
The decor right here has obtained me rethinking my entire home – beloved the pastel vibes. It’d even be an important area for a hen get together, in the event you’re trying. In addition to the rooms right here, there are one other three on the highest flooring too!
3. Metropolis Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Tour
The Bournemouth Metropolis Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Tour was nice. I used to be feeling fairly burned out on the solo parenting and maintaining with Reggie’s great pleasure for every part, together with the ten second consideration span. So, sitting on a bus for an hour, the place he was blocked in on the seat, was simply what I wanted for my journey to Bournemouth with a toddler.
He was thrilled sitting on the highest of the open prime bus, and waving in any respect the little individuals going by. I used to be having fun with the breeze on a scorching day, and appreciated the guided tour. I additionally beloved being so excessive that we might see into the wealthy individuals’s gardens and homes from our seat.
It took us by way of Westbourne, the Carlton Cliffs space, round Sandbanks, and we ended up in Poole. We obtained off at Poole Quay, like a lot of the bus clientele.
We had a stunning two-hour look spherical and a little bit of (disappointing) lunch, after which rode the bus again once more for Reggie’s nap. It dropped us proper close to The Shell Home on the West Cliff cease.
When you have the time, I’d positively suggest spending longer at Poole Quay and doing a ship journey of some type. I’d go to Brownsea Island subsequent time!
4. Bournemouth Seaside
Bournemouth Seaside makes for probably the greatest free days out within the UK. It has seven miles of golden sands, lined with ice cream parlours, cafes, eating places and beautiful coastal walks.
Considered one of my favorite moments of this journey was Reggie and I sharing a dinner at West Seaside Restaurant by Bournemouth Pier. We’d managed to bag some solar loungers that had a giant signal saying you needed to pay, however nobody appeared bothered, and lay there with a rooster burger and chips, and an orange squash to share. Good. It was so sunny and wonderful, the entire expertise was absolute vacation vibes!
We additionally had a very pretty night simply taking part in within the sand, and paddling on the shore after going to Rockwater Restaurant. I’ll return to Bournemouth, simply to do that after dinner.
5. Bournemouth Oceanarium
Considered one of my NCT buddies instructed me how nice Bournemouth Oceanarium was for little ones, and ever since I’ve wished to take Reggie. I can say with the voice of expertise that it is nice for little ones, even those that appeared to completely ignore the animals and simply make a beeline for the lifts and stairs.
Little interest in feeding time within the lizard home, however all of the curiosity for going up and down within the lifts. That’s Reggie!
Among the best issues in regards to the Bournemouth Oceanarium was the actual fact you possibly can go out and in all day after you have your ticket. It’s proper on the seaside, so we saved coming out to see what was occurring. And in once more. And out. And in…
Some actually fascinating animals in there although – need to go on my own subsequent time.
6. Bournemouth Land Practice
It’s now two weeks for the reason that nice weekend in Bournemouth with my toddler, and that is what I’ve heard about most since.
The Land Practice.
He beloved it.
We went on it efficiently the primary day – simply managing to catch the final one of many day from the Oceanarium as much as Branksome Chine. However, the following day we tried to get it, and it didn’t flip up.
This, is Reggie’s favorite story from the journey: The Time The Practice Didn’t Flip Up.
When it did arrive, it was nice! The driving force and his assistant have been tremendous pleasant and we managed to get the buggy on simply sufficient. Reggie beloved all of the stops, and waving at individuals as we went alongside. We did the loop and got here again once more to the Oceanarium, which handed about an hour for £8.50.
Because it was the final one of many day, we couldn’t take all of it the best way to Boscombe Pier – however you may. Yow will discover all the main points of the Bournemouth Land Practice right here.
7. Bournemouth Large Wheel
Yep, up we went. Whether or not this is likely one of the finest issues to do in Bournemouth with toddlers is right down to your toddler, however I loved it!
Reggie, not a lot. After being determined to go up he was able to get off after one rotation. Fortunate for us, we obtained three!
8. Poole Park and Railway
Oh Poole Park was nice.
We had a stunning time driving the Poole Park Railway as quickly as we arrived. And the doorway on Google Maps led us to an excellent playground for some toddler enjoyable. It was subsequent to The Ark, which was a neighborhood centre with a restaurant and… smooth play.
It was probably the greatest smooth performs I’ve been to really. My two and a half yr outdated beloved it, and it was straightforward for me too. In Southsea the place I dwell we now have this huge one referred to as Exploria, and it’s only a huge overstimulation (for me) each time we go.
The one in The Ark was an important dimension for an hour’s leisure, and the cafe served very nice jacket potatoes too!
Extra issues to do in Bournemouth for toddlers
Take a look at my information to a weekend in Dorset if you wish to discover the county additional afield. Go to Bridport, Lyme Regis and West Bay with my insider information.
English Heritage and Nationwide Belief websites could make for an excellent journey out for a toddler – there’s typically numerous area for a run round, they usually normally get in free of charge too. The closest ones to Bournemouth embody Christchurch Citadel and Kingston Lacy.
We had an important weekend in Bournemouth, and because it’s solely an hour or so from us, I do know I’ll be again!
