Things To Do Guide

There are a variety of different garden centres around Poole and Bournemouth, each with their own character and appeal. Here is a flavour of what is available in the area…

Whilst there is plenty to do in good weather, on rainy days it can be tricky to think of local indoor activities that will suit all the family. To give you some ideas, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best things to do indoors in the Bournemouth and Poole area.

When we first moved to the area, we spent an evening visiting local leisure centres to get a feel for what’s on offer. Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch have a good range and you are sure to find one to suit your needs.

If you’re looking for some live evening entertainment, Bournemouth and Poole offer a wide selection. Options include muscials and the globally acclaimed Bournemouth Syphony Orchestra, to boutique venues serving up circuit comedians, farce theatre and indie bands.

Enjoy buying local produce, cutting down food miles and supporting the local agricultural economy? South East Dorset has a selection of small to medium farm shops nearby, and going West into more rural areas they get bigger and better.

If the weather takes a turn for the worse or you just fancy a relaxed evening out, the cinema is a great choice. We are lucky in this area to have a few places to choose from too, so you can mix things up a bit. Here is our pick of the best cinemas in Poole, Bournemouth and the surrounding area.

Getting fish and chips is a perfect takeaway meal when you don’t feel like cooking. Affordable and tasty, it is the ideal pick me up – in more ways than one. To help you with your search, we have compiled a list of the best fish and chips shops located in popular areas around Bournemouth and Poole.

If you are looking after restless little ones, it is very useful to know where good local soft play facilities are. They are a reliable fallback option as you can go in all weather conditions, are open all year round with good changing facilities, and normally have a decent café serving great coffee and cake.

There has recently been a big surge in the opening of artisan coffee shops in the Poole area. There is nothing nicer than relaxing in the welcoming atmosphere of a great coffee shop. With all those delightful aromas you can enjoy a delicious coffee made by an experienced barista. Here are a few places to try.

There are so many playgrounds in the area it can be hard to know which ones are really worth the time and trouble to visit. We’ve compiled a list of the best ones in Poole and Bournemouth so you can spend time having fun instead.

Here is our list of recommended bike shops in Bournemouth and Poole, together with top-end cycle cafés, bike hire and cycle routes to kick start your search…

The quality of Poole drinking holes varies significantly and it’s not always easy to judge what they are like from the outside. A lot of time can be wasted going in and out of establishments, or just settling for second best. To save time, here is a list of great all-round pubs and bars that appeal inside and out.

Looking for a plant-based meal out in the local area? You are in luck, there has been a recent explosion in vegan eating and there are some marvellous vegan restaurants in Bournemouth and Poole to try right now.

Being in Dorset, you’d expect Bournemouth and Poole to have a few good children’s farms and animal parks nearby; and you won’t be disappointed. These options are all worth a visit if you have children interested in animals and energy to burn.

Who doesn’t enjoy a roast dinner in a cosy pub on a Sunday? That said, it can be a bit more of a challenge when you have little ones to entertain. Here are our top picks of close-by pubs with play areas and more to keep the whole family happy.

You’ve decided you would like to visit Bournemouth for a few days and are now looking for some comfortable and affordable accomodation. It can be difficult to find a good Bournemouth bed and breakfast (B&B), as they are not as well advertised as the larger hotels and the quality can vary. That’s why we’ve pulled together our local knowledge of the area and created a list of top-notch guest houses to help you on your way.

Bournemouth and Poole have some fantastic country parks and areas to explore. If you are looking for a leisurely stroll with tea and cake after, here are some good options.

Christmas will soon be upon us and with it the opportunity to take the kids to visit Father Christmas and perhaps meet the elves and reindeer. Tickets for the popular Santa’s grottos sell out fast, so we’ve compiled a list of 14 recommended venues to consider to give your search a head start.

Looking for some ideas for family things to do over the forthcoming October half term and for Halloween? There are lots of things to do in the area and we’ve selected some of the highlights for you, outdoors and in.