Claire’s guide to Southbourne and surrounding areas
Neighbourhoods
Lovely suburb of Bournemouth with beautiful beaches (less busy than more central ones), views over to the the Isle of Wight and a bustling high street, Southbourne Grove, full of independent shops, smaller supermarkets, bars and restaurants (a useful and nice high street!). Very family friendly. Fisherman's Walk is a green garden which leads down to a pond (popular for tadpole spotting!) and the beach. There is a funicular if you don't fancy the walk up or down the zigzag to the beach. There is a park with sea views near Cafe Riva. Great place for runs, walks and paddleboarding.
48 locals recommend
Southbourne
Lovely suburb of Bournemouth with beautiful beaches (less busy than more central ones), views over to the the Isle of Wight and a bustling high street, Southbourne Grove, full of independent shops, smaller supermarkets, bars and restaurants (a useful and nice high street!). Very family friendly. Fisherman's Walk is a green garden which leads down to a pond (popular for tadpole spotting!) and the beach. There is a funicular if you don't fancy the walk up or down the zigzag to the beach. There is a park with sea views near Cafe Riva. Great place for runs, walks and paddleboarding.
Full of old fashioned charm with a beautiful old church, The Priory, ruins of a Norman Castle, the Redhouse Museum and the ducking stool. A bustling high street with lots of good food and drink options and the Regents Centre, theatre /cinema. Enjoy the river by paddleboard or boat.
198 locals recommend
Christchurch
Full of old fashioned charm with a beautiful old church, The Priory, ruins of a Norman Castle, the Redhouse Museum and the ducking stool. A bustling high street with lots of good food and drink options and the Regents Centre, theatre /cinema. Enjoy the river by paddleboard or boat.
Bournemouth's Gardens lead down to the pier and often have events on. There are lots of carparks (free parking doesn't exist!) There's a cinema complex with restaurants called BH2, shops, lots of crazy golf, escape rooms, Oceanrium, rock climbing, zipline, aracdes, Giant art gallery, Russel Cotes gallery, the BIC and pavilon theatre. Checkout BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole's) website for what's on. At Christmas time there is an outdoor ice rink and beautiful Christmas wonderland!
262 locals recommend
Bournemouth
Bournemouth's Gardens lead down to the pier and often have events on. There are lots of carparks (free parking doesn't exist!) There's a cinema complex with restaurants called BH2, shops, lots of crazy golf, escape rooms, Oceanrium, rock climbing, zipline, aracdes, Giant art gallery, Russel Cotes gallery, the BIC and pavilon theatre. Checkout BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole's) website for what's on. At Christmas time there is an outdoor ice rink and beautiful Christmas wonderland!
Parks & days out with kids
Seafield Gardens
2 Seafield RdPark with nature /fairy garden, playground, tennis courts
Great day out. Forest Park with running and bike trails, Park Run, mini train, playgrounds, playtrails, Go Ape, Sedgeway, Gruffalo trail etc
Take a picnic or go to the cafe. 20 mins drive. Go early to get parked
262 locals recommend
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Horton RoadGreat day out. Forest Park with running and bike trails, Park Run, mini train, playgrounds, playtrails, Go Ape, Sedgeway, Gruffalo trail etc
Take a picnic or go to the cafe. 20 mins drive. Go early to get parked
Splash park and playground next to it by the river. Park at Mayor's Mead or near by
12 locals recommend
The Quomps Splashpark
39A Wick LnSplash park and playground next to it by the river. Park at Mayor's Mead or near by
Local theme park- great for younger children. Near the airport
61 locals recommend
Adventure Wonderland
Merritown LaneLocal theme park- great for younger children. Near the airport
Crabbing, ferry to Mudeford spit, paddleboarding, playground with sea views.
95 locals recommend
Mudeford Quay
Mudeford QuayCrabbing, ferry to Mudeford spit, paddleboarding, playground with sea views.
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
LongthornsMonkeys and playgrounds!
Mini golf, playground, walk, sail or paddleboard the river from Tuckton Tea gardens. Explore Wick Village and nature reserves towards Hengistbury Head or get the ferry over to Christchurch.
35 locals recommend
Tuckton Tea Gardens
Belle Vue RoadMini golf, playground, walk, sail or paddleboard the river from Tuckton Tea gardens. Explore Wick Village and nature reserves towards Hengistbury Head or get the ferry over to Christchurch.
Treasure Island themed park next to the beach and an Italian restaurant. Car park opposite and botanical gardens behind it
11 locals recommend
Alum Chine Play Park
West Undercliff PromenadeTreasure Island themed park next to the beach and an Italian restaurant. Car park opposite and botanical gardens behind it
New Forest Wildlife Park
Deerleap LaneBig hit with the kids- animals and playareas.
Marwell Zoo
Thompson's LaneBrilliant zoo near Winchester about 45min drive
Peppapig world. Also has other themed areas for older kids. 30 ish mins drive
360 locals recommend
Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World
Peppapig world. Also has other themed areas for older kids. 30 ish mins drive
Furzey Gardens
School LaneFor little fairy 🧚♂️lovers!
Upton Country Park
Poole RoadGreat playareas
Fountains to play in the summer
Sopley Farm
Derritt LanePick Your Own 🍓 and other fruits
Lollipops Play Cafe
16 Landseer RoadLovely soft play. Great for rainy days!
Oceanarium
Pier Approach🐧🐧 🐧 Great aquarium and playarea right by the beach and pier
Such a special place! If you're lucky you'll spot red squirrels! Peacocks, wild trails and natural play parks. You need to book through the National Trust and get a ferry over from Poole Quay. There is a cafe.
204 locals recommend
Brownsea Island
Such a special place! If you're lucky you'll spot red squirrels! Peacocks, wild trails and natural play parks. You need to book through the National Trust and get a ferry over from Poole Quay. There is a cafe.
Victorian seaside town. You can drive round using the chain ferry from Sandbanks or get a boat from Poole.
153 locals recommend
Swanage
Victorian seaside town. You can drive round using the chain ferry from Sandbanks or get a boat from Poole.
National Trust. Amazing castle ruins on a hill. Could combine with a trip to Swanage and the steam railway too.
425 locals recommend
Corfe Castle
National Trust. Amazing castle ruins on a hill. Could combine with a trip to Swanage and the steam railway too.
Beautiful park with a huge lake, cafes, soft play, new playareas. You can walk over to Whitecliff Park too which has beautiful harbour views.
16 locals recommend
Poole Park
Poole ParkBeautiful park with a huge lake, cafes, soft play, new playareas. You can walk over to Whitecliff Park too which has beautiful harbour views.
RockReef
Climbing wall on the pier. Zip line from the pier to the shore!
Cinema complex, restaurants, bars, Mulligans golf. Car park underneath.
63 locals recommend
Odeon Bournemouth BH2
Exeter CrescentCinema complex, restaurants, bars, Mulligans golf. Car park underneath.
Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre & Snowsports Shop
Matchams LaneOutside ski slope fun!
Coffee/brunch
Costa and Coffee#1 are both on Southbourne Grove. Checkout Harry's, Deli Rock's, Velodomestique and Little Perth if you want to try an independent ☕
Great cafe - half bike shop, half cafe with healthy food options and great coffee
18 locals recommend
Velo Domestique
176-180 Seabourne RdGreat cafe - half bike shop, half cafe with healthy food options and great coffee
Harry's Coffee House
52a Southbourne GroveNice little cafe
Little Perth
Southbourne RoadFlorist and coffee shop - smells amazing!
Drinks
Huge local pub with events, food and beer garden with beach huts.
46 locals recommend
Brewhouse & Kitchen - Southbourne
147 Parkwood RdHuge local pub with events, food and beer garden with beach huts.
The Way Outback Brewing Company
144 Seabourne RdLocal microbrewery
Ludo Lounge
34 Southbourne GroveFamily friendly. No bookings. Good range of drinks and food
The Wight Bear
65 Southbourne GroveMicrobrewery
Food with a sea/river view
Great cafe and restaurant on the beach front near Boscombe pier.
149 locals recommend
Urban Reef - Seafront Restaurant in Bournemouth
Undercliff DriveGreat cafe and restaurant on the beach front near Boscombe pier.
Bistro On The Beach
Southbourne Coast RoadGreat food and views. Family and dog friendly.
The Noisy Lobster
Gorgeous food and views of Mudeford and the Isle of Wight
The Neptune Harvester
Harvester by the sea. Cheap and cheerful. Great views
The Riverside
220 Belle Vue RdGastro pub with beautiful views over the river.
Harry Ramsden's
Undercliff DriveFish & chips with a view. Child friendly
Food scene
Baffi Pizza
61 Southbourne GroveYummy pizza on the high street. Can book online
Fantastic food, locally sourced. Always one of Dorset's best restaurants on Trip Advisor. Secret bar the Library above it.
77 locals recommend
The Larder House
4 Southbourne GroveFantastic food, locally sourced. Always one of Dorset's best restaurants on Trip Advisor. Secret bar the Library above it.
Loaf and Coal
12 Southbourne GroveNew restaurant by ex-Masterchef contestant.
Makla Deli
217 Seabourne RdGreat Moroccan food. Weekday happy hours
Casa Carlos
211-213 Seabourne RdTapas restaurant
Sister restaurant to Larderhouse. Sustainability and local produce are at the heart of their ethos. Delicious small plates.
19 locals recommend
Terroir Tapas
81 Southbourne GroveSister restaurant to Larderhouse. Sustainability and local produce are at the heart of their ethos. Delicious small plates.
Dicky's
54-56 Southbourne GroveBrasserie. Children over 10 only
Deli Rocks
23 Southbourne GroveGreat Italian fare- pizza, salads, pannis, ice cream
Restaurant Roots
141 Belle Vue RdFine dining - book well in advance if you can get a spot!
Takeaways
Smithson's Fish & Chips
55 Seabourne RdGreat fish and chips takeaway
All India
77 Southbourne GroveGreat Indian takeaway
Thai Kitchen
148 Parkwood RoadGreat takeaway, opposite the Brewhouse pub
Delicious takeaway by Southbourne cross roads. Great meat and veggie options. Can order online
7 locals recommend
Ricky's
121-123 Belle Vue RoadDelicious takeaway by Southbourne cross roads. Great meat and veggie options. Can order online
Great veggie Indian takeaway and restaurant. On Deliveroo
6 locals recommend
Baboo Ji Vegetarian Kitchen
487 489 Christchurch RoadGreat veggie Indian takeaway and restaurant. On Deliveroo