Michelle's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Absolutely beautiful views.
Why not stop for a drink or bite to eat at ‘The Bunker’ before the journey back!?
Saint Catherine's Hill Lane
Saint Catherine's Hill LaneAbsolutely beautiful views.
Why not stop for a drink or bite to eat at ‘The Bunker’ before the journey back!?
Highcliffe Castle is just 3 miles from Christchurch - not only a beautiful and historical building, but the surrounding grounds are perfect for a relaxing stroll or picnic on the lawns. There is also direct access to both a wonderful sandy beach and the unspoilt nature reserve of nearby Steamer Point.
You will find the The Castle Kitchen Tearooms within the grounds, which provides hot and cold drinks along with delicious snacks and homemade cakes.
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112 locals recommend
Highcliffe Castle
Rothesay DriveHighcliffe Castle is just 3 miles from Christchurch - not only a beautiful and historical building, but the surrounding grounds are perfect for a relaxing stroll or picnic on the lawns. There is also direct access to both a wonderful sandy beach and the unspoilt nature reserve of nearby Steamer Point.
You will find the The Castle Kitchen Tearooms within the grounds, which provides hot and cold drinks along with delicious snacks and homemade cakes.
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I cannot believe it’s taken me so many years to visit this place! We had an absolutely magical day out here in April 2021 the scenery is stunning. I can’t wait to return again soon.
204 locals recommend
Brownsea Island
I cannot believe it’s taken me so many years to visit this place! We had an absolutely magical day out here in April 2021 the scenery is stunning. I can’t wait to return again soon.
Places to eat and drink CHRISTCHURCH
The Bunker Bar and Café
7 Marlow DriveMum's Cafe
Fairmile RoadJust a 10 minute walk from our place. Really welcoming and lovely place to eat.
My most favourite Thai restaurant ever! Highly recommend.
23 locals recommend
The Rising Sun Thai & Pan-Asian
123 PurewellMy most favourite Thai restaurant ever! Highly recommend.
I only recently discovered this place and it is fab! The garden is beautiful and the food and drinks were amazing!
Dirty Gerties Gin Parlour
11 Castle StreetI only recently discovered this place and it is fab! The garden is beautiful and the food and drinks were amazing!
Great food and atmosphere. There is a DJ Friday and Saturday evenings so you can dance the night away!
15 locals recommend
Soho
7 Church StGreat food and atmosphere. There is a DJ Friday and Saturday evenings so you can dance the night away!
The Boathouse
Quay RoadGreat location on Christchurch Quay and fab food.
Arcado Lounge
71 High StCentral location, nice atmosphere and great food
Always a winner with the kids! Central location and friendly staff. Say hi to Bruno for me!
6 locals recommend
Pizza Express
73 High StAlways a winner with the kids! Central location and friendly staff. Say hi to Bruno for me!
Club Restaurant at Captain's Club Hotel
Wick LaneThe Jetty
95 MudefordChristchurch HarSPA
95 MudefordThe Bar at the Kings Arms
18 Castle StThe Riverside
220 Belle Vue RdLoch & Quay
24 Church StLovely restaurant and food. Hugh Grant once ate here whilst on his holidays!
7 locals recommend
Masala Bay
24 Bridge StLovely restaurant and food. Hugh Grant once ate here whilst on his holidays!
Ye Olde George Inn
2A Castle StThe Thomas Tripp
10 Wick LnFantastic pub! Big outdoor area. Often live music.
The Ship Inn
23A High StPinocchio
5 Church StOld school Italian restaurant.
Walkable in about an hour from
our place using the scenic footpath. Lovely sunny beer garden and good food.
Avon Causeway Hotel
Avon CausewayWalkable in about an hour from
our place using the scenic footpath. Lovely sunny beer garden and good food.
Places to go
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Horton RoadOur favourite local attraction. It truly is a wonderful day out for all ages!
28 locals recommend
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
Our favourite local attraction. It truly is a wonderful day out for all ages!
Oceanarium
Pier ApproachWe recently visited with our 4 & 6 year old children and had a really lovely day out. Animals, rides, a maze, soft play and live shows! Plus the added bonus of watching planes as you’re right by Bournemouth Airport! ✈️
61 locals recommend
Adventure Wonderland
Merritown LaneWe recently visited with our 4 & 6 year old children and had a really lovely day out. Animals, rides, a maze, soft play and live shows! Plus the added bonus of watching planes as you’re right by Bournemouth Airport! ✈️
Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre & Snowsports Shop
Matchams LaneHours of fun for a rainy day ! Our children absolutely love this place!
10 locals recommend
Lemur Landings
Yarrow RoadHours of fun for a rainy day ! Our children absolutely love this place!
Splashdown
Tower ParkAnother great place for the family on a rainy day!
Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre
Crow LaneRegent Centre
51 High StBournemouth Aviation Museum
Merritown LaneThere is something so therapeutic about picking your own strawberries!
12 locals recommend
Sopley Farm
Derritt LaneThere is something so therapeutic about picking your own strawberries!
Our kids love it here. Great park, walks and the cafe does the best fry up ever !
21 locals recommend
Avon Heath Country Park
Brocks PineOur kids love it here. Great park, walks and the cafe does the best fry up ever !
If aviation is your thing then this is a must! We took our children a couple of years ago and they loved sitting in old buses, helicopters, planes etc. Plus as you’re right by Bournemouth airport it’s ideal for plane spotting ! ✈️
14 locals recommend
Bournemouth Aviation Museum
Merritown LaneIf aviation is your thing then this is a must! We took our children a couple of years ago and they loved sitting in old buses, helicopters, planes etc. Plus as you’re right by Bournemouth airport it’s ideal for plane spotting ! ✈️
Places to go a little further afield
Marwell Zoo
Thompson's LanePaultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World
Beaulieu
Exbury Gardens
A fantastic value for money day out and the ferry crossing from Lymington to the Isle of Wight is an added adventure for the kids!
122 locals recommend
Blackgang Chine
A fantastic value for money day out and the ferry crossing from Lymington to the Isle of Wight is an added adventure for the kids!
We visit Weymouth for a weekend every year and always go to the Sea Life centre. Easy to spend a whole day here with a huge park and splash park too!
81 locals recommend
SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth
We visit Weymouth for a weekend every year and always go to the Sea Life centre. Easy to spend a whole day here with a huge park and splash park too!
Furzey Gardens
School LaneBeautiful gardens and fairy doors for the little ones to find!
Longdown Activity Farm
Deerleap LaneTake Aways & local shops/services
Dragon Palace II
8 High StreetThis is who we always use for our Chinese takeaways.
Closest shop to us. Opening times in photos. Has a free ATM inside.
Co-op Food - Christchurch - Fairmile Road
202 Fairmile RdClosest shop to us. Opening times in photos. Has a free ATM inside.
Fairmile Fisheries
Fairmile RoadPretty much next door to the Coop so walkable. Lovely fish and chips. CASH ONLY!
United Taxis
164 Holdenhurst RdPlaces to eat & drink SOUTHBOURNE
Dicky's
54-56 Southbourne GroveBest steak I’ve ever had !
Amazing place ! Fab atmosphere and always a good night !
34 locals recommend
Renoufs Cheese and Wine Bar
48 Poole RdAmazing place ! Fab atmosphere and always a good night !
Ludo Lounge
34 Southbourne GroveBe sure to check out ‘The Library’ upstairs - quirky cocktail bar can be booked separately.
77 locals recommend
The Larder House
4 Southbourne GroveBe sure to check out ‘The Library’ upstairs - quirky cocktail bar can be booked separately.
We got married here! Beautiful garden and they do a great bottomless brunch if that’s your thing. Check out their website for details.
8 locals recommend
Cliff House Hotel
We got married here! Beautiful garden and they do a great bottomless brunch if that’s your thing. Check out their website for details.
Brewhouse & Kitchen - Southbourne
147 Parkwood RdTuckton Tea Gardens
Belle Vue RoadCafe Riva
Boscombe Overcliff DriveSpyglass & Kettle
25-27 Stourwood AveDarcy's Bar & Kitchen
1089 Christchurch RoadNeighbourhoods
Just a 10 minute drive from Christchurch. Gorgeous beaches & lovely places to eat. See my places to eat SOUTHBOURNE for recommendations.
48 locals recommend
Southbourne
Just a 10 minute drive from Christchurch. Gorgeous beaches & lovely places to eat. See my places to eat SOUTHBOURNE for recommendations.