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There is still nothing quite like a brisk hike or casual stroll along the seafront between Alum Chine and Southbourne, sipping a takeaway coffee, enjoying the promenade art, and throwing a ball to your wagging and happy dog!
The town is blessed with two piers: the imperious Bournemouth Pier, with its eclectic mix of cafes, street art, and adrenalin-filled activity, is slowly re-opening, and the end-of-pier views are stunning and should never be underestimated. Its much more low-key neighbour, Boscombe Pier, is nevertheless an important minimalist landmark for surfers, dog walkers, and runners and is nearby several cool cafes and restaurants serving excellent takeaway. The undulating Boscombe Chine Gardens are yet another example of somewhere floral, tranquil, and green to take a stroll this spring.
In the extraordinary Grade II-listed Bournemouth Gardens, you can follow the fascinating Tree Trail, which helps you learn how to identify trees in their glorious surroundings. It takes approximately two hours and identifies 12 types of trees, including Redwood, Cypress and Palm. Alternatively, you can simply take a walk along the Bourne Stream that runs directly through the gardens, framed by the beautiful Victorian shrubbery, and look out for the water tower built in 1885 in the Upper Gardens or the iconic Band Stand situated nearer the beach in the Lower Gardens.
Located by Bournemouth Pier, Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf offers 18 holes of action-packed adventure. Experience Bournemouth’s past as you smuggle your ball past treacherous rocks, church ruins, and waterfalls. Packed with challenges, the themed course is perfect for some friendly family rivalry. Bournemouth Seafront, with its sparkling waves and sandy beach, provides the perfect backdrop for this delightful outdoor attraction.
Situated between Bournemouth and Mudeford in Christchurch, Hengistbury Head is a site of special scientific interest and a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and ramblers alike. The nature reserve is a great place to walk and take in the dramatic scenery.
Bournemouth is a very bike-friendly town with its numerous bike trails. You can use the community cycle and scooter scheme from Beryl. Other outdoor activities include tennis (Bournemouth Gardens; Branksome Park), golf (Queens Park Golf Course), and how about open-water swimming in the sea?
There are some amazing venues in the wider area, some of which should make your list this Easter weekend, such as the 12th Century Sherborne Old Castle in North Dorset with its plethora of wildlife, birds, and flowers, and Upton Country Park in Poole, which boasts acres of woodland, a beautiful botanical Walled Garden, the Pleasure Grounds (the area between the Georgian Upton House and the shoreline), children’s play areas, and various walk and cycle trails. Further west in the Dorset countryside, the iconic thousand-year-old Corfe Castle is very much open, although booking is essential, and just outside Christchurch, the blooming grounds of the 19th-century Highcliffe Castle and the nearby Steamer Point Nature Reserve are well worth a visit.
There are numerous popular places to discover across the coastline, showing the joys of springtime and new life, as well as fabulous popular attractions such as The Tank Museum, The Oceanarium, Monkey World, Paulton’s Park, and Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park. They are all waiting to welcome you and your family this Easter.
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