Bristol Airport 2 hr 16
Compton Acres (18 min) Private garden founded in 1920 with visits, an on-site tea room & retail sales of plants & gifts. Knoll Beach Studland (47 min) Beyond its sheltered waters & sandy beach, this scenic locale features a reptile discovery trail. Brownsea Island (53 min) Hiking, picnics & wildlife viewing, especially of red squirrels, are popular at this historic spot. Highcliffe Castle (16 min) Gothic revival mansion dating from 1836, with restored exteriors, plus tearoom and gardens. Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre (10 min) Coastal nature reserve and conservation area with wild flowers and signs of ancient settlement. Bournemouth Pier (11 min) Victorian pier with an amusement arcade, a variety theatre, a cafe and boat trips along the coast. Corfe Castle (44 min) 1000-year-old royal castle shaped by warfare, with ruins to explore, views and a wildlife walk. Old Harry Rocks (1 hr 2) Natural attraction featuring cliffside views of unique chalk formation, accessible by scenic walks. Splashdown (24 min) Waterpark and leisure centre featuring multiple rides and flumes for kids, plus a water play area. Alum Chine Beach (17 min) Picturesque beach offering lifeguards, pubs, ice cream parlors & a pirate-themed playground. Oceanarium (10 min) Explore marine ecosystems at a waterside aquarium, plus feeding sessions and an underwater tunnel. Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (10 min) Eccentric Art Nouveau-style setting for private Victorian art collection and temporary exhibitions. Isle of Purbeck (53 min) Wildflower-filled island with coastal paths, dramatic cliffs, beaches & charming old villages. Adventure Wonderland (18 min) Amusement park with themed rides, inflatable slide, runaway train and trampolines, plus events. The Needles (1 hr 47) Picturesque set of chalk landforms with a lighthouse, chairlift, boat tours & other amenities. |