I HAVE to admit I hadn’t considered Bournemouth as a destination for a weekend getaway until the chance came up to spend a weekend in the town.
My family and I drove down from the Midlands on a Friday evening in September and thoroughly enjoyed a packed weekend on the Dorset coast, writes Phil Wilkinson-Jones.
We were warmly welcomed on arrival at the Suncliff Hotel, whose staff couldn’t have been more accommodating throughout our entire stay.
MILITARY: There were loads of model displays as well as hundreds of tanks at The Tank Museum (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones)
Our room was spotless and we were able to enjoy a relaxing swim in the hotel’s indoor pool before tucking into breakfast.
Dinner on the Friday night was at the Ventana Grand Cafe, at the Cumberland Hotel next door.
The food was excellent – I can recommend the fillet steak – and staff went out of their way to make our children feel at home.
On the Saturday morning we had an early start and tickets for The Tank Museum in Bovington, which describes itself as the world’s finest collection of tanks.
WAVES: Enjoying a boat trip around Poole Harbour (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones)
There is plenty to see and do whether you’re a military enthusiast or just looking for a family day out.
There were lots of interactive displays that kept my kids entertained and knowledgeable guides happy to talk you through the history of the tanks on display.
The weekend we visited also saw traders, exhibitors and hobbyists come together for a wargaming-themed Model Show, adding an extra dimension to the day.
From the museum we headed to Poole Quay, where we soaked up the atmosphere at the Seafood and Sounds Festival – a free event that saw live music taking place around the Old Town and Quay, fresh seafood for sale and free crafts for young visitors.
CREATIVE: A street artist at work during Poole Quay’s Seafood and Sounds festival (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones)
We also took a fascinating boat trip around Poole Harbour with Coastal Cruises.
We took the Poole Harbour and Island Cruise, which lasted just over an hour.
Our skipper pointed out dozens of places of interest including Sandbanks’ millionaire’s row and the home of football manager Harry Redknapp, the abandoned village of Maryland – now a wildlife sanctuary, and Brownsea Castle.
DELICIOUS: Afternoon Tea at The Castle Pantry at Highcliffe Castle in Christchurch (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones)
Saturday finished with a meal at the Marsham Court Hotel – there are plenty of pub classics and family favourites on the menu – and a walk along the seafront.
Sunday morning saw us head to RockReef, an indoor climbing centre on Bournemouth Pier.
The family-friendly activity centre has 28 climbing walls, a pier-to-shore zip and plenty of instructors on hand to help you in and out of the safety gear you need.
We even took on the vertical slide, which I’ve never seen anything like before, the highline aerial course and the kids explored the pier cave tunnels.
The afternoon was more relaxed as we headed to Christchurch to explore Highcliffe Castle, a renovated manor house once home to Harry Selfridge, of department store fame, who is buried in a nearby churchyard.
The story of Highcliffe Castle being built, expanded, then ruined by fire and falling into disrepair before being restored by Christchurch Council is a remarkable one and the building is well worth a visit.
HISTORY: Highcliffe Castle has a fascinating history (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones)
So is the Castle Pantry, where we enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea including our choice of scones and cakes – the perfect way to round off a jam-packed weekend.
Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch proved to us there is plenty to do even outside of the summer holidays.
Nothing we did was much more than half-an-hour’s drive from the hotel, and everyone was so welcoming throughout our stay. We’ll definitely be back.
