Things to do in Bournemouth and Poole
If there’s one thing that the area around Bournemouth and Poole is known for, it’s the seven-mile stretch of pristine, golden sand beaches with some of the warmest water for swimming in the UK.
There are tonnes of exciting attractions in Poole and Bournemouth that are fun for the whole family, including one of the UK’s premier holiday destinations, our Rockley Park Holiday Park.
We’ve made a list of some of our favourite things to do in Bournemouth and Poole that will help you plan your next holiday.
1. Carey’s Secret Garden
Address: Wareham BH20 7PG
Carey's Secret Garden was previously overgrown, rundown, and walled up, never to be enjoyed again, until it was recently rediscovered and the initiative to revive it began.
Over the past two years, a lot of hard work has gone into beautifying these gardens. You can enjoy three different gardens, a fruit cage, a vegetable garden, and a meadow filled with local wildflowers.
Young and old will enjoy strolling through this charming, whimsical setting or sipping on a beverage from The Secret Salt Pig.
2. Day trips to Guernsey
Catch a Condor Ferry from Poole Harbour and spend the day in Guernsey. The best part about this activity is that it’s fun for the whole family. Even your furry friends can enjoy the ferry ride for free if they are in a car. If you are on foot, well-behaved doggies are still welcome aboard, but they will have to pay, just like everyone else!
Once in Guernsey, there are limitless ways to spend your day no matter what grabs your interest. Enjoy everything this unique locale offers with limitless picturesque walking trails, warm sandy beaches, tax-free shopping, and plenty of fine dining.
3. Oceanarium: The Bournemouth Aquarium
Address: Pier Approach, West Beach Bournemouth, Bournemouth BH2 5AA
Get up close and personal with hundreds of different sea creatures at Oceanarium, The Bournemouth Aquarium. With attractions to appeal to kids of any age, this is an ideal spot to bring your partner, kids, grandparents, or even just to spend a quiet afternoon by yourself.
The little ones will enjoy the Adventure Quiz Trail, Kids’ Play Zone, and the Penguins of the World attractions, while adults can get their adrenaline pumping by feeding the sharks.
4. Mighty Adventures Crazy Golf
Address:
It goes without saying that beach holidays and mini golf go hand in hand. At Mighty Adventures Crazy Golf, you can attempt to score a hole in one while you navigate a Jurassic landscape populated by lifelike, moving dinos, crashing waterfalls, and active volcanoes.
There are many other mighty adventures to be had than just golf. You can try your hand mining for precious gemstones, train like a professional footballer in the Technical Football Centre, play a full 18 rounds of golf, or brush up on your driving skills in a heated, multi-level driving range that’s open night and day.
5. Poole City Cruises
Address:
Take in the stunning natural beauty of England’s Jurassic Coastline and Poole Harbour by boat with a Poole City Cruise!
You will take in beautiful panoramic views of the sea, sky, chalk formations, and many other sights as your captain provides live commentary throughout your trip. Experience it all from the open deck or the comfortable indoor saloon while enjoying a beverage from the fully licensed onboard bar.
6. Castlepoint Shopping Park
Address: East Mall Castle Lane W, Bournemouth BH8 9UZ
Featuring over 30 retailers from around the world, Castlepoint Shopping Park is the largest shopping park in the UK, with plenty of dining amenities to choose from. Whether you want to recharge with a coffee or enjoy a relaxing lunch at a gastro-pub, you’ll find something for all tastes.
7. Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Address: Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2ET
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is a wonderful dog-friendly destination that will have something for anyone you travel with.
Kids will enjoy swinging on the monkey bars at the Go Ape course. Anglers will love casting a line on Moors Lake. Bird watchers will marvel at the hawk walk experience. And the canine, well, they'll enjoy the endless smells, sticks, and muddy paths to explore.
8. RockReef
Address: Bournemouth Pier, Bournemouth BH2 5AA
One of the most popular things to do in Bournemouth and Poole, RockReef is an indoor activity centre on Bournemouth Pier that is open year-round. It features 28 themes, clip and climb walls, and a variety of adventure sports activities, including an aerial obstacle course, vertical slide drop, the Pier Cave experience, and a pier-to-shore dual zip line.
9. Brownsea Island
Address: Poole Harbour, Poole BH13 7EE
Accessible via ferry from Poole Harbour between March and October, Brownsea Island is a nature reserve managed by the National Trust. It's renowned for its red squirrel population, diverse wildlife, and scenic walking trails.
There’s a harbourside café and an outdoor centre where you can book kayak or paddleboard experiences. The visitor centre and engine room provide information on the rare red squirrel population and the unusual lagoon habitat, often visited by migrating birds.
History tours of the majestic Brownsea Castle, built in 1545, can be arranged by appointment only, and include a traditional Dorset cream tea. Ferries begin at 10am and take around 20 minutes each way.
10. Russell Cotes House and Gallery
Address: Russell Cotes Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth BH1 3AA
This quirky 1901 property is a fairytale mansion perched on the clifftop overlooking the sea at Bournemouth Beach, not far from the pier. Built as an elaborate birthday present by Merton Russel-Cotes, the house contains a museum and art gallery and is set in an ornate tropical garden, which includes a Japanese section with goldfish ponds and a Victorian stone grotto.
The museum features landscape art, including several Landseers, and pre-Raphaelite works including Dante Gabriel Rosetti’s Venus Verticordia. Curated tours and half-term activities for kids are provided and there’s an ornate cafeteria onsite.
Start planning your Great British break
Important information
New holiday homes from £34,995 – UPDATED 28 February 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As of 28 February, price is available at Kent Coast, Blue Dolphin, Caister-on-Sea, Cardigan View, Greenacres, Hafan-y-More, Lakeland, Seton Sands, Berwick, Cardigan View, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hopton, Littlesea, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Thornwick Bay and Weymouth Bay,
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments for 7 years
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion.
An example of how ‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Seton Sands with a monthly site fee of £667.08 (includes purchasing discount of £17.08) and monthly letting income of £673.17. The monthly difference equates to £23.17, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Owner’s 'Appy Meal Deal for £7.99
All day, every day* - collection only
Only available to Owners staying on park
Any pie, fishcake or large sausage, small chips, any side and a soft drink
Upgrade to regular cod or haddock^ for £3
Owners can use their discount on top of this offer
Only available in Cook’s venues and not from our Cook’s vans. Offer includes any pie: Minced Beef and Onion, Chicken and Mushroom, Steak or Cheese and Onion, fish cake or large sausage (choose from plain or battered) and a portion of small chips, any side and a soft drink. Sides include curry sauce, gravy, beans or mushy peas. Drinks include any soft drinks can or bottled water (excludes Coca Cola). ^Some of our Cook’s do not serve haddock - in this case, an upgrade to cod will be the only option of fish to purchase. Dishes cannot be changed or swapped for alternatives. Non-inclusive of upgrades or add-ons. Discount is applied if all dishes and drinks are purchased together, and this must be in the same transaction. Available daily, subject to venue opening hours. *Some of our Cook’s do not open for lunch trading. Offer is only available when ordering via QR code, app or website and for collection only. Offer is only available to Owners who are staying on park. Owners can use their owner discount on top of this offer. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time, without notice. Offer is valid March 2025 - November 2025. Prices include VAT. This offer can be used in conjunction with all other offers. Offer not available in any on-park franchises. Haven Holidays is a trading name of Bourne Leisure Limited. Registered office: 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4YL. Registered in England and Wales, no 0401166
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995 – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price is available at Kent Coast, Blue Dolphin, Caister-on-Sea, Cardigan View, Greenacres, Hafan y Mor, Lakeland, Seton Sands, Berwick, Cala Gran, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hopton, Littlesea, Presthaven, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Thornwick Bay and Weymouth Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.