Things to do in Bournemouth and Poole

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.