Southbourne beach, Dorset

Southbourne beach.

Rather wind swept today but normally a lovely spot for playing on the beach, eating ice cream and  enjoying tea and cakes. Well in spite of the windy weather we still managed the last one but went into town to the brewhouse pub as the bistro on the beach closes at 4pm.

Cow Down, Ox Drove to Vernditch Chase and Long Barrow

Cow Down, Ox Drove to Vernditch Chase and Long Barrow. This is the Cobley, Bokerley ditch side of Martin Down Nature reserve. We enjoyed a lovely walk exploring this very pretty area and a picnic in the woods today.

Pottern Wood, Verwood.

Pottern walk in Verwood is always a lovely spot for a walk.

Charmouth beach, Dorset.

Charmouth beach, Dorset. Plenty of park next to the beach (charged), picnic benches and a little beach cafe under the cliffs. Cliff and beach walks. Fossils and guided walks available from the heritage centre too. 

Pottern Wood, Verwood.

Pottern wood makes a lovely circular walk. Plenty of great places to play hide and seek with children or walk the dog.

Coach Road, Ashley Forest, off Ringwood Road.

This is a lovely circular route that we often make from the Coach Road car park between Verwood and Ringwood. It's partly on the main track and then goes around the fitness trail and onto the red route before returning on Pine avenue and a small path that winds through the forest.

Hengistbury head.

Hengistbury head always makes a lovely spot for a winter's walk. Great for all the family. Parking is only £1.50 in the winter months and the Hikers cafe and Noddy train are both open for business during the winter. The visitors centre is a good place to go too.

You can walk along the beach, up over the headland or along waters edge of the harbour. Lots of lovely birds there and good sand down at the sandspit where the beach huts are. Here you can return on the Noddy train, something the little ones love to do.