Money saving ideas for holiday in Bournemouth?

poshandspecs

We are off to Bournemouth next week and wonder what is recommended in terms of money saving in the area - cheap places to park, eat out and visit/activities would be great?! Thanks in advance.

caringa

Bournemouth and Sandbanks at Poole as well as being busy on a sunny day can be quite pricey but if you can find Hamworthy which is near Poole, they have a lovely beach, albeit it small and the parking is free. You have to get there fairly early though as it is limited. There is free parking on the road.

There is also a lovely park which runs alongside the prom and fantastic childrens playground with paddling pool which is fenced off from dogs. In addition there is a cafe which is reasonable and sells the usual drinks, snacks, icecreams and a few "beach" things. None of this is commercialised and we always go there in preference to Bournemouth although we live only 8 miles from Bournemouth.

If you have a dog, they are allowed on the beach all year round. Conversely if you dont like dogs, you might not like this beach but generally local owners are very good at keeping their dogs under control and picking up after them! Not far from here is Hamworthy Lake, with more free parking and ideal for children to go fishing. There is a beach here too but no cafe or park.

Another place is Upton House where parking is free, the gardens are lovely and a nice spot for a picnic. Dogs have to be on a lead here. There is a restaurant here too.

As an afterthought, the New Forest is not far from Bournemouth and is also a great place to visit. There is mile after mile of forest where the ponies roam free and lots of lovely picnic areas and walks, all free!

Hope this will give you a few ideas and that you enjoy your hols!

MrTibbs_2

You don't say if you have children.
But if you do, pack a picnic and head out to Moors Valley. You basically only pay for parking and have access to all woodland walks, adventure trails and play parks for free. It does cost extra to go on the little train and the Go-Ape for older kids. But a great, cheap family day out if you get bored with the beach...
http://www.moors-valley.co.uk/

poshandspecs

Some great ideas, thank you both! (We've got a 13 year old daughter)

nicole136

There is also Free parking around Fishermans walk (beach in between boscombe and Southbourne) which is a lovely Quiet beach area. In the week the Jaiden tag indian do 2 mains, onion bahjee, Nan and 2 rice for £10 (takeaway) on seabourne road (southbourne main street) Its the best Indian in Bournemouth! Hengistbury head is a nice cliff top walk near Southbourne. Christchurch cinema is often cheaper and more comfortable and Quieter, The Priory church (in Christchurch) is a donation, it is a magnificant building to explore. if you walk round to the river from the Priory there is a lovely park and a splash park (for younger kids) and swans and ducks. you can get a boat ride down to Tuckton tea gardens (10 mins) for a fraction of the price a full boat trip costs. Here you can play crazy golf, play park and a nice river walk. looking at the boats. Accross the road is a harvester which is always cheap for an earlybird!