South Coast beaches

[Kinky]

Well, the Family Kinky are intending on heading down to the South coast for a day or 2.

We were intending on heading to Bournemouth, because of a decent beach, and a decent selection of quality hotels on the seafront (or very close to).

However, it got me thinking .... is there somewhere else along the south coast we should look at and consider?

Criteria are:
Family friendly (Kinky junior is only 4)
Decent sandy beach
things to do - ie aquarium et al
decent hotels/B&Bs in walking distance
Maybe something relating to dinosaurs would help (for kinky junior - honest).

I plead total ignorance of the south coast.

Suggestions gratefully received!

Many thanks in advance,

K

[koenig999]

That's Bournemouth that is,

Nice clean beaches. Local attractions.

Lots of B&Bs and hotels,

But it does get a bit busy.

Koenig

[foster3jd]

seem to recall that just along the coast somewhere in Dorset that there's a beach with lots of prehistoric fossils at the bottom of a cliff face too

details here.... some danger involved, how old's junior?

>> Edited by foster3jd on Monday 8th August 22:47

[hustlebabe]

World Heritage Site, a Jurassic Park full of fossils on the beach

Plus visit Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove - remarkable

Websites galore on it. Try BBC one for brilliant piccies

[sixteenf]

Kinky
Within easy reach of Bournemouth
Studland - Fantastic beach. Take the chain ferry from Sandbanks
Dorchester - Dinosaur Museum
Weymouth - Oceanarium
Wool - Monkey world
Bovingdon - Tank Museum
Beaulieu - Motor Museum
Bit further away to Lyme Regis for fossils
Come on down the water's lovely!
Ray

[Wacky Racer]

If you are based in Bournemouth, have a drive over to Sanbanks, take the chain ferry across to Shell bay and have a few hours in Swanage....

Also, if time permits a day in Weymouth is worthwhile or even a day trip over to the Isle of Wight on the ferry from Lymington, although really Bournemouth itself has lots to offer for kids......

[foster3jd]

Dinosaur Museum
Icen Way
Dorchester
Tel: [phone]
Admission charged
A visit to The Dinosaur Museum is fun and exciting and a treat for all the family. Among the most popular exhibits are the awesome life-size dinosaur reconstructions. Tyrannosaurus rex - the fierce meat-eater, Stegosaurus with its strangely shaped ridge of plates, Corythosaurus (affectionately known as 'Dina' by her many fans), and outside Triceratops. They beg to be touched by little hands - and that's encouraged.

See Dinosaurid - the weirdest dinosaur possible - and a star of a recent Blue Peter programme. Watch out for the special exhibition on Tyrannosaurus rex - the king of dinosaurs this summer. 150 years after people's imaginations first became excited by dinosaurs they continue to fascinate and enthrall. This sense of 'dinomania' is very much alive at The Dinosaur Museum


Dinosaurland
Coobe Street
Lyme Regis
Tel: [phone]
Admission charged
Fossil exhibition with displays, video and children's corner. Ask here for Fossil Beach Guided Walks and Undercliff Experience.


All looks pretty interesting stuff... thinking of taking a trip myself!!!


>> Edited by foster3jd on Monday 8th August 22:54

[ZR1cliff]

Best place IMO and where i go to avoid the crowds is the christchurch side of Boscombe pier,there is a cafe,toilets,changing areas sea breaks and some stalls for beach toys plus you should find plenty of parking nearby.

[hustlebabe]

ZR1cliff said:

Best place IMO and where i go to avoid the crowds is the christchurch side of Boscombe pier,there is a cafe,toilets,changing areas sea breaks and some stalls for beach toys plus you should find plenty of parking nearby.

Good idea particularly with children.
Got a beach hut down there. If you want to ever do a return visit try renting a beach hut. Cook change and party etc in them

[Kinky]

Ohhhh ..... Dinosaurland in Lyme Regis looks really cool and interesting.

Some cracking replies - in fact - I think we'll do them all (bar Beaulieu and tank museum - as we do them seperately (and annually)).

Sorry to keep asking - anyone know of any outstanding / different / quality hotels somewhere along the coast between Bournemouth and Exmouth?

K

>> Edited by Kinky on Monday 8th August 23:18

[HarryW]

Bournemouth is great base IMHO.
If you have time when you go to Lyme Regis go on an escorted fossle hunt, I think they run/book them from tourist info/the museum. It will teach you whats worth looking at and whats chaff, you get to keep anything you find too. Well worth it and, if like me, you will be able to find things on most beaches throughout the rest of your days .

Harry

[ZR1cliff]

Kinky said:

Sorry to keep asking - anyone know of any outstanding / different / quality hotels somewhere along the coast between Bournemouth and Exmouth?

Here is a link to a cracking 5* hotel called the 'Haven' at Sandbanks,situated by the chain link ferry on the tip of Sandbanks the hotel is a real class act at a reasonable price with fantastic facilities and sea views,a great place to relax with several bars including a piano bar with delightful decor and first class menu(you can even watch them cook through the glass sided corridor),the hotel is also equiped with a gym and health spa,i found it a pleasure and really relaxing too.
www.sandbankshotel.co.uk/Haven/Default.asp

>> Edited by ZR1cliff on Tuesday 9th August 02:03

[rich 36]

Jurrasic coast, roundabout, Weymouth, westwards to chesill beach (long straigt sandy offshore bit on map)

fossils of all shapes ansd sizes, falling out of cliff.



West bay, near Bridport (river cottage town)

[anonymous-user]

Was at Sandbanks yesterday....very very busy!!!! But a great place. Bournemouth also has great social scene!!!

[munky]

rich 36 said:

Jurrasic coast, roundabout, Weymouth, westwards to chesill beach (long straigt sandy offshore bit on map) fossils of all shapes ansd sizes, falling out of cliff.

I dunno, that dog still looks alive to me

[rich 36]

'Spring-o-saurus' leaves paelintologist looking for lead

[aspender]

Beach-wise I would head to Sandbanks any day of the week rather than the Bournemouth beaches.

In that area as well you also have the fantastic Monkey World which your kids will love you for.

[Kinky]

Cheers Aidy - must confess that MonkeyWorld is now on the list thanks to 16F.

K

[CarlT]

You could take a look at the Harbour Heights for a nice hotel - its near Sandbanks !

[Kinky]

We've actually ended up here: Hensleigh Hotel

K