The picturesque coastal city of Bournemouth is located in the south of England and boasts beautiful beaches, a rich history and plenty of activities that all help to make it the perfect family day out. From scaling the walls of an indoor climbing centre and spending a thrilling afternoon at a theme park, to spotting sea life in the aquarium and taking a stroll along the seafront, what better place to head to for the Easter holidays. To get your trip off to a great start, swap the hassles that come with driving by booking a train to Bournemouth with South Western Railway, so that you and your family can sit back and relax.
RockReef Activity Centre & PierZip
For an unforgettable Easter half term activity, thrill-seeking kids and adults alike will love RockReef Activity Centre at the end of Bournemouth Pier, with 28 climbing walls of various themes and levels of difficulty. Whether you’re a climbing novice or can race up a rock wall at lightning speed, there’s a Clip ‘n Climb wall to suit everyone. Daredevils can also enjoy taking in views of Bournemouth from PierZip – the world’s first pier-to-shore zipline. Bigger kids (above 1.3 metres) can race each other to the shore on the 250-metre dual zipline, which starts from a platform 25 metres above the sea.
Adventure Wonderland Bournemouth
With something for children of every age, Adventure Wonderland Bournemouth is sure to be a highlight for the Easter holidays. Let loose on rides like the swinging Ghostly Galleon and Wild Bill’s Runaway Train, or find buried treasure in the Dig For Gold attraction. For those looking for something a little more mellow, head to Pony Palace and Shetland World where you’ll find adorable ponies to stroke, cuddle and even have a ride on. Look out for the Aerial Glide zipline, Adventure Wonderland Maze and Airport Viewing Gallery, too, where children can marvel at planes landing and taking off from the nearby airport. One thing’s for sure: kids will be entertained for hours.
Musical Trail at Boscombe Pier
Boscombe Pier was built in 1888 and is a great spot for enjoying scenic views. That might be fun in itself, but kids will particularly love the pier’s Musical Trail, created by Percussion Play. As you wander along the trail, you’ll find an array of instruments that kids can have a go at playing, from Tubular Bells and Xylophones to ‘Seaside Chimes’ and Babel Drums.
Land Train
Hop aboard Bournemouth’s vibrant Land Train to ensure you see all of the city’s most magnificent spots on your family day out. With its blue and yellow exterior, it’s hard to miss. It’s an ideal way to discover some of the best beaches and areas in the city, including Alum Chine, a Blue Flag (top-standard) beach that’s ideal for families with its adventure playground and sandy shorefront. You can also journey to other hotspots such as Branksome Chine, Manor Steps, Durley, Middle Chine and Boscombe Pier, with plenty of other places to hop off at and explore along the way. From April to October, you can get the Land Train seven days a week, but in the winter months it runs a fair-weather service.
Pier Amusements
No trip to the seaside is complete without some arcade games on the pier, so go all out on your family excursion and let the kids indulge in Bournemouth’s Pier Amusements. From classic arcade findings such as claw and pinball machines, to games from popular franchises like Teenage Mutant Turtles and Tomb Raider, kids are in for a treat at this fun-filled attraction. You can also have a game or two of air hockey, before getting behind the wheel for an arcade race. There are loads of prizes to be won, too, so set your kids the challenge of winning themselves a souvenir from their visit.
Bournemouth Gardens Treasure Hunt Trail
If you’re looking for kids’ Easter activities that are adventurous and sure to tire them out, the magical Bournemouth Gardens Treasure Hunt Trail is ideal for your family. Your little ones will love following the guide that will take you on an exhilarating three-hour journey from Coy Pond Road and through the idyllic Coy Pond Gardens. From there, this 1.8-mile treasure trail makes for an excellent way to see some of Bournemouth’s best landmarks, as you’ll wander by the pier, seafront and town centre on your hunt for the mystery prize.
Oceanarium: The Bournemouth Aquarium
Oceanarium
Kids and adults alike are in for a real treat at Oceanarium: The Bournemouth Aquarium, one of the top places for seeing marine life, where you’ll find over 150 different species of fish, including Common Clownfish, Red Bellied Piranhas and even Blacktip Reef Sharks. With sea creatures hailing from all over the world including Asia, Africa, Australia and South America, this must-see attraction is both educational and fascinating for little ones. Keep an eye out for Long-Spined Sea Urchins, Jellyfish and Chinese Water Dragons as you wander through the various zones, and try to catch one of the daily feeds while you’re there too.
With no shortage of things to do and see during your Easter holiday trip to Bournemouth, all you need to do is hop aboard a South Western Railway train to the city. Check out our trains to Bournemouth to plan your journey and discover what ticket types work best for your family. We’ve got plenty of cheap train tickets for families to take advantage of and Railcard options too, so save some money by doing your research before booking.
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