‘Mumbler Must’ – Parks and Play Areas

This blog is currently being updated to help you find hidden gems that you might not have known about yet. 

At Mumbler we know it’s hard to keep the kids busy and entertained without spending a fortune. This is why we’ve put together a list of the best parks and play areas around Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, so you have plenty of great free options to choose from. These have been selected not only by us but also by our lovely community of parents on Facebook. You can join us here.

Please let us know if you’d like us to add anything to this list. We are always happy to review new exciting places.

Poole Park

Poole Park is an absolute ‘Mumbler Must’ for anyone visiting or living in Poole. Some of the park’s great advantages are:

• 2 large play areas suitable for a wide range of ages
• Large green area for sports
• Great walking / scooting path
• It connects with Whitecliff park, making it a great 5k walk / run. The walk is mostly off road
• Pay and display, as well as free street parking available at various locations in and near the park
• Soft play and cafe
• Pub / restaurant
• Mini golf, water sports
• Hungry ducks and swans to feed
• Regular events and activities

Whitecliff Park

This park offers stunning views, a great walking path and large play area for all ages. You can walk or cycle safely along the water all the way to Poole Quay. For a full review visit the Poole Mumbler News Page in Facebook.

Hamworthy Park

This is a fantastic attraction or the entire family. The park has a large play area suitable for younger and older children, a paddling pool operating during the summer (make sure your little ones wear some sort of footwear as the floor can get very hot) and direct access to the beach by foot, though not pushchair/wheelchair friendly. Easy parking, public toilets and snacks cafe also available.

Treasure Island Play Park Canford Cliffs

This is a great option if you’d like to also take a walk to the beach.

‘The older kids love the roundabout, which can be wound up one way, then let go and stand well back as they show off their strength (or come flying off). It isn’t fenced in, so some people take their dogs to exercise there too. The pirate ship is wooden with some rope fencing to climb on. There are also trees to climb in the surrounding wooded areas which lead to the chine and down to the beach’. RP Mumbler Chat Group on FB.

Avon Heath Country Park

‘A bit further afield is Avon Heath Country Park which has a great play area recently refurbished, and best bit is you can see the play area from the cafe.’ BC Mumbler Chat Group on FB.

Kings Park

‘Kings Park is also fab for the fenced in play park, which has TWO zipwires, and a brilliant wooden climbing area specifically for older children, while there is plenty for the younger ones too. There’s a great skate park at Kings Park too and loads of areas for dog walking, ball games etc’. RP Mumbler Chat Groupon FB.

Alexandra Park

‘Alexandra park is great for scooters and bikes also has football area. The park has great climbing frame for all ages and the other equipment is varied and fun too’. LH Mumbler Chat Group on FB.

Sandbanks Play Area

‘The play area at Sandbanks beach pretty good too. Giant nets to climb, tyre swing and more. Need to pay to park’. KE Mumbler Chat Group on FB.

Play Area at Rockley Beach

‘The little park down at Rockley Beach is fab. Parking is free, cafe right next to park though not open all year and can wander over to the beach for a play and a paddle’. AH Mumbler Chat Group on FB.

Alum Chine Play Park in Bournemouth

The Alum Chine playground overlooks the beach and one of the parks in Poole and Bournemouth which has a famous connection. It is inspired by the classic novel ‘Treasure Island’, whose author, Robert Louis Stevenson, resided at the head of Alum Chine from 1885 to 1887. A beached, desert island shipwreck; a spy glass hill lookout with a functional telescope; a wooded trail that leads to an actual treasure box – see if you can find it; and Captain Flint’s skeleton showing the way to his buried riches are all play components inspired by the novel. Water play pumps, as well as typical playground equipment like a wide double-width slide and basket swings, are among the other features.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest at Ashley Heat

Moors Valley is defiantly the most popular country park in our area and its no wonder because there is something for everyone, whether you want to be adventures and swing through the tree tops at Go Ape, ride on the narrow-gauge steam train, go exploring near the rivers, meadows and woodland or let the children loose on the two huge playgrounds before heading to the extensive play trail to check out all the carved sculptures before enjoying a picnic in the park near the lake when they are all played out! There is also a cafe and a visitors center.

Hengistbury Head Park in Bournemouth

Hengistbury Head is remarkable not just because of its diverse habitats, which include heathland, grassland, scrub, forest, freshwater wetlands, and coastland, but also because of its internationally significant archaeology and geology. It’s also one of the parks in Poole and Bournemouth where the whole family can enjoy themselves. Take the land train to Mudeford Sandspit for a calm and easy ride, then relax with a cup of tea and a piece of cake, or something more hearty in one of the cafés and take in the view. After a short climb you are rewarded by magnificent views from the summit of Warren Hill across Poole Bay. The Visitor Centre’s team can also help make the most of your day.

The Quomps Park in Christchurch

The Quomps Park is a children’s play park with a well-equipped play area, enclosed splash park, shallow paddling pool, and water play fountains and is located in the beautiful Christchurch Quay. There is an ice cream kiosk if you’re in need of a nice treat or to cool down, and usefully sells swimming nappies too. There are also public toilets, and numerous benches and spots to lay a picnic blanket for lunchtime and even a novelty golf course if you’re up for a little round.

Boscombe Chine Gardens in Bournemouth

Boscombe Chine Gardens has huge grassy areas for picnics, mini golf and a Squirrel Cafe. Children can also enjoy a ball court and a water play area.

Mudeford Beach Playground

Mudeford Beach playground is fenced in and has a cool hanging zip wire and a pirate ship for climbing as well as a rope bridge, roundabout, sandpit and rockers it is a small playground but a perfect little spot to stop and let the children burn some more energy after a walk down the beach.