Heronshaw Meadow

If you’re keen to get active on your holidays, bring along your clubs for a round at Parley Golf Centre or set off for skiing, snowboarding and skibobs at Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre (both five minutes’ drive away). There are walks galore too, at places like Stour Valley Nature Reserve (10 minutes) and Moors Valley Country Park (15 minutes), which also has bike hire and a Go Ape treetop trail. You can fish at the country park too if you like, or at River Stour Throop Fishery (10 minutes). Dorset’s coastline may well be calling too, whether you fancy a day on the sands at Bournemouth beach (15 minutes), a stroll through Hengistbury Head nature reserve (15 minutes) or a day of watersports from Mudeford Quay (20 minutes). There’s also a lot to explore at Highcliffe Castle (20 minutes), which has woodland walks and manicured gardens as well as the castle itself to visit – and there’s a beach a short walk away too. Meanwhile, if the weather dampens any outdoor plans, Splashdown waterpark (25 minutes) is a good option for family days out.