The Perfect School Holiday Day in Southbourne: Beach, Park and Ice Cream

Southbourne School Holidays | Family Days Out | Dorset Lifestyle

Southbourne is an excellent choice when we want to entertain the children without organising an expensive or complicated day out.

Its independent high street, wooded park, clifftop playground and family-friendly beach all sit within walking distance. We can arrive in the morning, leave the car behind and allow the day to unfold at a comfortable pace.

Here is how we would spend the perfect school holiday day in Southbourne.

Start on Southbourne Grove, where independent cafés, bakeries and food shops make it easy to find breakfast or collect supplies for a beach picnic.

Wild & Ginger is a good place for coffee and freshly baked pastries, with food made in-house. It currently opens from Tuesday to Sunday, so choose another of the Grove’s cafés if visiting on a Monday.

Families who want something more substantial will find several places serving cooked breakfasts, while grabbing pastries and fruit to take away keeps the morning flexible.

Before leaving the high street, pick up drinks and any forgotten beach essentials. Sunscreen, hats and water are much less expensive here than they will feel once everyone is halfway down the cliff.

From Southbourne Grove, head into Fisherman’s Walk, the green corridor linking the high street with the coast.

The walk takes around ten minutes, but children can easily stretch it into half an hour. Mature trees, seasonal flowers and woodland planting provide plenty to investigate along the way.

Look for different leaf shapes, listen for birds and see who can find the oldest-looking tree. Bringing a simple nature checklist turns the journey into an activity without costing anything.

The park also contains a bandstand, fountain and seating. During summer, it sometimes hosts community events and entertainment, so check local listings before visiting.

Fisherman’s Walk is particularly useful on a warm day because its trees provide welcome shade before we reach the more exposed clifftop.

At the top of the cliff, stop to take in one of Southbourne’s best views. On a clear day, we can see across Poole Bay towards the Purbeck coast in one direction and Hengistbury Head and the Isle of Wight in the other.

There is a children’s play area near the clifftop, giving younger visitors an opportunity to use some energy before lunch.

For a little friendly competition, Café Riva operates an 18-hole miniature golf course beside the coast. At the time of writing, it costs £3 for children and £3.50 for adults, making it a comparatively affordable school-holiday activity.

The café is family-friendly and serves breakfast, lunch, pastries and hot drinks. It is also dog-friendly, with treats including canine ice cream, should another member of the family be joining the day out.

Mini golf can become busy during sunny holiday afternoons, so playing before lunch is usually the more relaxed option.

The journey down to the beach can become part of the adventure.

Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Lift was built in 1935 and travels between the clifftop and promenade. Because it operates on rails, the lift is technically classed as a small railway, making this one of the shortest and most unusual train journeys children are likely to take.

The lift is particularly helpful for families carrying beach equipment or travelling with young children. Payment is currently by card or contactless only.

Operation can be seasonal and affected by maintenance or weather, so check the official listing before setting out. If the lift is not running, the nearby zigzag provides a free alternative without using steps, although it makes the walk longer.

Once on the promenade, choose between a picnic on the beach or lunch overlooking the water.

SOBO Beach sits directly on Southbourne Promenade and opens throughout the week, serving food and drinks from breakfast into the evening. Its lower-deck seating is generally available without booking, although it can become busy on sunny days.

A picnic is the less expensive option and gives children more freedom. Find a suitable spot, keep food covered from opportunistic seagulls and take all rubbish away afterwards.

Public toilets and refreshment outlets are available around Fisherman’s Walk Beach, making it a practical base for families with younger children.

Fisherman’s Walk Beach is popular with families because it has a wide stretch of sand, useful facilities and a slightly calmer atmosphere than the area around Bournemouth Pier.

Bring buckets and spades for sandcastle building, collect shells or create a beach treasure hunt. Older children may prefer a ball game or a walk along the promenade.

Swimming conditions can change, even when the water appears calm. Use a lifeguarded section where available, stay between the red-and-yellow flags and check local safety information before entering the sea.

Seasonal dog restrictions apply to parts of the beach between May and September. Designated dog-friendly sections remain available nearby, but check the current beach signs before letting dogs onto the sand.

No school-holiday beach day is complete without ice cream.

During the summer season, Café Riva runs a clifftop kiosk offering Mr Whippy, New Forest lollies and other ice creams. There are also seasonal kiosks and refreshments available closer to the promenade.

If the cliff lift is operating, ride back to the top. Otherwise, take the zigzag slowly and treat the promise of ice cream as encouragement for the uphill walk.

Find a bench overlooking the sea and allow everyone to choose a flavour. It is a simple ending, but often the part children remember most.

Families who are not ready to go home can extend the day by walking east along the promenade towards Southbourne Beach and Hengistbury Head.

Alternatively, return to Southbourne Grove for an early dinner. The high street offers plenty of family-friendly choices, allowing the adults to enjoy the evening without needing to cook after a day beside the sea.