Helen's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Great place to watch the sunset, grab fish and chips from Nick the fish in Penn Hill and head here for a sundowner.
12 locals recommend
Evening Hill
1 Shore RdGreat place to watch the sunset, grab fish and chips from Nick the fish in Penn Hill and head here for a sundowner.
Great place for a walk in winter or summer, leave the car this side and take the chain ferry across, there is a great place to eat called the shell bay cafe which is also dog friendly in the restaurant.
69 locals recommend
Studland
Great place for a walk in winter or summer, leave the car this side and take the chain ferry across, there is a great place to eat called the shell bay cafe which is also dog friendly in the restaurant.
A walk up to Old Harry worth an hour or so of your time. There is also a nice pub when you get back for lunch or real ale - The Bankes Arms in Studland
152 locals recommend
Old Harry Rocks
A walk up to Old Harry worth an hour or so of your time. There is also a nice pub when you get back for lunch or real ale - The Bankes Arms in Studland
Our local beach, good for a walk in winter or a sunbathe or paddleboard in summer. Parts of it are doggie friendly all year round.
121 locals recommend
Sandbanks Beach
Banks RoadOur local beach, good for a walk in winter or a sunbathe or paddleboard in summer. Parts of it are doggie friendly all year round.
If it’s flat calm, try a paddle board, it’s such a wonderful way to experience the harbour on a calm day and easy to master too.There are a few places to hire them around the harbour and other floating craft too.
30 locals recommend
The Watersports Academy
15 Banks RdIf it’s flat calm, try a paddle board, it’s such a wonderful way to experience the harbour on a calm day and easy to master too.There are a few places to hire them around the harbour and other floating craft too.
Corfe Castle
A trip on the chain ferry over to Studland is a bit out of the ordinary. I love to walk on the inside of the harbour here which is a bit of a secret beach. So shhh don’t tell anyone.
Bramble Bush Bay
A trip on the chain ferry over to Studland is a bit out of the ordinary. I love to walk on the inside of the harbour here which is a bit of a secret beach. So shhh don’t tell anyone.
Poole quay and the old town in Poole at the end of the high street has lots of restaurants and pubs. Also boat trips around the islands which are good and leave from here. Fireworks in the summer are a treat and it’s really nice to see them from the water if you can.
110 locals recommend
Poole Quay
The QuayPoole quay and the old town in Poole at the end of the high street has lots of restaurants and pubs. Also boat trips around the islands which are good and leave from here. Fireworks in the summer are a treat and it’s really nice to see them from the water if you can.
Food scene
Lovely place to eat, particularly at sunset. Leave the car this side and cross as a foot passenger on the ferry. Doggie friendly. A lovely evening treat. They do bar snacks outside without a reservation as well as the more formal restaurant.
Shell Bay Cafe
Ferry RoadLovely place to eat, particularly at sunset. Leave the car this side and cross as a foot passenger on the ferry. Doggie friendly. A lovely evening treat. They do bar snacks outside without a reservation as well as the more formal restaurant.
Lovely cafe with good coffee and a decent menu in a nice place, great for lunch, brunch and breakfast.
46 locals recommend
South Deep
Turks LaneLovely cafe with good coffee and a decent menu in a nice place, great for lunch, brunch and breakfast.
Great bakery and coffee within walking distance of the house in Ashley Cross
31 locals recommend
Patisserie Mark Bennett
Penn Hill AvenueGreat bakery and coffee within walking distance of the house in Ashley Cross
Only for real treats! Great food and views, great service. You will have to book way in advance for a table here. Also if you like that kind of thing have a walk around the walled kitchen garden. Spendy in the restaurant- Watch the wine bill! In summer they do flatbreads in the garden without bookings, phone ahead to check as they won’t do walk ins otherwise.
165 locals recommend
The Pig on the Beach
Manor RoadOnly for real treats! Great food and views, great service. You will have to book way in advance for a table here. Also if you like that kind of thing have a walk around the walled kitchen garden. Spendy in the restaurant- Watch the wine bill! In summer they do flatbreads in the garden without bookings, phone ahead to check as they won’t do walk ins otherwise.
Cheaper than the pig! Friday evenings in summer is paella night , weather permitting and you have to book in advance 07931325243.
9 locals recommend
Joe's Cafe South Beach
Cheaper than the pig! Friday evenings in summer is paella night , weather permitting and you have to book in advance 07931325243.
Nice pub on the cliffs at Studland and good pub grub, always busy in summer and often at the weekends. Good place for lunch after a walk to Old Harry.
36 locals recommend
Bankes Arms Inn Studland
Manor RoadNice pub on the cliffs at Studland and good pub grub, always busy in summer and often at the weekends. Good place for lunch after a walk to Old Harry.
If you fancy a drive into the Dorset countryside and a lovely lunch this is a great place, very lovely food. Lots of dogs!
16 locals recommend
The Brace of Pheasants
If you fancy a drive into the Dorset countryside and a lovely lunch this is a great place, very lovely food. Lots of dogs!