Activities in Dorset
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A
Bournemouth Surf School
Bournemouth Surf School operates from the beach just east of Bournemouth Pier and runs surf lessons and half-day bodyboarding sessions.
reviewed
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Artificial Surf Reef
Bournemouth has been busy building itself an artificial surf reef - the first one in Europe. It involves 60m-long sausage-shaped bags being lowered into the sea just east of Boscombe Pier, then being pumped full of 1000 tonnes of sand. The aim is to produce heavy-breaking, barrelling 3m waves - a challenging ride.
The accompanying around £8 million redevelopment at Boscombe Spa Village is set to add a new wave of surf shops and restaurants to the mix.
reviewed
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B
Dorset Belle Cruises
Between April and September Dorset Belle Cruises operates a range of trips from Bournemouth Pier. The pick is a 2½-hour cruise (two to three daily) to the sheer white chalk cliffs at Old Harry - the start of the Jurassic Coast. It also runs ferries to Swanage (one to three daily), Poole (one to two daily) and Brownsea Island (two to four daily).
reviewed
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C
Bournemouth Eye
Tucked into the Pleasure Gardens is the Bournemouth Eye. Some say a trip in this hot air-balloon cures vertigo. As ascents to 150m last only about 15 minutes, at least you'll find out fast if they're right. The views from the top encompass 25 miles and are amazing.
reviewed
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D
Brownsea Island Ferries
Brownsea Island Ferries runs boats to Sandbanks from Poole Quay and cruises along the coast; look out for the Old Harry Rocks trip. These limestone stacks have been separated from each other by sea erosion and signal the start of the Jurassic Coast.
reviewed
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E
Timewalk
The red-brick Brewer's Quay has a shopping centre as well as Timewalk, a sensory journey through the sights, sound and smells of Weymouth's history from the Black Death and the Spanish Armada to a Georgian ballroom.
reviewed
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F
Fossil Walks
Fossil fever is catching - even for those with no previous palaeontologic tendencies. Regular fossil walks are run by Dinosaurland Fossil Museum and the Town Museum in the summer.
reviewed
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G
Deep Sea Adventure
Deep Sea Adventure uses models and computer games to detail the history of diving. To stop it getting too serious there's a kids' play area and laser shootout zone.
reviewed
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H
White Motor Boats
This wind-blown 40-minute jaunt crosses Portland Harbour's vast Olympic sailing waters, before dropping you off at Portland Castle. Boats leave from Cove Row on Weymouth Harbour (three to four daily).
reviewed
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I
Kayaks
Around Bournemouth Pier you can be part of centuries of tradition and hire beach chalets, deck chairs, windbreaks and parasols, as well as sit-on-board kayaks .
reviewed
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FC Watersports Academy
FC Watersports Academy hires kayaks and sailing dinghies. It also runs windsurfing tuition, kitesurfing classes and a two-day starter sailing course.
reviewed
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J
Dr Colin Dawes Fossil Walks
Pitch up for a fossil walk led by Dr Colin Dawes, meet at the Old Forge Fossil Shop in Broad Street. They last about 2½ hours.
reviewed
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Absolute Aqua
You can cling to a jet ski with Absolute Aqua from around £140 a day.
reviewed
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K
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L
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Watersports Academy
reviewed
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Sorted Surf School
reviewed
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Pool Harbour Watersports
reviewed
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Lyme Regis Museum
reviewed
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FC Watersports
reviewed
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M
East Cliff Lift Railway
reviewed
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Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
reviewed
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Brandon Lennon
reviewed
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Bournemouth Beach Huts
reviewed
