The Parks Foundation is a charity which delivers community projects and events in our Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole parks and green spaces.

During term time, half terms and school holidays there are multiple nature based activities for children to enjoy and the best bit is that the events are mostly FREE!  Lots of the parks mentioned below have play areas so you could pack a picnic and make use of the facilities for an affordable day out.

During March and April, children will be able to enjoy nature themed activities, guided walks, build a bug hotel, seed planting, bug hunts, nature tots sessions, community litter picks, and much more.

For a list of locations, dates and times, please see below.

 

SLADES FARM 

Address: Slades Farm, Forsyth Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 4BU

 

REDHILL PARK 

Address: Redhill Park, 70 Redhill Avenue, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 2SP

 

WINTON RECREATION GROUND 

Address: Winton Recreation Ground, Fitzharris Avenue, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 1BX

 

KINSON & WEST HOWE 

Address: The Henry Brown Centre, Cunningham Crescent, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH11 8DU
Address: Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LQ

 

MUSCLIFF PARK

Address: Muscliff Park, Shillingstone Drive, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 3LR

 

KINGFISHER BARN 

Address: Kingfisher Barn, Stour Valley Nature Reserve, Granby Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 3NZ

 

WATERMANS PARK 

Address: Watermans Park, 5 Dorset Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3DB

 

MUDEFORD WOODS

Address: Mudeford Woods Community Centre, Pipers Drive, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4TR

 

TURLIN MOOR RECREATION GROUND 

Address: Turlin Moor Recreation Ground, Blandford Road, Turlin Moor, Poole, Dorset, BH16 5BW

 

ALEXANDRA PARK 

Address: Alexandra Park, 101 Alexandra Road, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9EW

 

To book or to get involved in fundraising, please visit The Parks Foundation.

Please note that events may be cancelled due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances and it is always advisable to check an event is running before travelling.

Need more ideas for things to do with the family?

Attractions & Places of Interest

Soft Plays & Play Cafes

Easter Holidays Events & Activities

Car Boot Sales

Free & Low Cost Places to go with Kids

Sport & Leisure Centre’s

National Lottery Open Week runs from Saturday 7th - Sunday 15th March 2026 and as a thank you to players, they are giving free entry, discounts and offers at some of our greatest historical houses, castles and museums.

Anyone who visits a participating National Lottery supported project and shows a National Lottery Ticket, Instant Win Game, or Scratchcard (physical or digital) during National Lottery Open Week is able to take up the special offer.

To see which venues in Dorset are participating, please see below.

 

BROWNSEA ISLAND

Offer: FREE ENTRY! (Ferry costs still apply)
Date: Saturday 14th March 2026
Address: Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Poole, Dorset

 

KINGSTON LACY

Offer: FREE ENTRY!
Dates: Saturday 7th – Saturday 14th March 2026
Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4EA

 

CORFE CASTLE

Offer: FREE ENTRY!
Dates: Saturday 7th – Saturday 14th March 2026
Address: Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle, Dorset

 

RUSSELL-COTES MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

Offer: FREE ENTRY!
Date: Wednesday 11th March 2026
Address: Russell-Cotes Museum & Art Gallery, West Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3AA

 

HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE

Offer: 40% off Admission
Date: Saturday 7th – Sunday 15th March 2026
Address: Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 4LE

 

If you would like to venture out of Dorset then you’ll be pleased to know that the offer also includes NT Montpesson House, NT Mottisfont, NT Stourhead and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

For more information and to view all UK participating properties, please visit the National Lottery.