Last night we had the pleasure of attending a Launch Party to celebrate the opening of the new bigger and better Bournemouth Ice Rink and Alpine Chalet.

Many years ago I worked in a ski resort and when we stepped in to the rustic Alpine 'Apres Skate' Bar I honestly felt like I was back there (without feeling cold and wet) and the staff were all ready and waiting to greet us with big smiles on their face.

They’ve done a grand job with the bar and seating area with twinkly Christmas trees, sheepskin rugs on the benches and blankets.  There’s even a special VIP area for parties which has a mock fireplace and warm festive feel.  It really is a wonderful place to sit and relax with friends or family with a mulled wine or hot chocolate.

After we had a good nosey around we were invited to watch a fire and ice show and then we swopped our shoes for skates and headed off to have a go ourselves.  

Now, I knew it had been over 25 years since I’d been skating but I thought I would take to the ice with no problem and start instantly skating like I use to.  I was wrong.  At the first opportunity I grabbed one of the kids penguin aids and when I realised I looked like a complete idiot I just opted for clinging onto the barriers for dear life instead.  It seems the older I get the more cautious I get!  My lovely husband did his best at shooting off and got a bit cocky trying to do a spin and landed hard and fast on his bottom which of course I found hilarious!  It took me forever to do one lap and that was enough for me, I hung up my skates and just noted for future reference that Daddy can do the skating while I sit with the baby.  I’m pleased on this occasion that we had decided to leave the children at home but I know my 4 year old son would utterly love zooming around on one of the seal aids.

After my skating disater we were treated to another performance from an amazing female figure skater then returned indoors for another drink and nibble before heading home.

Good to know……..

The Ice Rink in the Lower Gardens is officially open from today (16th November) up until the 3rd of January 2017 so you have plenty of time to enjoy the Ice Rink before it closes.

The Ice Rink is open daily from 10.30am to 10pm.

Adult prices are £10 at peak time and £9 at off peak with session times lasting an hour. 

Ticket price includes skate hire.  You may of course bring your own skates however there will be no difference in the price.

They have a special toddler time on a Monday to Thursday morning from the 16th of November to the 8th of December.  The price is £11 for the adult and child (under 4) and includes the use of a penguin or seal for an hour.  

If you are skating at another time of day then you can hire the penguin and seal aids for £3.

The Alpine Chalet serves plenty of hot and cold drinks plus freshly baked pizza’s (which we tried and thoroughly recommend!)

To book a session or if you have any further questions you can either visit the box office in the gardens or call 07375 401744.

Thanks for having us last night Bournemouth, we rarely get out and it was a real treat for us to enjoy some grown up time in beautiful surroundings.  I have no doubt you will have a lovely few busy weeks ahead.

Love

Dorsetmum
Xxx

Big Thanks to the lovely family who allowed me to take their picture while they were all skating.  I really hope you had a great night. x

During the October half term we made a spontaneous decision to visit the new Oasis Indoor Fun Centre in Bournemouth and had a fantastic couple of hours exploring this new family friendly venue.

I knew I was taking a risk by going in the busy half term period but by mid afternoon it did quieten down and I felt I could relax a little more without children running past me screaming with excitement and joy.

The Indoor Fun Centre is situated in Glen Fern road and there’s a public car park right outside plus a multi-storey close by.  You absolutely won’t miss where you’re going as the signage is huge and you just need to head for the main door and go downstairs via the lift or staircase.  The first thing you’ll see is the Jungle themed adventure golf course.  We had a good nosey and although we didn’t play a game I’m sure everyone will enjoy all the sounds, animals, plants and obstacles which lead you around the course.

If you’re planning on going into the soft play then you’ll need to head to the main reception first and pay before taking your ticket over to the play area.  Prices are quite reasonable and adults go free which is nice.  The beach theme is brilliant with a Hawaiian style café/bar area, beach hut designs on the wall and bright colourful tables and chairs.

They have a safety gate to get in and out which I love and tables and chairs which run the length of the play area so you can watch the children wherever you are.  My son wasted no time in running off and once I was settled I took his little sister to the baby area with soft shapes, ball pit and a little slide.

Before I went in I had noted that there was lots of big kids in there but thought that maybe once I go in with my baby they will leave.  Sadly not and after trying to protect my bubba from flying balls for a few minutes (and yes I did kindly ask them not to) I decided to leave and headed back to the table.  I did ask 2 members of staff while I was there what the recommended age was and were told they were for babies and toddlers but neither of them asked the bigger kids to leave which was a shame.  I did however bring this up the manager when I spoke to him and maybe suggested some sort of sign with the recommended age so at the least the big kids and parents could take note.

I did manage to enjoy a nice cuppa in there and the staff kindly warmed by baby’s bottle for me.  My son was having a great time once he made a friend and I only really spoke to him when he ran over sweating and begging for a drink.  I tried to have a good look around while he was playing and the soft play seemed to have everything a highly energetic child would require with a multi-level play frame, slides and obstacles.  There was one section I was nervous about and that was an area filled with huge inflatable balls which the kids loved jumping around on.  I was hoping my son wouldn’t go in there as it was filled with older children but he jumped in and when I went over I noticed a few mums asking their children to come out as they had overhead that the little one’s were falling between the balls and not being seen.*

We must have been in there for almost 2 hours before deciding it was time to leave and overall we thought the place was fantastic.  Weekends and school holidays will always be busy in places like this but if you have a pre schooler then this will be the perfect place to meet with friends during term time.

Good to know:

• There are toilets with baby change facilities within the soft play area.

• The staff will happily warm a baby bottle for you if asked.

• Food can be ordered from the diner and eaten in the soft play.  Dishes on the menu included pizza’s, burgers, hot dogs, paninis and children’s menu.  

• Entry into the Fun Centre is free if you wish to simply play on arcade games, have a drink or eat in the American Diner.

Thanks Oasis for bringing somewhere shiny and new for the kids to play in, the staff were all lovely and the décor was very colourful and imaginative.   We’ll most certainly be back another time for a game of golf and dinner in the American Diner.

For more information including prices and party packages, please visit Oasis Fun.

*Update: Please note that the large inflatable balls have now been removed.