All of our local tourist spots are really busy in the summer months so when you want to cool down on a hot day you need to think of other places to go.  RSPB Arne is an area of natural beauty which covers 565 hectares of heathland and woodland so you can choose to have a short visit or stay all day if you wish.  The reserve on the edge of Poole Harbour is a haven for wildlife and remains one of the few places in the UK where all six of the UK's native reptiles can be found.

There is a visitor centre and toilets close to the car park and I’d recommend using the toilets before you start your journey through the woods.  We chose to take the red route which we were told would take approximately 25 minutes however it was hot, I had a pushchair and my daughter had to keep looking for fairy doors (imaginary ones) and climb trees so for us it took about 40 minutes.

The views are simply stunning and by the time we got to the water we were hot hot hot and desperate to get in and have a paddle.  There seemed to be quite a lot of seaweed but we walked far to the right which was much clearer and whilst we didn’t go far enough in for a swim we was quite content in the warm shallow water and my daughter had endless fun fishing seaweed out with her spade and making a collection with some nice shells.

After our picnic it started getting too hot for us on the beach and whilst there was a couple of shady spots under the trees we thought it would be nicer to have a slow walk back through the woods where it was cool.

Now, here lies our one little problem.  We followed the red route down with no problems at all but on the way back I must have missed a turning and we ended up going a completely different route.  My mistake took us out of the lovely shade and onto a hot path which ended up taking well over an hour which luckily my daughter slept mostly through.  My poor mum was bursting for a wee and I’ll admit after a while I wished I’d picked up a map or invested in a compass haha.

We didn't see much wildlife on the day which was probably had something to do with my noisy children but pre kids I would visit with my husband late afternoon and we would see herds of deer.  It's such a beautiful and tranquil place to be and great for stretching those legs.

For more information including location, trails and car park open hours please visit RSPB Arne.

*UPDATED AUG 2022* 

We had origionally visited during the pandemic in summer 2020 so some of the facilities were closed and entry prices were different.  As of 2023, entry is £5 per adult and £2.50 per child.  The first child and those under 5 are free.  Entry for RSPB members remain free.  The above entry fees apply during facility open hours and once they close the parking charge is £5 per vehicle.  RSPB members park for free.  

Everyone knows I love Afternoon Tea and the Beatrix Potter inspired afternoon tea at the New Park Manor Hotel in the New Forest is definitely a treat, not just for grown ups but also for the kiddies too.

The hotel is set within the most stunning grounds and we arrived early so the children could have some fun in the outside play area while we sat and watched the deer grazing on the heathland nearby.

Although we could have dined on the terrace in the sunshine something told me it wouldn’t last long and so we chose to eat in the lounge instead. We were offered a variety of teas and coffee which then arrived promptly with our cutlery and napkins. When the adults tea stand arrived at the table I had to bat the kids away and tell them to just sit and wait patiently for theirs which luckily came shortly.

I won’t lie, I would have actually quite happily devoured the kids afternoon tea and I can confidently say that they loved every bite. They had little sandwiches, a hummus and crudities flowerpot, carrot and orange juice, scone with jam, Peter Rabbit gingerbread which came with a little piping bag for decorating, chocolate brownie with cute carrots on top, rhubarb and custard macaron and Jemima Puddle Ducks mini eggs in a miniature wheelbarrow.  Everything was beautifully served on a lovely wooden tray with fake grass.

Ours was a struggle to eat but boy did we give it a good try! My husband is not normally one for afternoon tea but said that this was by far his favourite with the delicious finger sandwiches and the individual lamb pie which I agree was exceptional. With the savoury bites now all gone it was time to slowly make our way through the fresh scones with jam and clotted cream (we only managed one each), Benjamin Bunny’s carrot cake with a mascarpone and orange frosting, Mr McGregor’s stolen vegetables with a dark chocolate mousse and chocolate crumb soil inside and Mrs Tiggywinkles rhubarb and custard crunch which was served in a little glass pot. By the time we finished we were good for a nap but the sun was now out again and the children couldn’t wait to get back out in the garden to play with the others who were dining and staying at the hotel.

If you are staying at the hotel then you’ll be familiar with The Den which is full of toys and activities for the children and the team were more than happy for our children to have a look around. Under normal circumstances the indoor room would have been utilised more but because of Covid-19 they had moved many of the toys and activities outdoors and the children enjoyed archery on the lawn and even had a go at mocktail making. I have made a note that my daughters one would be delightful with a good shot of vodka in haha.

We loved our afternoon at the New Park Manor Hotel and can’t recommend it enough. It is worth noting that the chef uses Beatrix Potter’s 168 year old gingerbread recipe for the bunny and they have kindly shared the recipe below for anyone who would like to make it at home.

The Beatrix Potter inspired Afternoon Tea runs up until the 20th of September 2020 and I have no doubt it will be a popular one so I’d definitely recommend booking in advance.  For more details, please visit the New Park Manor Hotel. 

Dorsetmums was invited to the New Park Manor Hotel for the purpose of a review however all words are my own.