Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park in Dorchester is a wonderful place to visit and since entry is currently free it makes for a very affordable and fun day out.

We visited recently on a bright and chilly day and since we haven’t been for a few years we couldn’t wait to explore and see what's new.  We went to see the animals first and found cute bunny rabbits, lots of goats, sheep, ponies and my favourite which was 2 adorable donkeys which loved fresh wet grass and selfies.

There are a few funny ducks, geese, chickens and other birds which you can see however a notice informed us that they were being kept in a fully enclosed area due to the risk of avian flu.  I’m sure there were other animals which were hiding in the warmth and we’ll see them when we go back in the summer.

I‘d made some lunch to take with us and grabbed some coffees while the kids played on the outdoor play frame.  Whilst in the café I noted the delicious cakes on offer and promised the kids we’d explore the play barn later in the day.

The gardens are lovely to walk around but be careful on the pathways if it’s frosty as one of the kids swiftly ended up on their bum which they thought was hilarious.  I don’t bounce back up as quickly as I used to so I was much more careful than they were haha.

Kingston Maurward House is a stunning Grade I listed Georgian country house which is set within a 750 acre estate and the formal gardens were created by the Hanburys between 1915 and 1922.

We came to The Red Garden first and this is where we spent the majority of our time.  The kids thought the ice on the pond was the best thing since sliced bread and once we’d found a couple of large sticks they spent ages poking holes in the thin ice and attempting to break the thick ice which they struggled to do.  When we did manage to get them to walk some more we strolled through many gardens, down to the lake and then back up towards the animal park.

By now we were ready for coffee and cake (well I was anyway) and because it was now mid afternoon the café and play barn was much quieter.  Prices in the café are very reasonable and there was homemade soup and roll, pastries, paninis and sandwiches on offer.  I love a good selection of cake and spotted raspberry ripple, coffee and walnut, brownies, Victoria sponge and a lovely looking lemon and blueberry cake which I settled on and thoroughly enjoyed.

The play barn isn’t huge but it’s very clean and well kept and the kids happily spent their time climbing and whizzing down the twisty slide.  I noticed a sign when we left which said it was recommended for children 8 years and under so that’s worth bearing in mind if you're visiting.

Good to know:

• The animal park no longer sell bags of food for the animals and the reasons are very understandable - basically a few goats were getting too porky and also some of the animals are on special diets.
• The gift shop is worth a visit and sells local produce and wonderful gifts.
• The café has plenty of high chairs and there is a baby change table in the toilets.
• Low outdoor taps are by the toilets so children can regularly wash their hands.

There are regular themed trails and family friendly events through the year so please keep an eye on Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Farm and their socials for up to date news.

Free parking and free entry was correct at the time of writing (Jan 2023) however this may change at any point in the future and therefore you should check admission prices before visiting.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favourite fairy tales so I was more than exited for our family trip to the Bournemouth Pavilion this Christmas.

Beauty and the Beast has everything you’d expect from panto with buckets full of comedy, audience participation, stunning costumes and set plus an outstanding cast.

The show begins in a beautiful village in France called Camembert and Fairy Bon Bon (Emma Barton from EastEnders) is a hilarious TikTok fairy who loves to bust a move and get the audience involved.

Belle (Ellie Green) is popular in the village but she’s attracted the unwanted attention of the egotistical Hugh (Travis Ross) and he'll try everything he can to win her over.  Meanwhile, Belle’s father Clement (Brookside and Jonathon Creek star Marcus Knibbs) is poor and decides to sell his prized Rose painting at the market far away so he can provide food for himself and his daughter.  On his way to market he finds himself taking warmth in a castle where he meets funny double act Polly Le Plonk (Jamie Steen) and Louie Le Plonk (Noel Brodie).

The enchanted castle is owned by the grumpy Beast (Mark Scott) who was transformed by an evil sorceress and he decides to imprison Belle’s father for trespassing.  When Belle finds him she asks the Beast for a trade and stays at the castle while her father is set free.  Polly Le Plonk is keen to see his master happy and with the help of Louie Le Plonk they plan ways for them to spend time together and it doesn’t take too long for Belle’s kindness to wear off on the Beast and they both realise they love each other.  

Supporting the main characters are professional actors who become village folk and dancers and this makes for an all round entertaining performance.  Beauty and the Beast will have you crying with laughter and you won't want it to end.  Go see it, you won't regret it! 

Beauty and the Beast will be on until 2 January 2023 with matinees and evening performances every day except 25 December 2022.  For more information and tickets, please visit Bournemouth Pavilion.