Sandbanks Hotel
Poole, Dorset
Step off the terrace straight onto one of Britain's best beaches. Older kids can book windsurfing or paddleboard lessons at the watersports academy, little ones dig in the sandy playground, and the indoor pool saves a grey day. Hop on the chain ferry to Studland or Brownsea Island's red squirrels.
For the children
- Kids' club
- Kids' activities
- Playground
- Pool
- Outdoor play
- Watersports
- Family dining
- Children's menu
- Family rooms
- Best for
- Beach-mad families with kids 5+
- Ages
- All ages
- Kids' club
- Summer-holiday children's programme
- Pool
- 10m indoor heated pool
- Family rooms
- Family rooms with sea or harbour views
- Outdoors
- Beach, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing
We only list facilities we could confirm on their website — something not listed may still be there.
Days out nearby
~9 miles · ~15 mins
Theme park · nearby attraction
An Alice-in-Wonderland themed park with gentle rides, a hedge maze and big indoor play zones, perfect for toddlers and young children. Good backup for rainy days near Bournemouth and the New Forest.
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre ↗
~16 miles · ~30 mins
Wildlife park · nearby attraction
A rescue centre for chimpanzees, orangutans and gibbons, with large wooded enclosures and keeper talks that explain each animal's story. Children are captivated by the chimp troops, and there is a huge adventure playground for afterwards.
~18 miles · ~30 mins
Castle / historic · rainy day option
Rooms full of real tanks, from the First World War to today, plus live arena displays on event days. Older children and teens find it fascinating, and it sits close to Monkey World and the Jurassic Coast.
The Needles Landmark Attraction ↗
~21 miles · ~30 mins
Adventure park · ideal day trip
A chairlift down to Alum Bay's coloured sand cliffs, sweet-making demonstrations and boat trips out to the Needles rocks. Children love filling sand bottles; a classic Isle of Wight day.
Beaulieu – National Motor Museum ↗
~29 miles · ~45 mins
Castle / historic · ideal day trip
Famous film and TV vehicles, a monorail over the grounds, a palace house and abbey and lovely river walks. One ticket fills a day in the New Forest, near several luxury hotels.
~30 miles · ~45 mins
Aquarium · ideal day trip
Sharks, rays and penguins plus outdoor seal and otter areas, set beside the beach. Good for rainy days on a Dorset coast break.
~30 miles · ~30 mins
Wildlife park · ideal day trip
Specialises in British and European wildlife, with otters as the stars plus wolves, bears and owls among the trees. Feeding talks run through the day, and it sits right in the New Forest beside plenty of luxury stays.
Paultons Park – Home of Peppa Pig World ↗
~31 miles · ~45 mins
Theme park · ideal day trip
Peppa Pig World is the draw for little ones, but the wider park has dinosaur land, gardens full of birds and rides that step up gradually as children grow. It sits on the edge of the New Forest, so it pairs well with a countryside weekend.
Reviews from Tumble families
No reviews yet — been here? Be the first to tell other parents.
Been here with your family? Sign in to write a review.
Family facilities
- Kids' menu
- Play area
- ParkingFree parking
A guide, not a guarantee. Shown only where the venue or a trusted source has told us. Not listed doesn't mean not available — check with the venue if it matters for your visit.
Researched by Tumble in October 2026 from each place's own website. Tumble doesn't take these bookings — prices, availability and children's club details change, so check with them before you book. Distances and travel times are approximate.