Must See Sights and Landmarks in Mudeford Area

"As the main beach in town, this sandy stretch of the coast is home to the Bournemouth Pier – complete with zip wire – and Bournemouth’s Oceanarium. The pier offers both indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family – RockReef climbing walls and high ropes for the adventurous, a family entertainment centre and the popular Key West Bar & Grill. Check out the beach for spacious stretches of golden sands, which have even been awarded the Blue Flag for safety and cleanliness, as well as many cafés, bars, restaurants and attractions nearby."

"Named the best beach in the United Kingdom, the Central Beaches are the pride and joy of the town. Stroll 10 minutes through the Lower Gardens and you’ll reach Pier Approach, the gateway to the action. Heaving in the summer time, scramble for a patch of golden sand to plant your towel on and bask in the sun."

"Yet it has some kind of uniqueness that manages to attract visitors from all over the world. Stretching from Hengistbury Head to Poole, this beautiful beach is covered with golden sand making the blue shoreline more prominent from a distance. The best part of this beach is it is a dog-fri...Read more"

"The showpiece for the regeneration of Portsmouth Harbour, the Spinnaker is an observation tower 170 metres, right on the water at Gunwharf Quays. Shaped like a spinnaker sail, the tower is a fitting homage to Portsmouth’s naval heritage and was conceived by the local firm HGP Architects. There are three observation decks, the most famous of which is the skywalk at 100 metres where you can look through transparent glass tiles beneath your feet."

"The Spinnaker Tower gives you great views of Portsmouth harbour and the South Coast. The Spinnaker Tower is based in Gunwharf Quays which is an outside shopping center that has some great cafes, restaurants, and shopping outlets. Going up the tower normally takes about an hour and is great when paired with shopping at Gunwharf or boat spotting along the seafront."

"The Spinnaker Tower is a landmark observation tower, overlooking the Portsmouth harbour, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, City centre and all of Portsmouth and its neighbouring towns and suburbs. It reaches up to 170 metres. Its shape and design was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection, and construction began in 2001."

"At the southern extreme of the forest, jutting out into the Channel on a spit of land, stands Hurst Castle. The fortress was built by Henry VIII as an artillery position guarding the entrance to the Solent -- a role it continued to perform right up to the Second World War. Its fascinating history should captivate the kids, but the unique location -- on a shingle spit overlooking the Isle of Wight -- will feel like part of an adventure in its own right."

"The lagoon coast here is full of delicious samphire in Aug/Sept. Park at the Keyhaven end and you can go crabbing off the little bridge at the base of the Hurst Castle Spit. Fancy a walk to the Castle?"

"One of the best things to do in Southampton is to take a self-guided walking tour around the 12th-century defensive city walls. Stretching over a mile, they are the third-longest unbroken stretch of medieval city walls in the UK and include 29 towers and 8 gates. Starting at Bargate you’ll pass the Town Quay, Back of the Walls, Wind Whistle Tower, St Michael’s Church, and Mayflower Park with information boards along the way."

"With the town walls being just over a mile in length, we’d recommend starting at Bargate and working your way along it to get the full experience. Explore medieval wine vaults and churches, enjoy snippets of the waterfront, and watch the ships come and go as you imagine what life could have been like back then."

"Moored in the port next to the King George V Graving Dock, SS Shieldhall is Europe’s largest functioning steamship. She was launched in 1955 as a “Clyde Sludge Boat”, transporting treated sewage down Scotland’s River Clyde from Shieldhall in Scotland and dumping it out at sea. During the summer the SS Shieldhall would double as a cruise boat and in 1976 was brought down to Southampton to remove sludge and carry it out into the Channel."

"Right on the waterfront at Berth 110 in Ocean Village, the SS Shieldhall is part of the UK’s National Historic Fleet. Shieldhall a historic steamship underway on The Solent southern England UK. (Peter Titmuss / Shutterstock.com)"

"Southampton Central Parks are an integral part of Southampton’s heritage with Grade II listed status. They are examples of early municipal parks, which were established between 1854 and 1866. The Central Parks are made up of five parks and total a huge 21 hectares."

"Southampton Central Parks are an integral part of Southampton’s heritage with Grade II listed status. They are examples of early municipal parks, which were established between 1854 and 1866. The Central Parks are made up of five parks and total a huge 21 hectares."

"You'll find 5-a-side playing fields and wild birds and plants. Buy grain in local shops to feed the ducks and wildfowl."