About Dorset

Poole Harbour

Editor — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:35:20 +0000

Poole Harbour is the estuary of several rivers, the largest of these being the River Frome. The harbour area is extremely shallow with an average depth of just 48cm, with one main dredged channel through the harbour providing access to the various passenger, cargo and pleasure boats and ships.

Poole Harbour is often referred to as the worlds largest natural harbour, although this claim is often disputed by Cork Harbour in Ireland and Halifax Habor in Canada.

The harbour is also home to several small islands, the largest of which being Brownsea Castle which is managed by the National Trust. The other islands include Furzey Island, Green Island, Long Island, Round Island, Giggis Island, Drove Island and Pergin’s Island (although this is technically in the area known as oles Bay, whichis techinically seperate from Poole Harbour.

Fleet Lagoon

Editor — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:18:58 +0000

The Fleet lagoon was originally created when Chesil Beach seperated from the shoreline, the fleet measures approximately 8.2 miles in length and covers an area of around 480 hectares, the width of the lagoon various dramtically from around 900 meters at Littlesea to as little as 65 meters at The Narrows. The depth of the lagoon various too, at its deepest it measures around 4.5 meters, although most of the fleet is around 2 meters deep.

The Fleet is connected to the sea via a narrow channel positioned at Ferrybridge providing access to Portland Harbour, seawater can also enter the lagoon through Chesil Beach’s stony embankments with the correct tidal conditions. Fresh water also enters the lagoon from a variety of small streams from the surrounding countryside.

The fleet offers a natural habitat to a wide variety of sea and bird life and forms part of the Fleet Nature Reserve.

Chesil Beach

Editor — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:11:15 +0000

Chesil Beach is a natural phenonomen measuring some 18 miles in length with an average width of 160 metres and rised to around 12 metres in height making the beach the largest tombolo in the UK.

The beach is infact shingle and pebble tombolo connecting Portland to Abbotsbury and then continuing along the coast to West Bay.

The beach forms part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Behind the beach is the Fleet Lagoon (Fleet Nature Reserve).

Weymouth Bay - Haven Holidays

Editor — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:56:40 +0000

Weymouth Bay is one of three Haven Holiday parks in Weymouth, alongside the Littlesea Holiday park and Seaview Holiday Park. Weymouth Bay is situated close to Weymouth’s bustling town centre with a range of restaurants, family activities and of course famous sandy beach. The park overlooks the beautiful Bowleaze Cove and has tranquil seaside views.

The parks offers a variety of self catering accommodation from its selection of static caravans available in 2 - 3 bedroom formats offering 4 - 8 berths depending on the specification you choose, and there are 5 to choose from ranging from ’standar’ upto the luxerious and spacious ‘Plantinum’.

Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
Preston
Weymouth
Dorset
DT3 6BQ

Tel:0871 231 0878

For more information visit the Haven Holidays website.

Seaview - Haven Holidays

Editor — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:49:21 +0000

The Seaview Holiday Park is run by Haven Holidays and is one of a number of Haven holiday parks in Dorset. The park is the ideal destination for a family holiday and has a huge range of family facilities and activities. Situated on the edge of Weymouth the park is just a short bus or taxi journey into the busy town centre.

The park offers a range of self catering accommodation with a selection of static caravans of 2 and 3 bedrooms with 4 different specifications ranging from ’standard’ to ‘prestige’.

Seaview Holiday Park
Preston,
Weymouth,
Dorset,
DT3 6BZ

Tel: 01305 832271

For more information visit the Haven Holidays website.

Littlesea - Haven Holidays

Editor — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:41:17 +0000

Littlesea Holiday Park in Weymouth is one of Haven’s 5 star holiday parks and is situated close to the bustling town centre of the seaside resort of Weymouth and overlooking the famous Chesil Beach and the Fleet Nature Reserve.

Accomodation on the park consists of a range of self catering caravans offering between 4 - 8 berths and 2 - 3 bedrooms with a choice of 5 finishes ranging from the standard upto the super luxerious Plantinum caravans.

Littlesea Holiday Park
Lynch Lane
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 9DT

Tel: 01305 774414

For more information visit the Haven Holidays website.

Poole Park

Editor — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:32:06 +0000

Poole Park was originally opened in 1890 and is a fine example of a traditional victorian park. The park covers some 110 acres including 60 acres of water and is built on land originally donated by Lord Wimborne. Situated in close proximity to Poole town centre the park is a popular attraction all year round and boasts a hoast of activities from leisurely walks to water sports, there really is something for everyone at Poole Park.

The park is also a popular location for community events, most recently playing host to the Race for Life event.

Poole Park is an ideal destination for families looking for a low cost day out, ideal for those with children, many an hour can be whiled away feeding the ducks and swans on the lakes with the water lapping the shoreline, or perhaps a visit to the large and modern play park.

Numerous low cost activities are also available around the park including tennis courts, crazy golf, ice skating, minature railway, Gus Gorilla’s Jungle Playground, bowling green, cricket pitch, boat hire (from pedalos to sailing dinghys, restaurant and cafe.

Bournemouth Rugby Sevens

Editor — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:54:05 +0000

The Bournemouth Sevens International Rugby, Netball & Music Festival is the largest festival of its kind in Europe with a staggering 184 teams competing to be crowned Bournemouth Sevens champions. The festival attracts over 20,000 people and is held over the May Bank Holiday from the 22^nd- 24^th May 2009. Held at the superb Bournemouth Sports Ground, next to Bournemouth International Airport, in 65 acres of grounds Bournemouth Sevens is the perfect family weekend for anyone in Dorset or visiting the Bournemouth and Poole area.

England Rugby Internationals and stars such as Simply Come Dancing’s Austin Healey will be meeting fans all weekend long in the exclusive VIP area. The Black Knights military parachute team will be landing in at an impressive 120mph to Bournemouth Sports Ground on both Saturday and Sunday providing a mesmerising evening display.

The festival is a whole weekend of family entertainment filled with lots of activities for the kids- bouncy castles, face painting, army assault courses and fairground rides to name a few!

For more information please visit www.bournemouthsevens.com or call 01202 302855. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and are £20 for the weekend or £60 including camping for three nights. Under 12s go free all weekend.

Rockley Park - Haven Holidays

Editor — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:20:17 +0000

Rockley Park is one of Haven’s premium holiday parks with a five star rating. The beautifully landscaped park overlooks the stunning Poole harbour and offers all the attractions of a rural family holiday whilst on the doorstep of the vibrants towns of Poole and Bournemouth.

Accommodation on the park consists of a range of self-catering caravans with a range of different specifications available in two or three bed formats offering upto 8 berths.

Facilities on the park include:

Pools
Heated indoor swimming pool
Heated outdoor swimming pool with childrens paddling area (This pool is open End May - End August)
SplashZone activities programme
Aquacise (extra charge applicable)
Surfrider (extra charge applicable)
Water Tots (extra charge applicable)
Aquajets (extra charge applicable)
Learn2swim (extra charge applicable)

Activities
Sportszone activities programme
Multi Sports court
Nature Reserve
Funworks amusements centre (extra charge applicable)
Bowlingo (extra charge applicable)
Pool Tables (extra charge applicable)
Bike Hire (extra charge applicable)
All weather bowling green (extra charge applicable)
Boat Storage, Mooring and launching (extra charge applicable)
Mini Golf (extra charge applicable)
Outdoor Family FunZone (extra charge applicable)
Luxury Spa Complex (extra charge applicable)
Kids alive programme (extra charge applicable)
Coke FC football coaching (extra charge applicable)
Family tennis (extra charge applicable)
Discover Archery (extra charge applicable)
Discover Fencing (extra charge applicable)
Mini Fencing (extra charge applicable)
Tennis Courts (extra charge applicable)
Multi Sports Court (extra charge applicable)
Rockley Watersports (extra charge applicable) - Call 01202 677272 to book
Sub Aqua Sports (extra charge applicable)

Toddlers to Teens entertainment
PAWs for 1-4’s
FunTime for 5-11’s
Family FunTime Shows
Character Breakfasts
FunZone Play Area
Soft Play Area
T-Co fpr 12 - 16+

Shopping
Convenience store with bakery and off-licence
Gift Shop
Hire Shop (extra charge applicable)
Laundrette (extra charge applicable)

Food, Drink and Entertainment
Cafe Bar and Grill with satellite TV
SportsZone Cafe
Traditional Fish and Chips
Summertime Barbecues
ShowBar - Non-stop family entertainment.

Additional Features
Wi-fi available throughout the park (extra charge applicable)
Family park rangers

Rockley Park Holiday Park
Hamworthy
Poole
Dorset
BH15 4LZ

Tel: 01202 679393

For more information visit the Haven Holidays website.

Haven Holidays in Dorset

Editor — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:59:10 +0000

Haven Holidays are one of the UK’s leading holiday park operators in the UK with 35 parks across the UK and 4 in Dorset, with three situated around the seaside resort of Weymouth and one in the town of Poole.

All Haven holiday parks offer a wide range of facilities tailored specifically for family holidays with loads to keep people of all ages entertained throughout the day and evening. Each park offers everything you and your family need from swimming pools, sports facilities, childrens club plus a choice of places to eat including licensed bars and restaurants.

Haven are part of the Bourne Leisure Group and have been offering family holidays for over 40 years, and strive to offer a fantastic holiday experience for the whole family.

Over recent years Haven have invested heavily in an ongoing refurbishment and improvement of all their parks, aswell as investing heavily in staff training, making Haven Holidays one of the premier destinations for UK holidays.

Haven’s four Dorset parks are as follows;

Rockley Park, Poole - Rockley Park is a 5 star Holiday Park situated overlooking the historic Poole harbour, offering a range of activities offering family fun including tennis, bowls, crazy golf aswell as an outdoor pool.
Weymouth Bay, Weymouth - Weymouth Bay Holiday Park is a really family friendly park with large expanses of grassy areas, a superb outdoor pool and an excellent adventure playground.
Littlesea, Weymouth - Littlesea Holiday Park is a 5-Star award winning caravan park near Weymouth offering spectacular the views of Chesil Bank and the Fleet Nature Reserve.
Seaview, Weymouth -Seaview Caravan Park is set on a hillside location offering beautiful views of the Dorset coastline surrounding Weymouth.