Fisherman’s Walk is a stretch of beach much enjoyed by locals. It is predominantly sandy with some shingle and provides safe bathing.

Where is it? Between Southbourne and Boscombe beaches, reached from the Southbourne Overcliff Drive.

Best features: High standards of cleanliness and water quality have won the beach a Blue Flag Award. The recently replenished beach is now huge.

Local facilities and shops: The beach is near café facilities and has deckchair hire and beach huts, plus a cliff lift. The huts are available to hire by the day, or pre-book for a week, call 0845 055 0968. It’s within walking distance of Southbourne Grove shopping centre.

Great for the kids? Bathing is made safer by the zoning of watercraft away from swimmers. Families are targeted by the provision of intensively lifeguarded areas and the LV= KidZone scheme also runs with our dedicated KidZone staff help to find lost children quickly.

Where is it? Between Southbourne and Boscombe beaches, reached from the Southbourne Overcliff Drive.

How far are the loos? The prom offers gents, ladies and a disabled loo and baby change facilities.

Parking: Look for a spot on the road, or walk from car parks at Parkwood Road, St Catherine’s Road or Southbourne Coast Road.

Public transport: It is served by a range of Yellow Buses including open-topped coastalservice 12 (Christchurch, Hengistbury Head, the piers, the Chines, Sandbanks), 22, 23, 31 and 68.

How about pets? Dogs are banned on the beach from May-September, during which time dogs are allowed on leads on the prom. Dog exercise areas are provided nearby.

Wet weather options:

Bournemouth Town Centre Library, The Triangle Children’s, teen and local heritage zones and more than 50 free public access computers. 01202 454858.

Stapehill Abbey, Wimborne Off the A31 Wimborne Road West. Gardens, 19th-century buildings with nuns’ chapel and cloister garden, crafts and plant sales. 01202 861686.