2016 was the year I promised myself we would go on the Bournemouth balloon, however, it wasn’t meant to be as it disappeared back in June, never to return.
Thankfully, over the Christmas period, we got to take in panoramic views of Bournemouth from a big wheel standing more than 100 feet tall at Pier Approach.
Isaac and I first rode the wheel after his 100 years of Cubs parade which saw us marching through Bournemouth Gardens covered in glowsticks, before making the cub symbol out of glowsticks in the sand.
Once we had finished we headed back to the Pier to ride the wheel, which was really quiet. I had expected fantastic views over Bournemouth, however, our town is not as well-lit as I thought and we were left a little disappointed that we couldn’t see much and resolved to come back and ride it in the daytime.
Yesterday was a beautiful clear day and after being cooped up a home over the festive period I managed to get the kids out of the house for some fresh air, with a walk along the beach, which was surprisingly warm for the time of year.
The wheel was much busier than our last visit, however we only waited around 10 minutes to board it as they had efficiently set up two queues which were moving quickly. Sebby was nervous at first and Isaac held his hand until he was more confident.
You get three full rotations of the wheel and this time we had longer onboard as all the gondolas were full, therefore we got to enjoy the views over Bournemouth Gardens and Pier as they were unloaded and re-loaded.
My only frustration is that the Gondolas are surrounded by perspex for safety and being by the sea they are covered in salt so taking photo’s is tricky, but I managed to get a couple through the gaps.
Sebby didn’t want to get off, but I managed to persuade him with a promise of going to see the birds in the Aviary in the Gardens.
Isaac and Eliza wanted to do the ice rink, but as I was on my own with them I decided we will wait for a time when I have another pair of hands, so we headed back to the pier where there was a spiral Christmas tree-lined walkway leading to a letter box to the North Pole to explore.
It was a lovely day out with the kids and although the big wheel doesn’t raise you to the dizzy heights of the balloon, at least I can say that I have seen Bournemouth from above now.
The Bournemouth Wheel costs £5 per adult, £4 per child and £16 for a family and is open from 10am-10pm until 7th January 2017. Don’t forget to take ID with you as BH residents get 50p off too.
Looks like it was a lovely day, clear too, its been freezing in London. I woild love to ride the wheel to enjoy the views.
Your so brave I’m such a wimp when it comes to heights been on a wheel once and swore never again, looks like a lovely day kids looked like they had great fun, I hope use all had a lovely Christmas xx
That sounds like the perfect day. We too have a big wheel in the City over the Christmas and new year period but I’ve yet to ride it.
I’ve never been to Bournemouth but I have heard how lovely it is and your pictures make it look amazing.
I definitely miss living in a seaside area – I lived in Torquay for a year and a part of me wishes I could move us all back down there but I just can’t handle the cold in Winter!!
Emmie xo
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The tree lined walkway looks very pretty and Christmassy. Love the glow sticks in the sand what a great idea. I’m not too keen on the big wheel as I’m scared of heights 😉
Oh my gosh,
It looks so beautiful there, looks like a magical place to visit.
You’ve taken some beautiful images<3
I love the picture of Isaac and Sebby holding hands, it’s adorable. It sounds like a lovely day out and a great way to blow the cobwebs away
I’m guessing no one was scared of heights. I always get jittery as they’re loading and unloading people and you’re stuck stock-still up high. Excellent job on the photos though, you’d never tell that you had to take them through tiny gaps!
There were a few with the bars in LOL
Awww I love that photo of the two boys holding hands, like they are protecting each other. So cute! I love a Big Wheel :O) Thanks for linking up to #ThePlacesWeWillGoLinky :O)
We went on the wheel on Monday, it was good fun and we were amazed ther was hardly any queue! We won tickets a couple of years ago to go on the balloon, it was good fun though I did feel a little bit queasy! #placeswewillgo
Looks like a lovely day and some great photos! Too bad the Bournemouth Balloon is no longer running, I can imagine that would have been amazing! Even I would never in a million years feel comfortable at such dizzying heights lol! #countrykids
What a great experience for Isaac, Eliza and Sebby, I bet it was great watching them spot all their favourite places below you. It’s so cute that Isaac held Sebby’s hand until he wasn’t afraid any more, such a cute moment! The kids look like they’re having loads of fun exploring the spiral walkway and Sebby’s face in the aviary is just adorable.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
Some lovely photos – I think Seb was very brave. I couldn’t manage something as high up as that, but it would be amazing to see the town from a totally different perspective! #countrykids
I’ve never been to Bournemouth but it looks really lovely from your photos. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
This place looks amazing. Would love to visit too. I think Bournemouth is one of my in-laws favourite place to visit and from your photos, I can see why 😉 #countrykids
Looks like a wonderful place to explore. The views from the wheel in daytime were beautiful. The glowstick symbol made me wonder if they cracked the sticks as they placed them or placed them to make the symbol and then went back and cracked them. Happy New Year! #countrykids
That’s such a shame about the balloon – I loved that. This does look fab, not sure I’d get Monkey on it though. We didn’t make it down to Bournemouth at all last year, need to get back this year, do love it #CountryKids
I’m so shocked that the balloon has gone – I never got to go on it and now really wish I had. I guess I’ll have to do the wheel then haha! The views do look beautiful, I love Bournemouth #CountryKids
Look at how much fun they are having, so cute x
Wow, you had such a beautiful clear day for it, it seems like such a beautiful place! We went to Bournemouth the other summer and it monsooned for the entire week, so I have never really got to appreciate any of the views! #countrykids
I had no idea the balloon was never coming back, such a shame as it is something I always remember x
What a good idea to go at night and during the day. We have a big wheel close to us in Torquay but it’s only here in the summer months. We went right at the end of the season last year and loved it. I think we got more rotations because it was quiet #countrykids
What’ a beautiful day you had to go on the wheel! I’ve made a mental note that night time would be a bad time to go up high things if i want to see the views! Great blog post!! #countrykids
Looks like it was a lovely day going up in the wheel. I’ve never taken N up in one, but I’d love to take him. There was certainly plenty to do with the children #countrykids
I had no idea the balloon had gone! How fun was the glo sticks on the beach! #countrykids
that glow sticks idea was clever, lovely views from the wheel too
Loved the glow sticks, it looked so pretty. What a great time out in Bournemouth, my son would have loved going on the wheel #CountryKids