With winter just around the corner, many of us may naturally feel more inclined to stay indoors. However, Regatta, an outdoor clothing brand, recognises that children need to continue to embrace their time at the park and outdoors and continue to interact and build relationships with their friends.
They invited a few children from across the UK to imagine what their dream green space would look like and some of these were incredibly unique: www.regatta.com/blog/kids-ultimate-green-space/
Getting outside whatever the time of year, is great for both our physical and mental health and it is important that we wear the right clothes for the season. Regatta have an outdoor clothing range for all ages and all seasons and have invited us to share some of our favourite family outdoor locations we like to visit in our home county of Dorset
Winspit Quarry
Winspit is an old disused quarry on the coastal cliffs near Worth Matravers, which provided building materials for many of the major buildings in London and later became a World War Two naval and air base.
It has also been used as a filming location over the years, including for classic Doctor Who and Blake 7 TV series. It was also featured as a scene location for the ‘Orkney Dig’ in the 2012 Disney film John Carter and more recently, for added “cool” factor, it has been a filming location for a new Star Wars TV show.
Winspit Quarry is a 20 minute walk from the carpark in Worth Matravers and has plenty for kids to explore, including derelict buildings and the old quarry caves. It is worth noting that the cliffs are exposed, so I would not recommend visiting with young children.
Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour and is owned by the National Trust with the northern half managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
The real treat of this day out, is that you take the Brownsea Island Ferry on a 20 minute trip from Poole Quay to the island.
Once on the island, there is plenty to keep you there all day, as Brownsea Island is an internationally important nature reserve featuring rare wildlife, including red squirrels and wading birds.
In the centre of the island there is a natural play area, plus lots of family friendly walking trails, with Dorset Wildlife Trust volunteers organising activities such as pond dipping, or bird spotting from the hides.
There are also plenty of picnic areas, public toilets, a pram friendly path and facilities to keep everyone comfortable.
The Beach
There is plenty of fun to be had at the beach, whatever the season.
In the summer months, you can enjoy swimming and playing games in the sea, but in the cooler months, you can still build sandcastles, run away from stormy waves, leap off sand banks caused by winter storms and find treasure washed up by the waves.
The other benefit of getting outside, is that the kids are better behaved. Sometimes it is a challenge to get them out the door, but it is always worth it in the end.
Where are your favourite outdoor locations to visit with the kids?