3 days in Bournemouth

Three days, three distinct moods. Day 1 pairs Carisbrooke Castle with Chillerton Down, a National Trust site just 2.6 miles away. Day 2 is the coastal centrepiece. Start at Durdle Door, then have lunch at The Old Rooms Inn, which holds a 5/5 food hygiene rating, before finishing at Lulworth Cove, 8.9 miles on. Day 3 slows the pace with Trafalgar House and Longford Castle, only 2 miles apart.

Arriving by train? Bournemouth is the nearest station. Saltwater Breeze (sleeps 4) is 1 mile from it and 0.2 miles from Bournemouth Pier beach, whose bathing water is rated Excellent by the Environment Agency. Larger groups could look at Arnewood Corner in Brockenhurst, which sleeps 12 and sits 0.8 miles from Sway station. Campers should note that the bathing water nearest Tom's Field Camping, the River Avon at Fordingbridge, is rated Poor.