Jane's Midlife Journey

There are several parks in the Bournemouth area where you can take a free yoga class on Sunday mornings during the warmer months. Park Yoga is a charity which provides free community yoga at venues across the UK. Sessions are advertised as being suitable for all regardless of age, background or ability.

Dates

Park Yoga takes place on Sunday mornings throughout the summer. The dates for 2025 are from 4th May until 14th September.

Price

Sessions are free, but participants are encouraged to make a donation if they are able. Money donated goes towards running the classes and helps in making wellbeing accessible to all.

Locations

There are four Park Yoga locations across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Plus a fifth similar session, which is not affiliated to Park Yoga:

1. Bournemouth (Central Gardens)
2. Bournemouth (Slades Park)
3. Christchurch (Barrack Road Recreation Ground)
4. Poole (Poole Park)
5. Bend it Like Boscombe (Shelley Park)

1. Bournemouth

Location

Bournemouth classes take place right in the centre of Bournemouth in the Central Gardens next to the War Memorial.

Time

9.30 am – 10.30 am

Getting There

Most buses to Bournemouth stop in Bournemouth Square, a 5 minute walk away though the Gardens.

Parking

There is some roadside parking on Bourne Avenue alongside the Gardens and in Braidley Road. Charges are in operation after 10 am, when it costs £2.60 for one hour. Part way up Braidley Road, parking becomes free, but spaces can be difficult to find.

Facilities

There are toilets at the top of the Lower Gardens.

Brunch

There are lots of options for brunch nearby. Try Picnic Park Deli or Bigwigs Bakery.

2. Bournemouth – Slades Park

Location

Bournemouth – Slades Park takes place next to the Pavilion in Slades Park.

Time

9.30 am – 10.30 am

Getting There

The park is 3 miles north of central Bournemouth. Bus number 5a stops at Howeth Road, an 8 minute walk away or take the number 6/17 to Bournemouth University, which is a 7 minute walk.

Parking

The park has a large, free car park.

Facilities

There are toilets in the pavilion, open from 10 am.

Brunch

There is a cafe in the Pavilion which serves sausage and bacon rolls on Sunday mornings.

3. Christchurch

Location

Christchurch classes have a new venue for 2025. This year, they will take place at Barrack Road Recreation Ground.

Time

9.30 am – 10.30 am

Getting There

Christchurch is 6 miles east of Bournemouth, along the A35. Buses number 1a/1b/1c stop at the Town Centre, a 5 minute walk away.

Parking

The nearest car park is Bank Close, which is just across Sopers Lane. Parking costs £1.40 for two hours.

Facilities

There are public toilets opposite Waitrose, or inside Waitrose (from 10 am). You can also park at Waitrose, which offers 90 minutes free parking for shoppers.

Brunch

There are numerous cafes to choose from in Christchurch. I like Kelly’s Kitchen.

4. Poole

Location

Poole classes take place in Poole Park, next to the jungle play area.

Time

9.30 am – 10.30 am

Getting There

Poole Park is 5 miles west of Bournemouth along the A338/A35. Buses m1 and m2 stop at Longfleet Road Garage, a 5 minute walk away. Although this is technically the closest stop, if you have time, I would recommend alighting at Park Gates for a more scenic, if slightly longer, walk through the park.

Parking

There are several free car parks as well as free roadside parking within the park. Some of these are time restricted.

Facilities

There are several public toilets within the park, including a block close to the Park Yoga location.

Brunch

There are two cafes within the park; The Ark and The Kitchen.

5. Bend it Like Boscombe

‘Bend it Like Boscombe‘ yoga sessions are a separate entity run by The Parks Foundation; a charity devoted to enhancing Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s parks and green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Location

Classes take place in Shelley Park, Boscombe adjacent to the tennis courts.

Time

10 am – 11 am

Getting There

The 70 Breezer Bus stops at Shelley Park. Buses number 1a/1b/1c/m2 stop at Portman Road, an 8 minute walk away.

Parking

There is a free car park next to the park, plus further free roadside parking in the surrounding streets.

Facilities

There are no facilities in Shelley Park.

Brunch

Try Boscombe Cliff Bowling Club.

Details

I have tried yoga once before, but not successfully; my daughter and I attended a rather cliquey class, where the instructor stood at the front calling out the moves and when we didn’t know what to do, those around sniggered and gave us disparaging glances, so we did a runner. Unfortunately, we forgot we had left our shoes in the gym and had to run back in, claim our shoes and do a second runner.

So, despite our rather negative first attempt at yoga, and being the least bendy person in the world, I decided to give it another try. On a rather chilly Sunday morning, I set off for Shelley Park, which is in the grounds of the Shelley Manor. The Manor was built by Percy Florence Shelley, son of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. The grounds are now a public park.

For a cold, windy day, attendance was much higher than I’d expected. This time, the instructor was much more explainey (not a word, I know) and demonstrated the moves with explanations. I really enjoyed the session, both the exercises and working out in the open air. Just what I needed to break me in gently to the bendy world of yoga.

I did, in fact enjoy it so much, that I have returned several times on sunnier Sundays for some lovely, relaxing yoga in the park. What better way to start a Sunday? Especially a hot summer’s Sunday.

• Updated: May 2025

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my other ideas for ‘101 Things to do in Bournemouth’ here.