Jane's Midlife Journey

Littledown Park is a Green Flag awarded, dog free park situated 3 miles north east of central Bournemouth. The large (47 acre) park has two play areas and a paddling pool, as well as a lake, which is usually teeming with ducks, and a miniature railway. Also within the park is Littledown Leisure Centre.

How to get to Littledown Park

The park is just off the A338, opposite Bournemouth Hospital.

By Bus

Bus No 22 stop at Littledown Centre, just in front of the park. There are plenty of other bus options including m1, 81, 82 and X3 which stop across the road from the park at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Access

The park is flat and has paved paths.

Parking

There is a large car park where you can park for free for 3 hours. If you need longer, you will need to pay.

Opening Times

The park is always open. Some facilities, such as the paddling pool and railway, have their own opening times.

Price

Most activities are free, with the exception of the miniature railway and leisure centre.

Suitable for age

There is something for all ages of children in the park. Younger children will enjoy some of the play equipment, the paddling pool, feeding the ducks and riding the miniature train. As well as swimming, soft play and various classes available in the leisure centre.

Details

Playgrounds

There are two Playgrounds, with a range of equipment suitable for children of all ages, from small slides to climbing frames and a zipwire.

For younger children, the enclosed playground is more suitable. Here, you will find swings and a climbing frame with two slides – the lower of which can be accessed without rope climbing.

Paddling Pool

The Paddling Pool is inside the fenced playground area. It is free to use, but you may have to share it with a duck or two! Orla was fascinated.

The pool usually opens from 10 am until 6 pm between May and September.

Lake

Next to the playground is a lake with a large population of ducks and other aquatic birds. It is also full of koi carp, which are easy to spot from the little bridge. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a heron.

The ducks are very tame and always on the lookout for a snack. In the morning, when they’re hungry, they come into the playground to wait for breakfast. I’ve even encountered them attempting to enter the leisure centre! Orla loves feeding the ducks, who are very happy to oblige.

Miniature Railway

The Miniature Railway has a few different engines, which follow a 500 metre long track around the wooded area towards the rear of the park. Orla needed a little convincing, but ended up loving her ride on the train. Note: The ride may not be suitable for very small children as it involves sitting astride a bench seat.

The railway usually opens on Sundays throughout the year and Wednesdays from April to October. Times are from 11 am until 3 pm. Tickets cost £1 per person or you can purchase a ticket giving 15 rides for £10.

Orienteering

Three orienteering courses are offered within the park with distances of 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 kilometres. All are graded as easy (white/yellow) standard. Maps can be downloaded here or purchased from the Leisure Centre.

Leisure Centre

Littledown Centre offers a range of activities and classes for children, such as dance, junior gym, trampolining and basketball. There is a dedicated children’s swimming pool and a soft play area. Outside are courts used for football, basketball etc.

Swimming

There are two pools; the main pool (25 metres) and the learner pool. In addition to public swimming, lessons are available. They also offer Wet & Wacky water play sessions for under 8s and The Crusher, an aquatic obstacle course, for over 8s. Note: To play on The Crusher, you must be able to swim 25 metres.

Soft Play

The Soft Play area is suitable for children below the age of 5. It is open from 9 am until 5.30 pm during the week. Plus sometimes on Saturdays from 8.30 am until 3.30 pm (although it may close earlier on Saturday if it has been booked for a party). A session costs £3. There is no need to book, just turn up and pay.

Other activities

The centre runs a range of activities for pre-school children including gymnastics, trampolining and soccer. Orla particularly enjoys Kidagility, which consists of a range of play equipment set up like an obstacle course plus a bouncy castle. Further details of classes can be found on the website.

Altitude High Ropes

Altitude High Ropes closed down during the pandemic in 2020 and didn’t reopen. I’m mentioning it here because less up-to-date blogs still list it as an activity and I wouldn’t want children to be disappointed when they turn up and find out it no longer exists.

Food & Drink

The leisure centre has an indoor cafe; The Terrace plus an outdoor (seasonal) cafe called Lookout. There are small snack kiosks in the park, but these are only open during peak times.

Events

Several events take part in the park throughout the year, from a Fun Fair at Easter to the popular Family Fun Day in July (the 2026 date is 26th July), a Firework Display in November and Christmas Market in November/December. The current programme of events can be found here.

Toilets/Changing Facilities

There are outside toilets next to the playground and more inside the leisure centre.

• Updated: July 2026

For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth with young children, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth with Babies and Toddlers here.