This is a well-run, friendly and popular curry house with a fine menu. The dishes are very good with several specialities (mustard curry, patia, Gate of India special, shaslik etc). Portions are generous. Excellent value. Takeaway service. Wheelchair access. Good parking. Booking advised.

54-56 Commercial Road, Poole
Telephone 01202-745505

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There is an oldy worldy feel to the beach, with the chalets and bare concrete steps, and the enormous sandy area to the west is a paradise for kids. The cliffs add a sense of untouched nature and provide great views across the bay to the Isle of Wight.

In Poole, near to Bournemouth. Can be reached by car or puiblic transport at the bottom of The Avenue, or by walking through the delightful woods from anywhere in Poole.

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Offering a natural haven to red squirrels and deer - so no dogs allowed - Brownsea is 500 acres of woodland with trails in the middle of Poole Harbour. The walking is easy and there are great views of Studland and the Purbeck hills, and on a clear day you can just about see some of  the world's most expensive houses at Sandbanks. Brownsea is where Baden Powell started the Scout movement (100 yrs ago this summer). Take the yellow ferry from Sandbanks quay (£4.50 or £12.50 for a family (2+3) and then the National Trust entrance fee is £4.70 for adults £2.30 for kids. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Corfe Castle is a story-book medieval ruin, set on a hillock above a village on Dorset's Isle of Purbeck - not, in fact, an island, but a peninsular. You could easily spend a couple of hours in the castle and its surroundings, but if the children have enough energy afterwards, you could combine it with a walk over Ballard Down to Swanage (about 5 miles, so take snacks to keep them going). While you wouldn't describe this seaside town as sleepy - chip shops on every corner - there's still something wonderfully old-fashioned about the place, epitomised by the steam railway, which runs up and down the coast, and will get you back to Corfe Castle in about 15 minutes.

Swanage is around 8 miles from Poole.
Corfe castle: tel: 01929 481 294; www.corfecastle.org.uk
Swanage railway: tel: 01929 425 800;
www.swanagerailway.co.uk

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On the Purbeck peninsula is a pristine National Trust beach, a two-minute chain-ferry ride from Sandbanks. The long stretch of sand is stunning and has views of the mouth of Poole harbour, the Isle of Wight and sailboats and huge ferries coming in and out of the harbour on their way to Brittany. Bring a picnic and get there early – it’s popular but still undeveloped, thankfully.

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