Let us entertain you, digitally
On this page you will find a variety of virtual events, experiences and activities that will allow you to enjoy Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole all from the comfort of your home.
Several our partners have "gone virtual" in recent times, helping us to make sure that if you have to stay at home for now, you can still enjoy our stunning destination online!
Live Cameras Around the Destination
If you can’t travel you can still enjoy some beautiful locations from the comfort and safety of your home. Here are some fun live camera streams from around the destination.
FJB Hotels - Live Sandbanks Cams
FJB Hotels have two live cams on their website; One observes Sandbanks Bay from a postion at their Harbour Heights Hotel and the other is positioned at the Haven Hotel looking over to Studland.
Rick Stein - Poole Harbour View
Rick Stein Sandbanks also have Webcam looking back over Poole Harbour from their restaurant near North Haven Yacht Club.
Virtual Swanage
This site contains multiple live cameras around Swanage and The Isle of Purbeck. Including views of Swanage Railway Station and Corfe Castle.
Wildlife Webcams
Birds of Poole Harbour - Live Osprey Nest
Birds of Poole Harbour have a huge amount of wildlife footage on their website. Their new Osprey camera has recently been installed in time to observe potential breeding, Be sure to check out these incredible birds and potentially witness history in the making on the Birds of Poole Harbour YouTube channel.
Hengistbury Head - Wildlife Camera Campaign
Bournemouth Parks Foundation are getting closer to their target of £2000 for a new wildlife camera for their Visitor Centre, here you can donate and enjoy their current camera that observes a nest of Herons with their young. If you're lucky you'll be able to witness egg laying, hatching, feeding and fledging of the young!
Marwell Zoo - Live Webcams
Catch up with the flamingos, penguins, and aquatic creatures via webcam footage from Marwell Zoo. Plus, some wonderful updates about the zoo, the keepers and the animals on their Facebook page.
Additional Animal Antics
Follow the animals at Paulton’s Park – Home of Peppa Pig World
Missing the Penguins and Meerkats at Pauton's Park? You can now see what the animals are up to on their YouTube channel and social media pages!
Oceanarium – Bournemouth
Dive behind the scenes at the Bournemouth Oceanarium and watch a day in the life of some wonderful animals. Videos include; feeding times of the Blacktip Shark, cleaning the crocodile pools, and an Octopus’ Birthday Party! They are also some fun craft activities for kids to download!
Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre
Monkey world have some fantastic virtual live tours of the park , you can even book your own personal family tour. If you are looking for something for the kids to do that is educational then take a look at their home schooling section it's full of activities and lessons that will keep young minds busy. .
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
You can still see what the animals at Farmer Palmers are getting up to with the great content on their facebook page. Follow them on facebook for regularly updated videos including a digital tour through the fields and some adorable baby goats!
Who would’ve thought there’d be a time where you can enjoy Poole without ever having to leave the sofa!?
Check out some great online content
Experience Wellbeing with Dorset Scenery
Try a great online experience from Dorset Mind and Crowd that allows you to enjoy our beautiful county from your home. In these uncertain times it's more important than ever to look after our mental health and wellbeing. At my.dorsetmind.uk you can select sounds and scenery and escape to your favourite part of Dorset for a few moments of calm.
Tank Museum on Youtube - A Source of Entertainment Not Just For Tank Fanatics!Tank Museum is regularly posting on their popular YouTube channel including; competitions, challenges, lectures with the Director and past Q&A session with Curator David Willey.
Arts & Culture
Take an Interactive Virtual Art Tour around Salisbury Cathedral - Due to limited capacity in person, Salisbury Cathedral have made the Spirit and Endeavour exhibition available online for free! This remarkable show is one of the largest in nearly two decades at the cathedral and brings together work from some of the most important and influential contemporary artists of the 20th and 21st century, including Antony Gormley, Shirazeh Houshiary, Henry Moore, Grayson Perry, Conrad Shawcross, Stanza and Mark Wallinger.
BSO digital concerts on demand - Enjoy the world renown Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra from the comfort of your home. Each concert costs £6 giving you on demand access to view for up to 30 days after the listed performance date. We also have a series of accompanying pre-concert talks which give an informative insight to the repertoire being performed for each concert for only £3.
Poole Museum - Museum from Home
The Museum website contains a number of interaction resources including digital tours, exhibits and activities for kids.
So, you think you know the Russell-Cotes?
Test your knowledge of Bournemouth’s famed Art Gallery and Museum with their quiz series. Sign up to the mailing list for updates on the museum or download previous quizzes from the website. Can you get 20 out of 20? The Russell-Cotes website also features an online art collection and fun activities to enjoy at home.
Fitness & Health
FREE Park Yoga - Online
Missing your Park Yoga fix? You can catch up with quick and easy Park Yoga Shorts at any time on YouTube. These videos are all 30 minutes or less and focus on different parts of the body. Enjoy at your leisure!
BH Live Active - Home Fitness classes
Staying fit and healthy is more important than ever in the current circumstances. BH Live have created some FREE workouts that you can do all from the comfort of your home. tag @bhlive active on social media to show off your skills!
Two Riversmeet - Virtual Gym Classes
The Christchurch leisure centre will also be hosting live classes via their facebook page. use the hashtag #Team2RM to join the conversation online.
More Fun For Kids
Check out the 'Buuuut I'm Bored!' Challenge, for 30 fun activities to help beat the lockdown boredom - created by BCP Tourism.
Highcliffe Castle - Online Family Activities
Here you can find resource packs with a range of Highcliffe Castle themed activities, suitable for a mixture of age groups to be able to explore and enjoy, whilst in the safety of the home.
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf - Online Family Activities
Meet the Moonshadow Gang's Cap'n Ed and Ruby in their very own animations and download the Cove's own special colouring activity sheets
Want something to occupy your kids during half term and want to win a sightseeing ticket for your family of five for when we can get outside again? Then complete the City Cruises interactive quiz for kids for a chance to win!
For more inspiration on how to enjoy Poole from home, you can:
Head to our blog section for great ideas and inspiration on how to pass time during lockdown.
Download our fun Bournemouth & Poole Lockdown Music Quiz. To play with your friends and family and discover a little bit more about our beautiful area!
Did you know our destination is well photographed on Google Street View? It’s a fun and digital way to travel. You can Read a tutorial of how to use this function of google maps here. Or check out this 360 image of Hengistbury Head, a particular favourite of ours!
As always you can scroll down to our virtual events calendar and see what else is taking place digitally around the destination