Destination UK

A Jurassic Cruise with City Cruises Poole

Posted on
October 17, 2017

Way back last December I was lucky enough to win a Jurassic Cruise to Swanage with City Cruises.
It was planned in for their last cruise of the season, however, with the promise of some fabulous weather this weekend, they kindly moved it to Saturday for me.
We had Sebby’s class teddy with us, so started the day on Poole Quay where we treated the kids, and Pip, to a cone of chips whilst we waited for our boat to arrive.
Poole Quay
Poole Quay in itself is a fun place to visit, with plenty of places to entertain the kids and we took Pip to see the old lifeboat station.
Poole Quay
The kids recognised the boat, the Solent Scene, as soon as it docked as we have sailed on it before on their Santa Cruise. In fact, Eliza was a little disappointed that Dr Balloonman wasn’t there but they were soon distracted by watching a small tug boat attempt to pull a huge tanker out of the dock.
Poole Harbour
On the way to Swanage you sail across Poole Harbour past Brownsea Island, the largest island in the harbour and home to Brownsea Castle and the famous red squirrels who reside there.
Brownsea Island
It also takes you past Millionaires Row at Sandbanks, home to the rich and famous including Harry Redknapp and Adele.
Sandbanks
It is then out to sea past the Sandbanks Chain Ferry and onto the beaches of Studland Bay.
Sandbanks Chain Ferry
Studland is one of our favourite places to take the kids as it is sheltered and the water is shallow and safe for them to play, so it was lovely seeing it from a different angle as we approached the opening cliffs of the Jurassic coast.
Old Harry Rocks
We sailed past Old Harry Rocks, which are three chalk formations, including a stack and a stump which were named after the infamous Poole pirate, Harry Paye.
Old Harry Rocks
Isaac especially interested in the rock formations and got really excited when Daddy explained he had kayaked out to the rocks and explore the caves. We have had to promise we will do it with him next summer.
Old Harry Rocks
The Captain also gave an informative to talk during the cruise, pointing out points of local interest and the geology of the local area.
City Cruise Poole
It was then on to Swanage Bay where we docked.
Swanage Bay
You can choose to go and explore with 2-5 hours ashore in Swanage or head straight back on the return journey.
City Cruise Poole
We decided to head straight back as had only visited Swanage and rode the steam trains a couple of weeks before and the sun finally joined us on the way back home.
Jurassic Coast
Of course, being on a boat you have to try the King of the World pose!!
City Cruise
We were also impressed by the sheer number of boats on the water and almost everyone waved back to us.
City Cruise
We really enjoyed exploring the local area by sea and hope to take a cruise further along the coast next time.
Poole Harbour
A family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) for a return trip to Swanage costs £32.63. They also run a sea train adventure which includes a steam train ride to pass by Corfe Castle and back for £50.33 for a family which is great value.

 
 

TAGS
RELATED POSTS
29 Comments
  1. Reply

    Helen

    October 18, 2017

    What a fun trip out and a different way of seeing the beautiful British coastline. The houses in Sandbanks look seriously impressive!

  2. Reply

    Dean of Little Steps

    October 18, 2017

    That looks amazing, especially the chalk formations. Never really thought of going on city cruises, but this is definitely interesting 🙂

  3. Reply

    Talya

    October 18, 2017

    What a fab way of explore the Jurassic coast I’ll definitely earmark this for next time we are down that way.

  4. Reply

    Rebecca | AAUBlog

    October 18, 2017

    aw this looks fab. We went to Poole for the weekend last month and I loved it. We walked to the top of Old Harry Rocks 🙂

    • Reply

      Kara

      October 18, 2017

      I still haven’t done that but its on my to do list

  5. Reply

    Erica Price

    October 18, 2017

    Such stunning scenery! We visited that part of the world on a geography field trip to see all the geographic features, but it would have been more fun to do it by boat.

  6. Reply

    Leona

    October 18, 2017

    I’d love to cruise Poole looks so beauotful

  7. Reply

    Renna

    October 18, 2017

    This is brilliant…. you get great views and I wouldn’t mind exploring the caves too !! Thanks for sharing.

  8. Reply

    pinkoddy

    October 18, 2017

    This sounds like a great way to travel and there is certainly a lot to see on the journey to Swanage and back. That really isn’t a bad price either is it – so another thing to put on our list of things to do/places to travel.

  9. Reply

    Anosa

    October 18, 2017

    It looks like a lovely day trip, some beautiful sights to see and not expensive at all. P.S. Love the teddies cape

  10. Reply

    DJT @ Thinking Thrifty

    October 19, 2017

    What an incredible way to check out the British coastline. That looks like an awesome day out!

  11. Reply

    Hannah

    October 19, 2017

    Never thought about going on a city cruise until now! Looks great 🙂

  12. Reply

    Ami Rose

    October 19, 2017

    Oh wow it looks like you all had such a lovely trip. I’d love to go on a mini cruise one day! The Jurassic Coast is gorgeous and you managed to see some fab landmarks on this trip!
    Ami xxx

  13. Reply

    Stephanie Merry

    October 19, 2017

    Oh wow, what a fab experience! Looks like you all had a great time x

  14. Reply

    John Milnes

    October 19, 2017

    I have passed Poole so many times while heading up to Scarborough. I guess I need to pull off and have a good nosey around. I am always looking for good places to photograph.
    Thanks for sharing
    John M

  15. Reply

    Ali - We Made This Life

    October 19, 2017

    This looks like lots of fun and you got to see so much! We used to holiday down in this area every summer when we were children!

  16. Reply

    Sonia

    October 20, 2017

    Well I’d like to live on Millionaire’s row 😉 Looks amazing!!!

  17. Reply

    Taslyn Russell

    October 20, 2017

    This post makes me want to go on family holiday. It looks so fun.
    TaslynMatina

  18. Reply

    Mary Louise

    October 20, 2017

    You cruised past so many great places. I would love to take my binoculars and have a good nose at Millionaires row!!

  19. Reply

    Fashion and Style Police

    October 20, 2017

    I can see you all had fun. I have to try the king of the world pose when next I get on a ship.

  20. Reply

    Cass Bailey

    October 20, 2017

    This looks like so much fun – we’d love to do something like this x

  21. Reply

    Holly - Little Pickle's Mom

    October 21, 2017

    Oh wow, this looks lovely – and looks like Super Pip had a great time too. So lovely that they moved it forward to take advantage of the weather. The coast looks beautiful – really makes me want to explore more of our gorgeous country.

  22. Reply

    Hannah

    October 21, 2017

    This made me so emotional- Dorset, (mainly Purbeck but also the Poole area) is where we have spent most of our holidays with our kids. We’ve been 3-4 times a year since our eldest was born and it holds so many memories. We never did this tour, but we did get the boat to Brownsea which was fun! We’re in Asia at the moment but one day we’ll return to lovely Dorset!

  23. Reply

    denajayne

    October 22, 2017

    This brings back SO many memories, I used to love taking the class teddy out. I once got to take it to a wedding, I think everybody danced with it haha! x

  24. Reply

    Jo @ Mummy Needs Wine

    October 22, 2017

    What an adventure. Looks so much fun. I would love to explore the Dorset coastline by boat

  25. Reply

    Emma

    October 23, 2017

    It looks beautiful Kara. I really want to visit the Jurassic Coast next summer. x

  26. Reply

    Stuart Forster

    October 24, 2017

    This is part of the British coastline that I’d love to see from a boat. Your pictures convey the natural beauty of the region.

  27. Reply

    Stephanie

    October 24, 2017

    This looks great. something my kids would love. We love Studland beach for the reasons you said. I love that you could see lots of landmarks on this boat trip

  28. Reply

    Jillian Michelle

    October 25, 2017

    I’d love to go on this cruise! The cliffs are stunning! And Brownsea Castle is super cute, too! I love it! <3

Leave a Reply

KARA GUPPY
Bournemouth

Are we nearly there yet? is a new online blog run by me, Kara Guppy, and is named as such thanks to my daughter Eliza who always asks that very question when we are less than 5 minutes up the road heading off on our adventures. You may know me from my other family blog chelseamamma.co.uk