Redhill Park Playground

One of the better-kept parks in Bournemouth, this one genuinely earns its reputation. The play area covers a solid range of equipment — slides, swings, a climbing structure, seesaw, merry-go-round — so kids between 2 and 10 tend to find something worth fighting over. On a warm day, the splash pool is the real draw, and it does get busy, so earlier is better. There’s a cafe on site, decent restrooms, good parking, and parents can actually watch their kids without craning their necks. Add in the basketball court, football field, and open grass, and you’ve got a park worth making a proper afternoon of.