If you’re looking for a scenic walk but don’t want to travel miles out into the countryside, this easy walk located between Bournemouth and Poole may be what you’re looking for.
It’s close to Westbourne high street and leads you down to Bournemouth town centre, whilst giving you natural beauty spots, and quiet surroundings but still offers close by amenities.
This is a 4.3km circular walk that is suitable for families, and dogs are welcome.
💡 Note: This article highlights the best parts of this scenic Dorset walk, including the peaceful Coy Pond and Upper Gardens. For a full, step-by-step mapped-out version of the route, you can find all the details on AllTrails here.
The walk starts in the scenic Coy Pond, a quiet residential area offering 9 acres of idyllic gardens, weeping willows, and, of course, a pond with huge Koi fish swimming in the sparkling water.
🚘 There is free parking along the residential streets around Coy Pond.
You can take a walk around the pond, which offers lots of peaceful benches, perfect for sitting, reflecting and watching the local wildlife.
Coy Pond can be a busy spot; however, if you visit during a quiet time, you’ll see few people during your visit.
There are interesting spots for children to see, such as Bug City, with lots of natural buildings providing insects and bugs with a safe place to live.
Other wildlife that can be spotted in and around Coy Pond are foxes, squirrels, ducks, dragonflies and, if you’re lucky, kingfishers.
🦆 If you would like to feed the ducks, please remember not to feed them bread as it can be harmful. A great homemade mix can include oats, sweetcorn, frozen peas, rice and seeds.
Once you have explored Coy Pond, you can follow the route through the upper Bournemouth gardens.
Along the way, you’ll see an abundance of plants and trees of all colours and sizes. A common one that gives the feeling you’re wandering around Jurrasic Park is the giant Gunnera plants.
No matter what time of year you take this walk, there is beauty everywhere. Nothing but the sound of birdsong and the running water of the stream can be heard, bringing a sense of peace while walking.
A cycle path also runs through making it a great place for a scenic bike ride.
A charming gothic water tower can be seen along the way, dating back to 1885. With its gothic castle-like features, it is aptly now a home to bats.
The pretty stream runs down towards the sea and offers a calming sound whilst walking through the woodland.
Pretty red bridges are located along the stream, offering you a chance to cross over during your walk.
The pathways are mostly paved or decked, although some of them are dirt and gravel paths, making it a muddy walk during wetter weather.
When you reach the tennis courts, you can turn back and make your way back to Coy Pond, or if you want to venture into the town centre, it’s a five-minute walk from the courts.
A children’s play park is also located near the tennis courts making it a perfect spot to stop for a break with small children.
To find out more about this walk, visit Alltrails here.
If you’re looking for another peaceful outdoor escape, check out more scenic Dorset walks here.
2 comments
Are the paths like tarmac or pavings, I read some gravel paths, does that mean there is not tarmac or pavings all the way?
I am disabled with a power wheelchair, I cannot manage gravel paths due to pain in hips and back. I find it hard to know where I can go, I manage Poole Park, I cannot manage RSPB Arne, due to uneven ground. It is frustrating as I love wildlife, I enjoy photography, but rarely go out and spend my time in our garden.
Thank you for any help or guidance you can give me.
Paul
Hi Paul, it’s a bit of a mix, more gravel path towards Koi Pond end, but more of the path down to Bournemouth is tarmac. I would say you should be alright using a power wheelchair as the gravel isn’t to bad. If you click the Alltrails link in the article you can see pics of the path and that might help. Enjoy!