Follow the Barranco de las Angustias hiking route along the ravine boulders to reach Cascada de los Colores, a magical, rainbow-coloured waterfall. Cross Dos Aguas, a river with stepping stones, has fascinating geological formations and canyons. This walk is not for the faint-hearted, but those who undertake it will be rewarded with a one-of-a-kind experience. The walk begins at La Viña parking area.

Parc Panda greets you with a warm welcome and is a great place for the whole family. Despite the name, they do not have pandas here but when climbing in the trees you might feel like one.

Hengistbury Head is a place of wild, ancient beauty and a stark lesson in conservation. For over 12,000 years, this headland has witnessed human activity, but its most dramatic scars are from the Victorian era. Between 1848 and 1870, industrial quarrying stripped the protective ironstone from its cliffs, causing the loss of a third of the land to the sea in just decades. Today, it’s a meticulously protected mosaic of heathland, grassland and coastline — an internationally significant Site of Special Scientific Interest where adders, skylarks and rare natterjack toads find refuge. Your first stop should be the Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a trail leaflet and learn to read the landscape’s hidden clues, from its deep archaeology to the ongoing work of the rangers who balance public access with preservation. For your visit, wear good shoes and prepare for spectacular, sweeping views over Christchurch Harbour, Bournemouth Bay and the Isle of Wight. You have two distinct experiences here: the rugged south-facing pebble beach beneath imposing clay cliffs, and the soft, sandy expanse of Mudeford Spit, famously lined with colourful beach huts. Hop on the charming land train from the Hiker Café for a gentle ride to the spit, where you can enjoy a café and more facilities.