Canford Cliffs sits on the clifftop between Sandbanks and the Bournemouth boundary, and makes a quieter, more practical base than the peninsula.
The village
A short run of independent shops, cafes and restaurants around the main junction, busy year-round rather than just in August.
Compton Acres
The themed gardens are the headline attraction: Italian, Japanese and more, laid out above the harbour with a tea room attached. See parks and gardens.
The chines
Wooded valleys cut from the clifftop down to the sand, giving shade on the way and a beach at the bottom. Branksome Chine is the better known. See beaches.
Staying here
Close to the sand, easier to park than Sandbanks, and better value. See accommodation.