Things to do with kids in West Bay, Bridport, Dorset
Child-friendly cafe with beaches, walks and a playground within easy reach
A very blustery but sunny beach walk calls for giant hot chocolates with whipped cream and marshmallows to finish, and Cherries Ice Cream Parlour on the edge of the harbour at West Bay was just the place to find them.
I’ve been wanting to check out this eclectic little place for a while, having seen photos on Facebook of some rather spectacular ice cream sundaes and a doughnut ice cream sandwich! Although this time we opted to sit outside where we could hear the waves crashing onto the nearby beach, the inside is an enticing place for youngsters with its bright colours, vintage touches and high bar stools. It just feels like a really fun place to be.
Centrally located in West Bay, near Bridport, this is a great pit stop for breakfast, brunch, bagels, sandwiches, epic ice cream sundaes, waffles and treats all year round (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). They also do really nice lunch specials, if you’re in the mood for something exciting – fresh fish from the fishermen, tasty curries, always something new!
From the café you can watch the boats in the harbour, take a buggy-friendly stroll along the promenade and the piers, or visit West Bay’s two beaches, each only a couple of minutes’ walk from the door.
While in West Bay with children, it's almost mandatory to drop in to the popular adventure playground on West Bay road – 5 minutes or so walk from the Harbour area – and if you’re looking for a memorable family activity in the summer months, I can highly recommend booking a canoe trip up the River Bride with West Bay Canoes.
