Days out with Brinkley – the Brinkley award

Pin It

As someone who loves nature and visiting gardens,  it’s not only a pleasure but also as a part of my work, and now that I have little Brinkley, I am looking at new opportunities for days out with him.

In my research to find dog friendly places to visit, I thought it would be fun to write a review of places visited, as well as covering other important issues to me such as disability access and whether gluten free food is available – yes a real mix.

My criteria will be as follows –

Dogs –

• Does the place accept dogs?
• Do they provide bins?
• Do they provide an area for refreshments for our furry friends
• If visiting a place that has a café / restaurant / pub where are the dogs allowed to be?

Disability access –

• How accessible is the area?
• Is parking near by?
• Is the area suitable for wheelchairs – manual or electric
• Is there is enough seating?
• Are there disabled toilets?
• Are there any steps?
• If there are doors – how easy is to open them

Gluten free food –

• If the place visited has a café/restaurant are there alternatives for those on a gluten free diet?

If a place is particularly good and covers most of the criteria, I will award them with a golden Brinkley award – which means a thank you card with Brinkley on the front. I will mention the ‘Birds on the Blog’ and encourage them to visit to see the review.

If there is anything you would like me to add to my little list, please let me know by leaving a comment and I will do my best for you.

If you would like to join in please let us know, and see if we can send Brinkley awards around the country, encouraging those who have excellent places for us to visit!

My first place is the rather lovely ‘The Blue Pool and Tea House’ in Dorset

Have you been there?

I have been to Blue Pool over the years, but not regularly. Blue Pool is an amazing place! You really have to see it to believe the colours of the pool. It’s a real mix of brilliant blues with a touch of green, which just highlights the colour even more, even on a cloudy day.

This pool is just for admiring though, not to be dived into, due to the clay base it is dangerous to swim in. But don’t let this put you off.

This year they are celebrating their 75^th Anniversary! Earlier this year on their anniversary date in June you could enter at the same price it was when it first opened, at a princely sum of 10p!

The area is designated as an area of special scientific interest and is a place of beauty and calm. You can wonder around at leisure choosing your path depending on whether you want a long walk or a shorter easier route, for those who use a wheelchair for example. You can listen to the chorus of birds including woodpeckers, kestrels, buzzards, robins … the lush greenery is beautiful to walk by and every now and then you can catch a glimpse of the famous pool.

This is a great place to bring the family as there is a wealth of nature to enjoy, if you are lucky you may see dragonflies darting around the smaller pond on your walk that has a nice seating area. There is also a play area and you can go on a squirrel hunt – how many can you see?

Dogs are welcome if kept on a lead. They also provide a couple of bins and fresh water bowls near the tearooms for our furry friends. You can even take your dog inside the tearooms, which is a real big star for me!

So here is a quick overview of my review using our criteria–

Dogs -

• Does the place accept dogs? – Yes
• Do they provide bins? – Yes
• Do they provide an area for refreshments for our furry friends? – Yes, water bowls.
• If visiting a place that has a café / restaurant / pub where are the dogs allowed to be? Inside and outside

Disability access –

• How accessible is the area? Fairly good, the red route on the map gives you the walk that is best for those who find walking difficult, or who use wheelchairs. May be difficult in wet weather due to the woodland floor. It has plenty of seating.
• Is parking near by? Yes
• Is the area suitable for wheelchairs – manual or electric? – I think that electric wheelchairs would do best due to the terrain. But it is possible in a manual wheelchair.
• Is there is enough seating? Very good!!! One of the best places I have been to for plenty of seating along the paths.
• Are there disabled toilets? Yes
• Are there any steps? Steps and ramps into the shop and tearooms.
• If there are doors – how easy is to open them? Doors are fairly easy to open.

Gluten free food –

• If the place visited has a café/restaurant are there alternatives for those on a gluten free diet?

I have to say that I was excited to find that they have gluten free bread, so I could have a sandwich; the toasted sandwiches are rather nice! And even more exciting – they have gluten free cupcakes! Hurrah! They are very yummy!!!

So in conclusion this is a fab place to visit if you have a dog, if you use a wheelchair, and need a gluten free diet! Ticks all the boxes for me!

Brinkley loves his visits there and will be going back soon as there is lots to sniff and investigate!

Want to visit?

Quick tell me how to get there I hear you cry!

-          The Blue Pool and Tea House can be found in the Isle of Purbeck Dorset, between Wareham and Corfe Castle

-          Opening times – 1^st March – 30^th November 9.30 am – 5.00 pm (closes slightly later in the summer), check  website for details before travelling.

-          Website – www.bluepooluk.com

-          Admission is –

• £5.00 for adults,
• £3.80 for Seniors and concessions
• £2.50 for children aged 5-14,
• Free for children under 2 years old.
• Family Ticket available
• Season tickets are available

Anita

Click the book to join us

About Anita Hunt
Anita Hunt specialises in botanical photography, and is the creator of beautiful, luxury greeting cards and gifts, inspired by the beauty of nature. You can join her on Twitter @NitaJoyDesigns and facebook. She is also a children's author and anti-bullying campaigner Are You Being Bullied?
View all posts by Anita Hunt →