Oasis Fun

Oasis Fun is an indoor leisure complex just outside Christchurch that does what it says on the tin - bowling, arcade games, soft play for the little ones, and food to keep everyone fuelled. Nothing fancy, but it's the sort of place that actually delivers on a rainy Dorset afternoon when the beach isn't an option.

The bowling lanes are decent enough - ten-pin, properly maintained - and the arcade has that mix of driving simulators and claw machines that keeps kids occupied for longer than you'd expect. There's a soft play area for under-10s that's legitimately well-designed, not some sorry afterthought with broken equipment. The café serves the usual suspects: pizza, hot dogs, that kind of thing. It's not going to win any awards for cuisine, but it's reasonably priced and does the job.

Families with young children will get the most mileage out of this. Teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're really into bowling. Adults can have a perfectly pleasant evening without the kids dragging them round yet another museum. Opening hours run until 10pm weekdays and 11pm weekends, which is useful for those looking for evening entertainment.

As a complement to a holiday at Meadowbank Holidays or Sandhills, it's practical rather than essential - the sort of backup plan you're grateful to have when the weather turns. Allow two to three hours if you're doing bowling and games together. Worth booking ahead at weekends during school holidays.