THE weekend is set to be a sunny one, with temperatures expected to reach 20 and 21 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.

Although lockdown restrictions are easing, we are still fairly limited with what we can spend our free time doing.

For this reason, we have compiled a list of local places you can go for a walk, whether that be with your dog, loved ones or by yourself.

Alum Chine Tropical Gardens

This tropical beachside location offers shaded paths and of course, great sea views.

The tropical gardens, which have their origins in the 1920s, provide an ideal area to relax and enjoy the quiet.

The gardens are renowned for their award-winning facilities, intriguing landscape design and stunning views.

There is no cost to enter the gardens.

Kingston Lacy

The country mansion with lovely gardens near Wimborne Gardens has reopened its doors to the public, but restrictions are in place.

The parkland, part of the garden, car park, takeaway café, shop and toilets are now open, but pre-booking is required to visit.

You can bring your furry friend along for a pleasant walk as dogs are allowed in all open areas, except for the formal garden.

Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

To book an advanced ticket, visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/features/visiting-kingston-lacy-what-you-need-to-know

Moors Valley Country Park

Moors Valley Country Park in Ashley Heath is the perfect place to enjoy a countryside walk.

The park offers a variety of walking and fitness trails all varying in length.

These trails will enable you to explore different areas of the park, with the walking routes waymarked on the ground.

Alternatively, you can enjoy the lush greenery of the park on bike.

Moors Valley’s cycle hire is open once more with new procedures in place.

You can follow waymarked cycle routes, make your own route along miles of gravel tracks, or explore beyond the boundaries of the park.

To find out more about the procedures in place for cycle hire and for the park as a whole, visit: https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/cycle-hire-covid-19-procedures/

Avon Beach

If you fancy some fresh, sea air, take a stroll along Avon Beach, Christchurch.

Popular for its sandy beaches and large pebble attraction by the entrance of the beach, Avon Beach enables visitors to soak up the sunshine in a beautiful location.

Avon Beach also hosts popular restaurant The Noisy Lobster.

Although the main restaurant is currently closed, the company’s fish and chip takeaway, shop, bakery and ice cream parlour remain open.

The nearby toilets are also open.

Upton Country Park

The Poole country park has reopened its beautifully landscaped Walled Garden, Borders and the Path of Life, so visitors can explore and enjoy the wildlife in this area of the park.

There is a signed one-way system in place with entry via the gates nearest the Tea Room and Courtyard.

A variety of walking and cycling paths can also be enjoyed, and the details can be found here: https://uptoncountrypark.com/park-map/

The park has also opened up some of the new meadows near the shoreline to allow more space to explore.

It is asked that visitors adhere to signage around the Park which follows the wider BCP Council approach to ‘keep left’ and to ‘keep your distance’.