Tucked into the first floor of the pavilion building at Queen’s Park Golf Course, Woodpecker Bar and Cafe is a council-run spot that doubles as a refuelling stop for golfers and a regular haunt for anyone using the wider park. It’s run by BCP Council, with takings going back into upkeep of the park itself, and it opens its doors daily to golfers, families, dog walkers and anyone passing through the green space rather than only to people playing a round.
The food
The menu runs through the day, covering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and lighter snacks, built around a seasonal selection that leans on local ingredients where they’re available. There’s a kids’ menu too, which matters given how many families pass through with the adjoining playground and park trails nearby. Alongside the food there’s barista coffee and soft drinks, and a full licensed bar for anyone wanting a drink after nine or eighteen holes, or simply a stop on a longer walk. Takeaway is also an option for anyone who wants to keep moving rather than sit down.
The setting
The café occupies the first floor of the park pavilion, with a balcony that looks out across the fairways of Queen’s Park Golf Course, an established municipal course dating back to the early twentieth century. That elevated view is one of the things that sets it apart from a typical park kiosk — you get a genuine outlook over the course and grounds rather than just a car park. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, so it works equally well as a quick coffee stop or a longer sit-down in fine weather. Queen’s Park itself is a Green Flag-recognised green space, with woodland, open grass and walking trails around the golf course.
Where it is
The café sits on Queens Park West Drive, on the northern side of Bournemouth away from the seafront, reached most easily by car with free on-site parking, or on foot via the park’s trail network. It’s a fair distance inland from the coast, so this isn’t a beachfront stop — it’s more of a green-space destination in its own right, worth combining with a walk around the park rather than a day at the Boscombe seafront.
Good to know
Access is step-free: a lift runs from ground level and arrives directly at the café entrance, so wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs aren’t left negotiating stairs. The venue can also be booked privately for parties, celebrations or golf society functions for up to 100 guests, with the same balcony views over the course. As with any council-run seasonal operation, exact opening times can shift through the year, so it’s worth a quick check of the website or a phone call ahead if you’re planning a special trip rather than a passing visit.