Things to do in Bournemouth

Things to do in  Bournemouth

Cherry on the coast

With a 7-mile (11-kilometer) expanse of soft, golden sand, Bournemouth is said to have one of the finest beaches along England’s South Coast. That’s certainly helped establish its reputation as a popular resort town, as have the historic Bournemouth Pier and many entertainment options along the water’s edge. But there are more things to do in Bournemouth than visit the waterfront—visitors can also explore the wealth of Victorian architecture; cultural destinations such as the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum and Mary Shelley’s grave; the destination-worthy Upper, Middle, and Lower Gardens; and the nearby UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast.

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Top 1 attractions in Bournemouth

#1

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

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Lavish both inside and out, the Grade II–listed Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum offers an insight into the eclectic tastes of world travelers Lady Annie and Sir Merton Russell-Cotes. Here, admire the striking art nouveau architecture, permanent collection of European and Japanese artefacts, sloping English gardens, and more.More
Tours & Tickets

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Top activities in Bournemouth

Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door Mini-Coach Tour from Bournemouth

Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door Mini-Coach Tour from Bournemouth

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350
From
$44.68
Full Day Jurassic Coast Mini-Coach Tour from Bournemouth

Full Day Jurassic Coast Mini-Coach Tour from Bournemouth

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103
From
$68.93
City Sightseeing Bournemouth Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing Bournemouth Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

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71
From
$20.43
Private Transfer from Bournemouth Airport (BOH) to Southampton City

Private Transfer from Bournemouth Airport (BOH) to Southampton City

From
$87.76
per group
Private Bournemouth Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport

Private Bournemouth Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport

From
$55.96
Private Transfer from Bournemouth City to Southampton Airport (SOU)

Private Transfer from Bournemouth City to Southampton Airport (SOU)

From
$87.76
per group
2 DAY TOUR | Jurassic Coast, Glastonbury, Stonehenge & Salisbury

2 DAY TOUR | Jurassic Coast, Glastonbury, Stonehenge & Salisbury

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3
From
$343.40
Private Bournemouth Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation

Private Bournemouth Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation

From
$55.96
1-Hour Bournemouth Bubble and Zorb Football Ticket 15 Players

1-Hour Bournemouth Bubble and Zorb Football Ticket 15 Players

From
$478.71
per group
Hengistbury Head: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Hengistbury Head: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

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3
From
$6.99
1 Hour VR Gaming Experience in Bournemouth
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

1 Hour VR Gaming Experience in Bournemouth

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284
From
$44.68
Bournemouth Airport to Bournemouth - Round-Trip Private Transfer

Bournemouth Airport to Bournemouth - Round-Trip Private Transfer

From
$131.63
Private Tour Winchester

Private Tour Winchester

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29
From
$31.91
Bournemouth Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour

Bournemouth Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour

From
$11.29
Bournemouth to Bournemouth Airport Departure Private Transfer

Bournemouth to Bournemouth Airport Departure Private Transfer

From
$65.82
Bournemouth Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK

Bournemouth Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK

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3
From
$19.15
per group
E-Bike Half-Day Trip to Harrys Rock or Corfé Castle

E-Bike Half-Day Trip to Harrys Rock or Corfé Castle

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47
From
$95.74
Bar & Club queue jump entry Party Pass to multiple venues in Bournemouth

Bar & Club queue jump entry Party Pass to multiple venues in Bournemouth

From
$12.77
Private - Three games of Tower Tag Experience (up to 8 players in 2 teams)
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Private - Three games of Tower Tag Experience (up to 8 players in 2 teams)

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27
From
$38.30
E-Bike Day Trip with Lunch to Harrys Rock or Corfé Castle

E-Bike Day Trip with Lunch to Harrys Rock or Corfé Castle

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6
From
$121.27
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All about Bournemouth

When to visit

With a micro-climate that provides mild winters and some of the UK’s best weather, Bournemouth offers year-round opportunities for over 25 different watersports. The town is at its best during the summer months (June through August), when the weather is lovely and festival season is in full swing. Look for the Shake and Stir Festival, a vintage-themed extravaganza; Bourne Free, Bournemouth’s LGBTQ pride festival; and the Bournemouth Air Festival, the UK’s largest air show.

Getting around

Bournemouth’s compact center makes it easy to walk around town. If you want to save tired legs, use the local bus services. There are also lots of cycling paths, and you can rent a bike through the Beryl bike sharing system; you’ll need to download their app. Another scenic option—available from spring through fall—is taking one of the blue-and-yellow land trains that travel up and down the seafront.

Traveler tips

There’s more to Bournemouth than just beachside attractions: For a change of pace, head east to the suburb of Pokesdown, which is known as the city’s creative quarter and attracts artists, artisans, musicians, and writers. While there, browse the vintage shops, emporiums, and boutiques on Christchurch Road. Lastly, for incredible ice cream with Italian flair, head to Giggi Gelateria, located in the Burlington Arcade. The owner is from Puglia and makes authentic southern Italian gelato.

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People Also Ask

What is Bournemouth famous for?

Bournemouth is a quintessential British seaside resort town, and it has remained popular even after similar spot lost their appeal (thanks to cheap air travel to other parts of Europe). Tourists today come for bucket-and-spade fun in the sand and a stroll down the piers—just as tourists did in Victorian days.

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How do I spend a day in Bournemouth?

Take a hop-on hop-off tour to get your bearings, then stroll from Bournemouth Square through the Lower Gardens to the seafront, where the beach, the pier, and countless eateries await. For an active day, take the 4-hour looped hiking trail along the coast from Bournemouth to Boscombe and Hengistbury Head.

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What is the nicest part of Bournemouth?

Central Bournemouth is nice, and it’s ideal for a quick visit as it offers easy access to the main beach and pier. If you’re staying longer, try Westbourne, a hip enclave popular with locals, or Sandbanks, which is the place for a blow-the-budget trip with posh shops and views of Poole Harbour.

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What is there to do in Bournemouth in the winter?

Winter is a great time for crowd-free fun. Go for a bracing beach walk—fish and chips in hand—and enjoy a spin on the Bournemouth Big Wheel. During the holidays, there’s also the Christmas Tree Wonderland with a market, ice skating, and lots of lights.

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Does Bournemouth have rides?

Yes. There are a number of theme parks in the area and an amusement arcade with (somewhat pricey) children’s rides at the end of Bournemouth Pier. For a ride with a high-up twist, take the PierZip, a zip line that takes you over the sea to the sand.

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Is Bournemouth worth visiting?

Yes, Bournemouth is worth a visit, especially if you are coming in on a cruise from nearby Southampton or having an extended stay in London. You’ll experience a proper British seaside town with a modern feel and see one of the loveliest sweeps of sand on England’s south coast.

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