Things to do on cloudy days

1.Visit the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum - an eclectic mix of treasures from around the world including famous paintings and gems collected by the Russell-Cotes family.

2. Do the Pier to Pier walk. Start at either Bournemouth or Boscombe Pier and finish at the other. Enjoy the scenic stroll along the promenade and treat yourself to coffee and cake at one of the many cafes, restaurants or hotels at either end.

3. Whatever the season, enjoy an expert-guided walk through Bournemouth's many parks and gardens. Learn about flowers, insects, birds and animals that inhabit the diverse countryside. For information contact the Tourist Information Centre on 0845 051 1700

4. Enjoy high tea; the ultimate British tradition! Enjoy tea, sandwiches and cake at one of our many hotels, cafes and restaurants, after you're feet need a break from shopping in the many boutiques and department stores.

5. Hire a beach hut, another great British tradition. Did you know Bournemouth invented the beach hut back in 1908 and still rents out the oldest in the world? OR hire one of the new funky surf reef 'beach pods', based at Boscombe Beach - the ultimate in style.

6. Get in the water! The sea off Bournemouth beach is perfect for early morning swimming, surf lessons and body boarding. There are plenty of watersports to choose from in Bournemouth and neighbouring Poole - even if you're a beginner! Check out our 25+ watersports at www.coastwiththemost.com

7. Check out Bournemouth's newest indoor attraction; Pavilion Dance centre, at the back of the Pavilion Theatre on Westover Road. There are over 40 dance classes per week and great activities and lessons for children from the age of two upwards. For many of the lessons you can just turn up without booking.

8. Make a Splash - award winning Littledown Centre has great facilities for all the family with a large swimming pool with fun flumes for the kids, swimming lanes for the adults and a baby pool. As well as swimming there's a gym and many classes - just turn up! Under Fives swim for FREE.   While Splashdown, at Tower Park in Poole has 1 km of flumes, slides and tyre rides, a kid's fun pool, sunbathing terraces and a family river ride.Get ready for Red River Roller, Tennessee Twister, Spacebowl or for more calm the enjoy the Relaxation Zone.

9. Feeling sporty? Have a game of tennis on our all weather outdoor courts set in the beautiful Bournemouth Upper Gardens. Or why not try your hand at bowling - we have many bowling greens set in exquisite landscapes and you don't have to be a member to have a go. Or hire some bikes and cycle off into the sunset!

10. LIBERTY'S OWL, RAPTOR & REPTILE CENTRE- Liberty's is home to a large collection of birds of prey - eagles, owls and vultures, along with many well known and popular reptiles - snakes, lizards and tortoises.

11. Adventure Wonderland - Dorset's number one family theme park. A full day's fun whatever the weather, combining the outside park and rides with the indoor adventure play centre, Wild Thing!  

12. DISCOVER DORSET TOURS - A Bournemouth based tour company offering a range of high quality sightseeing tours including the Dorset Attraction  and Rural Tour, the Deepest Dorset full-day tour, the Isle of Wight full-day tour, the London Express full day, and the Oxford Express full day.

13. OCEANARIUM - Explore the wonders of the deep in an unforgettable underwater adventure taking you to some of the World's most amazing waters. The Oceanarium is home to all your favourite creatures.

14. WIMBORNE MINSTER MODEL TOWN - Re-creating the historic market town of Wimborne Minster exactly as it was during the 1950s, you can get really close up and even touch the buildings, checking out every minute detail of over 100 shop window displays.

15. Catch the Land Train at any one of the twelve stops and choose your beach! We have smoking-free beaches as well as dog-free beaches for your comfort

16. Explore and discover the enchanting New Forest National Park.  94,000 acres of ancient enclosures, plains and forest glades.  Explore by car, bike, foot or horseback. 

17. Explore the ruins of Corfe Castle – one of Britain’s most majestic ruins, the castle controlled the gateway through the Purbeck Hills and had been an important stronghold since the time of William the Conqueror.

18. The area of Westbourne celebrates in the fact that the author Robert Louis Stevenson set up home on the chinetop in Westcliff Road in 1885. Here, he wrote 'Kidnapped' and 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. The house was called 'Skerryvore' and was destroyed in an air raid during the war, but the foundations have been preserved and the garden remains as a memorial to the author.

19. Explore Brownsea Island, known worldwide as the birthplace of Scouting and Guiding. Thriving natural habitats, including woodlands, heathland and lagoon; create a haven for wildlife such as the rare red squirrel and a large variety of birds and insects, making Brownsea Island a fantastic venue explore nature.

20. Go to the theatre! Bournemouth offers something for everyone in its top entertainment venues. The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion Theatre offer live entertainment across the genres of classical music, rock and pop, musicals, children's shows, comedy, ballet, ice shows and ice skating.

21. For the thrill seekers, hop on the simulator ride at the Pier Approach by Bournemouth Pier and be prepared to get thrown around!

22. Sip coffee on one of our many al fresco coffee shops in the town centre.