Things to Do in Bournemouth

Things to do, whatever the weather

There are a variety of attractions and activities to suit all ages, budgets and weather. To help you plan your break, here are some of our suggestions of things to do on sunny and fine days, on a cloudy day and on a rainy day.

You can check out the '100 Great Things to do & Sea' Guide 2010/11 here or order your FREE copy by emailing info@bournemouth.gov.uk or call 0845 051 1700.

Here are our 10 "must do" things in Bournemouth!

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 your 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! Europe's first artificial surf reef - 'Boscombe Surf Reef' is now launched and surfers from around the Globe are coming to try it out.

7. Pack a picnic - indulge your nostalgic side while in Bournemouth and set off for a good old-fashioned picnic. We've picked five of the best picnic spots for you to try out.

8. Go swimming - 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!

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! Try Yoga on the Beach near to Boscombe Pier, every Tues, Weds and Thurs evening  6 -7pm and weekdays 7 - 8am.

10. 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.

To order a copy of the 100 Great Things To Do and Sea Guide please contact Bournemouth Tourism on 0845 051 1700 or email info@bournemouth.gov.uk. Or use the search box on the right of this page to search for things to do.

You can also download this document, which outlines 104 things to do over the 52 weekends this year!

You can check out the '100 Great Things to do & Sea' Guide 2010/11 here or order your FREE copy by emailing info@bournemouth.gov.uk or call 0845 051 1700.