Winter in Bournemouth

Looking for a winter break by the sea? Bournemouth is a fantastic holiday destination and we can offer you lots of exciting things to see and do. Our seven miles of beaches offer beautiful winter walks along the shoreline. Up on the cliff tops, you can take in the views of the Jurassic coastline and the Isle of Wight. There are so many fabulous attractions and activities to choose from, both indoors and outdoors, not to mention the magic of our Christmas in Bournemouth.  If you've visited wonderland before, there are plenty of new lights and feature trees to find as part of this year's trail.

Winter Activities

There are lots of exciting, exhilarating, and fascinating things to see and do during the winter months, whether you’re with friends, family, young children, on a romantic getaway, or traveling solo, you won’t be short of options in Bournemouth and the surrounding area.

Picture yourself taking a winter walk wrapped up in your favourite hat and gloves along our beautiful shoreline or discovering our beautiful gardens, parks, and nature reserves which offer tranquil walks with wildlife wonders. On our doorstep are the enchanting New Forest and Jurassic Coastline with miles of walking and wildlife opportunities for all to discover.  

Our local eating out establishments range from family-run restaurants to international food chains and locally run cafes to bars, all offering a well-deserved break to enjoy local produce and varied menus from vegan and vegetarian to beautiful seafood dishes and, of course, not forgetting a delightful Dorset Cream Tea by the sea.  

Enjoy the ‘blue health’ wellbeing benefits, by enjoying an active break by the sea. Pack your wetsuits or hire one from our local watersports and activities providers and enjoy a spot of paddleboarding, sailing, or kayaking along our coastline. Head to our activities pages to find out more.

For more winter inspiration, check out our 2 day Christmas break itinerary, which has been handcrafted to offer you and your loved ones an incredible festive experience.

Local Attractions

Whatever the weather, Bournemouth and the surrounding area have lots of places to explore and discover from eclectic museums and galleries, amusement arcades, two historic piers, adventure golf, a virtual reality centre, indoor climbing activities, an aquarium, and much, much more. Head to our attractions and activities pages to find out more.

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Where to stay this winter

If you’re making plans for a winter break check out our accommodation pages, from family-run bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels overlooking the coastline, to self-catering apartments and houses helping you to enjoy a winter break by the coast.  

Entertainment, Events, and Festivals

Bournemouth in the winter months is a magical time to visit and an opportunity to enjoy our winter festivities. The Pavilion Theatre and Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) offer a programme of festive entertainment from comedy nights, live music, touring West End shows to a fantastic array of concerts. If you have a passion for dance a visit to the Pavilion Dance South West is a must.

Shopping and Eating Out

Bournemouth offers lots of great shopping experiences within its town centre, along the coastline, into our coastal villages and inland to our suburbs. Bournemouth town centre has a pedestrianised high street with a mix of well-known fashion brands, high street shops, and independent retailers and boutiques. Surrounded by restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, there are plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind after a busy day. Our vibrant town centre, with Victorian to modern-day architecture, is surrounded by beautiful award-winning gardens and is just a short walk from the beach. Our coastal villages of Southbourne, Boscombe, and Westbourne offer a superb choice of independent restaurants, shops, boutiques, and much more and are not to be missed.

Fresh seafood, local produce, fish ‘n’ chips, international cuisine, traditional cream teas; no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Bournemouth. We’ve got award-winning restaurants, beachfront cafes, and hotels, family eateries, independent restaurants, and tearooms, specialist chefs, as well as larger international chain restaurants along our beautiful coastline.    

Bournemouth by day and by night… enjoy laid-back lounges, sophisticated cocktails bars, live music venues, and nightclubs that will keep you entertained. During the festive season, (from 14 November 2024) enjoy the additional thrills of the Alpine Lodge bar in the Square and and Moguls adjacent to the outdoor 'Skate' rink in the gardens, alongside the Bournemouth Christmas market.

During the winter months and especially during the Christmas Festivities there are lots of local entertainment, attractions, and activity providers that will have themed and special events for all the family, check out our What’s On pages for more information.