Sitting on Bournemouth’s beautiful coastline are the buildings that tell the story of its transition from a small seaside resort to the bustling town it is today.

This trail takes you through Bournemouth Town Centre and its listed gardens down to the seafront, walking the routes that were so sought out by the Victorians for their health and wellbeing benefits. Stop for a cuppa at The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (a historical gem with views out to Bournemouth’s iconic pier), circle back into town spotting Art Deco features along the way, and visit Mary Shelley’s grave to discover who (and what!) is buried within.

Locations

1: Bobby's and The Square

2: Lower Gardens and bandstand

3: Bournemouth Pier

4: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

5: The Bath Hotel

6: Westover Road and the Pavilion

7: Mary Shelley’s Grave

8: The Gervis Arcade

9: The Echo building

10: The Norfolk Royale

11: BCP Civic Centre

12: Court Royal

13: Royal Exeter Hotel

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Route description and access information‍

This is a self-led walking trail that helps you explore Bournemouth Town Centre. All paths on this route are hard surface. There is an incline as you travel from Bournemouth Pier up towards East Cliff and the Russell-Cotes. Steps link the Civic Centre and the Central Gardens where the War Memorial can be seen.

Facilities and rest opportunities

There are public toilets in the Lower Gardens and at the Pier Approach. You will find many cafés, restaurants, pubs, and opportunities to sit along this trail.

Dogs

The Bournemouth Cultural Trail is dog-friendly with a mix of urban and green landscape. We advise that dogs are best kept on leads.

Download the map