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Bournemouth Activities

If you’re a ball of energy with an insatiable appetite for adventure, we’ve got an endless variety of activities to keep you on the move. Whether you follow a strict health and fitness regime or prefer to build your mental stamina through regular wellness and pampering sessions, Bournemouth has activities in the great outdoors and places to relax in luxurious surroundings.

We’ve listed some of our favourite Bournemouth activities to inspire you…

Walking & Hiking

Since Victorian times, people have come to Bournemouth for the sea air and pine-scented walks. These days, you can still take a leisurely 19th century stroll or choose a more energetic adventure. The resort is criss-crossed with routes through our grade II listed gardens, spacious golf courses, sandy beaches and sweeping coastline. If you’re an intrepid explorer, you can chart a course out into the surrounding countryside – there are some spectacular, long walks through the New Forest and along the Jurassic coast. Best of all, walking doesn’t cost a penny so it’s a great, low cost day out for all the family.

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Do you love tough uphill climbs or exhilarating downhill rides? Speed racing through the countryside with a group of mates? Or freewheeling along flat routes with the family? We’ve got cycle rides for every age and ability, from the promenade along the water’s edge to more challenging adventures out in the surrounding hills. There are lots of places to hire bikes if you don’t have your own, making Bournemouth the perfect setting for fun on two wheels.

Fishing

With miles of coast on our doorstep, keen fishers are spoilt for choice in Bournemouth. It’s one of the country’s best spots for sea fishing, whether you’re in the tranquil surroundings of a nature reserve or at the end of one of our historic piers. The beaches themselves offer the perfect spot to catch a variety of fish and there are tackle and bait shops dotted along the coast.

Climbing

There are lots of indoor climbing walls in Bournemouth itself so you can learn the ropes, improve your skills or drop the kids off for an active afternoon. Or why not head out into the surrounding coast and countryside where you’ll find outdoor experiences with professional tutors?

Backpacking

With a huge selection of low cost hotels, B&Bs and hostels, Bournemouth is a great place for you to start an adventure, recuperate from your journey or stop over on a sightseeing expedition. You can enjoy bracing walks along the coast or out into the countryside and our transport networks are excellent so it’s easy to get to historic towns and cities.

Health & Spa

As one of the first spa towns in England back in the 1800s, people travelled to Bournemouth for its clean air and health benefits. Today, many of the big hotels run spa packages and you can find almost every treatment imaginable in the resort. You can also team your spa day with an evening meal, afternoon tea or glass of bubbly. With miles of golden sand and our warm micro-climate, Bournemouth makes an impressive backdrop for your wellness break by the sea.

Wildlife & Bird Watching

Bournemouth is home to a huge variety of natural habitats from expansive nature reserves and a tropical paradise to miles of rugged coastline and sandy beaches. So, there are tons of places to pitch up and look down to the ground or up to the skies. If you're lucky, you'll spot some of the rare species that have made their home here and ornithologists regularly hail Bournemouth and neighbouring Poole as the ideal environment for bird watching and there are museums and visitor centres where you can find out more.

Adventure & Outdoor

From archery and high wire climbing to a water-based obstacle course and paddle boarding, there are loads of outdoor adventures on offer in Bournemouth. Whether you’re organising a children’s party or looking for a fun way to spend a weekend with friends, you’ll find plenty of high energy experiences to make sure that you have a day full of fun and laughter.

Spa Daying in Bournemouth...

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Discover Dorset Tours

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City Sightseeing Bournemouth

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Discover Dorset Tours

Bournemouth

We are a Bournemouth based tour company offering a range of high quality sightseeing tours across Dorset, Hampshire and neighbouring counties.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
426 reviews
City Sightseeing Bournemouth

Bournemouth

City Sightseeing Bournemouth is a fantastic way for visitors to get their bearings in the area, experience our beautiful, dramatic coastline whilst learning some fascinating facts about this spectacular part of the South Coast via open top bus.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
111 reviews
Bournemouth Gardens Tree Trail

Bournemouth

Learn how to recognise your trees with this gardens trail. It takes approximately two hours and identifies 12 types of tree including Redwood, Cypress and Palm, and is totally free!
Centre VR

Bournemouth

Centre VR brings the wonder of virtual reality to life, with some of the most amazing and fun immersive experiences around!
Musical Trail at Boscombe Pier

Bournemouth

The Musical Trail on Boscombe Pier. Have a stroll, watch the waves and make some music.
Snowtrax

Hurn, Christchurch

A dry ski slope with fully licensed bar and restaurant and Alpine adventure playpark. Fully equipped ski and snowboard shop with hire facilities.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
261 reviews
Beryl

Bournemouth and Poole

Beryl Bike Share is now available in Bournemouth and Poole. You can hire the bikes and get riding instantly by using the Beryl App available on the Google and iOS app stores.
morebus

Poole

Morebus is the name for quality bus services in and around Bournemouth & Poole, Purbeck, Salisbury and the New Forest.
Front Bike Hire

Bournemouth

Front Bike Hire on Bournemouth seafront is located 200 metres east of Bournemouth pier. With miles of beach promenade to explore in both directions.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
26 reviews
Table Tennis at Boscombe Beach

Bournemouth

Free Table Tennis on Boscombe beach. Two tables are available free of charge for public use so come down and enjoy the fresh air while battling friends and family
Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf

Bournemouth

Three courses, spread across two levels, will capture the imagination of all individuals, as you dodge eye catching obstacles, play additional games and keep an eye on the live scoreboards following you around the course.
All Fired Up Ceramics Cafe

Bournemouth

Our ceramics café is the perfect place for friends to meet, for families to enjoy time together and for everyone to be creative. Come in and paint one of the many pieces of pottery on offer. Be tempted by our freshly made sandwiches and paninis,…
Jetski Safaris

Lilliput, Poole

A guided Safari to explore Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world as well as parts of the spectacular Jurassic coastline from Bournemouth to Swanage!

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
241 reviews
Laser Quest

Bournemouth

Whether you're 6 or 66 you’ll love the adrenaline pumping exhilarating of stalking your opponents and unleashing a volley of Laser Fire in the Battle-Zone of the next Century!

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270 reviews
Greenslade Pleasure Boats

Poole

Board a Greenslade boat & see the wonderful Poole Harbour, take a trip up the Wareham river or visit Brownsea Island.

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77 reviews
Condor Ferries

Poole

If you're looking for a day out with a difference that's really great value, join us on one of our high speed journeys to Guernsey.
Swingball at Boscombe Beach

Bournemouth

Boscombe Beach is proud to offer Swingball to all visitors and their families. Set just above the sands with a wonderful view of Boscombe beach below, play and have fun in this wonderful location.
Open all year round. Free to use but a deposit is…
Bouldering at Boscombe Beach

Bournemouth

Come and scale the boulders, increase your fitness and have fun.

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