To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.

Fantastic Attractions to enjoy

You are here: Things to Do > Attractions

Attractions in and around Bournemouth

We’ve got indoor and outdoor places for you to visit with friends or family while you’re in Bournemouth. It doesn’t matter what you’re into or what the weather’s doing – there are museums, galleries, amusement arcades, crazy golf, play parks, an oceanarium and more. Read on for ideas of things we think you’ll enjoy...

All Year Round

Here in Bournemouth, we’re blessed with a warm microclimate but we can’t guarantee it for all 365 days of the year. So, many of our attractions are designed to be enjoyed whatever the weather. We have indoor climbing and high wires, as well as museums and galleries meaning you’ll be able to stay dry and still have a great time.

Family Fun

What could be more family friendly than a huge, sandy beach? Well, we’ve got one of those, as well as other seaside favourites – crazy golf, amusement arcades and an oceanarium. You can also bring tiny tots to play in the water feature on the seafront or take your ‘big kids’ down the zipwire on the pier!

Group Friendly

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or indulging in a shared passion, your group will feel at home in Bournemouth. You’ll be able to get group bookings and offers at lots of our attractions.

Beaches

Buckets and spades at the ready – we’ve got seven miles of sandy beaches for you! Surrounded by majestic cliffs, our beaches bask in their very own microclimate while some of the warmest seas in the UK lap onto the shore. You can hire deckchairs and sun loungers, as well as everything you need to play beach sports. Or, you can make your own fun building sandcastles and paddling in the shallow waters.

For ease of access to the beach, Cliff Lifts are situated at West Cliff and Fisherman’s Walk, along side zigzag path ways and the Land Train also runs along the promenade towards Boscombe and westwards to Branksome Chine.

Click here to view our beaches guide

Aquariums

Bournemouth’s right next to the sea so it’s no surprise that we’ve got an oceanarium. Complete with penguin enclosure, you can find out about all aspects of marine life in this popular, family friendly aquarium.

History & Culture

Bournemouth has a rich history centred around literary inspiration and the medicinal benefits of the sea air. With its very own museum house and a variety of galleries and performance spaces showcasing a growing portfolio of high quality art, there’s plenty for the culturally curious to explore.

Religious Landmarks

Bournemouth is home to a number of churches and religious centres in a variety of architectural styles, many of them home to points of interest including the resting place of Mary Shelley in one of our town centre cemeteries.

Museums & Galleries

Bournemouth’s famous universities and renown for digital industries have made it a natural home for art and culture. Exhibitions are held throughout the year in its world class venues and there are museums to help you uncover the past, including a clifftop treasure trove!

Parks & Gardens

We’ve got an enormous 2,000 acres of parks and gardens here in Bournemouth! The gardens in our town centre are grade II listed and date back to the Victorian era. There are plenty of golf courses and other green spaces. Dotted along the coast you’ll also find a tropical paradise and nature reserve.

Looking for accommodation in Bournemouth… a perfect place to stay by the sea…

Bournemouth is well known for its great variety of hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self catering options situated along our stunning coastline. You’ll find luxury international hotel groups, national chains, beautiful boutique hotels, independent and family friendly hotels and guest houses, budget friendly hotels, a great choice of self catering options and caravan and camping parks along our neighbouring coastline and countryside.

Searching For...

What's On
Things To Do
Accommodation
Food & Drink

Things to Do

Accommodation

Food & Drink

What's On

Things to Do

Accommodation

Food & Drink

Number of results:

Number of results: 82

, currently showing 1 to 18.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Peppa Pig World at Paultons Family Theme Park

The New Forest

A world first and UK exclusive, Peppa Pig World is an amazing land that lets youngsters discover Peppa’s World in nearly 3 acres of fully themed fun! Paultons Park is the action-packed theme park for families which has more than 70 wonderful rides…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
7616 reviews
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre

Wareham

Come to visit the location of the TV show Monkey Life! Monkey World assists governments around the world to stop the smuggling of primates from the wild.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
5560 reviews
Poole Stadium Greyhound Racing

Poole

Let's Go Racing... A great night out for all the family, enjoy your evening & cheer your winners past the post.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
250 reviews
Adventure Wonderland

Christchurch

Dorset’s multi award-winning family theme park, Adventure Wonderland, with its great range of rides and attractions is the perfect spot for an unforgettable day out.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
864 reviews
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Poole

Farmer Palmer’s is the fabulous Farm Park where young adventurers can frankly ‘let their hair down’ without older children around to stifle their enjoyment!

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1169 reviews
Pier Amusements

Bournemouth

A wide range of entertainment machines and all of the most up-to-date videos and prizes.
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf

Bournemouth

Prepare to be transported to Bournemouth town as it lay in the 1700’s with its sights, smells and smugglers…
Great Dorset Steam Fair

Blandford

If you are looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out for all the family, you’ll love the Great Dorset Steam Fair!
British Beach Polo Championship Sandbanks

Poole

The British Beach Polo Championships returns to Dorset on 12-13 July 2019. With up to 10,000 people in attendance, it is the biggest beach polo event in the world
Bournemouth Central Gardens

Bournemouth

The Central Gardens extend from the town centre to Coy Pond. They are now the home of the tennis courts, a children’s playground and a war memorial with beautiful rose borders, a Rhododendron Walk and heather beds.
Stour Valley Nature Reserve

Muscliffe Lane, Bournemouth

This idyllic riverside Reserve forms part of the Stour Valley Way and provides a wall following a 2 mile stretch of the river Stour. It is perfect for walking, relaxing or exercising in the fresh air.
Wimborne Model Town and Gardens

Wimborne Minster

Charming, faithful 1/10th scale recreation of 1950s Wimborne, a delightful historic market town, set in beautiful award-winning gardens. Tearooms and gift shop.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
239 reviews
The Tank Museum

Wareham

The Tank Museum in Bovington brings history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4206 reviews
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

Verwood

The Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park is a multi-award-winning attraction attraction located in the heart of Dorset. Recognised as both a family attraction and conservation centre for the rare breed Heavy Horses.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1269 reviews
Swanage Railway

Swanage

What’s better than a leisurely trip behind an historic steam engine through an area of natural beauty.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2840 reviews
The Dinosaur Museum

Dorchester

Fossils, skeletons, life-size dinosaur reconstructions and plenty more.
Marwell Zoo

Winchester

Marwell’s 140-acre park is home to an incredible range of exotic and endangered species, in beautiful, landscaped surroundings. Just by visiting Marwell Zoo (owned and operated by conservation charity, Marwell Wildlife) you'll be making a big…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2779 reviews
Branksome Dene Room

Poole

Welcome to one of the south coast’s most picturesque function spaces.
Perfectly positioned on Poole’s spectacular coastline, the Branksome Dene Room is housed in a 1920s Art Deco pavilion-style chalet overlooking the sweeping bay. With…

Ratings & Reviews

Destination Awards
What's On Events, Festivals, Exhibitions, Submit Event ,	Accommodation Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Self Catering, Caravan & Holiday Parks, Camping & Glamping, Group Friendly,	Food & Drink Restaurants, Pubs & Bars, Cafes & Delis, Food & Drink Experiences, Vegetarian & Vegan, Search By Cuisine ,
Ideas & Inspiration Itineraries, Short Breaks, Weddings, LGBT, International Education, Competitions, Bournemouth Blog, News,	Explore Awards, Gallery, Towns & cities, Villages, The South Coast , Countryside, History of Bournemouth,	Special Offers
Visitor Information Tourist Information Centre, Bournemouth Loves Groups, Travel Information, Sign Up for E-newsletter, Contact Us,	Business Destination Awards, Destination Management Board , About Us, Become a Partner, Advertise With Us, Bournemouth & Poole Tourism Management Board, Bournemouth Tourism Marketing Group, Bournemouth and Poole Tourism Strategy, Business Events Bournemouth,	Media
International Education	Events & Filming