Inside the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Bournemouth Lower Gardens
Bournemouth International Centre

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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, mini 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 in warm weather as well as in the rain. We have indoor climbing and high wires, as well as museums and galleries, meaning you’ll be able to have a great time whatever the weather.

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 – mini 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 by 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 paths. The Land Train also runs along the promenade towards Boscombe and westwards to Alum Chine.

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.

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Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts

Poole

Experience, explore, discover and join in with the arts at Lighthouse, Poole, the largest regional arts centre in the UK.
Lemur Landings

Poole

Multi award-winning children’s entertainment centre, Lemur Landings is one of the biggest and best play centres in Dorset
Land Train

Bournemouth

Jump aboard one of our famous land trains, sit back and enjoy the seafront scenery as we sweep you along the Promenade.
Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre

Bournemouth

Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Stour Valley Nature Reserve. It is run in partnership between BCP Council and the Bournemouth Parks Foundation.
We recommend stopping in before you head out down to the river. This true…
Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe, Christchurch

Highcliffe Castle is a Grade 1 listed building situated on the cliff top overlooking Christchurch Bay.
Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

Bournemouth

A day at Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve is truly a great day out, even outside of the summer. It is still full of wildlife, rare plants, and of course, the thousands of years of important archaeological history.
Hengistbury Head Beach

Christchurch, Bournemouth

Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt beach, consistently featuring in the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice® awards for Beaches. It has a south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs, and soft, sandy beaches at…
Hengistbury Head

Bournemouth

Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs.
Great Dorset Steam Fair

Blandford

GDSF 2021 POSTPONED UNTIL 2022. 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!
Go Ape Moors Valley

Ashley Heath

Located 10 miles north of Bournemouth and 5 miles west of Ringwood, you can find us in Moors Valley Country Park. We're just off Horton Road - near to Ashley Heath and the New Forest. Go Ape Moors Valley hosts five action-packed adventures. Explore…
Fisherman's Walk Cliff Lift

Bournemouth

The Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Lift was built in 1935.
Fisherman's Walk Beach

Bournemouth

Fisherman's walk beach is arguably the best of a fine set of beaches that collectively make up the Bournemouth beaches
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Poole

Fun for the whole family!
Durley Chine Beach

Bournemouth

Durley Chine Beach is one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy and shingle beaches.
Dog Friendly Zones

Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole

Here in Bournemouth, we love to see dogs enjoying our spectacular stretch of coastline, whether getting plenty of fresh air on a clifftop walk or playing at the water’s edge in our designated dog zones. Here’s some information about where your…
Conker

Bournemouth

We’d love for you to join us for a tour of our Distillery in Bournemouth, home of the Dorset Dry Gin and Conker Coffee Liqueur. Hear first-hand our journey from bootstrapped start-up to one of the UK’s leading craft distilleries bringing the…
Compton Acres

Poole

Enjoy over 10 acres of horticultural heaven with spectacular themed gardens, relax in the charming Café, browse creative gifts or delve into the exciting world of plants within the Plant Centre, there's a surprise at every turn.
Branksome Dene Room

Poole

Nestled on Poole’s picturesque, gloriously photogenic coastline, sits one of the most unique function spaces in the United Kingdom.

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