Sports & Leisure

With AFC Bournemouth in the championship, the resort is already full of sporting heroes, and our beautiful surroundings make it the ideal place to take a sporting holiday or to try something new. Whatever level you’re at – from beginner to pro – there are schools, parks, and centres around the resort where you can hone your skills or compete against others.

Leisure Centres

Bournemouth prides itself on having an active population, and visitors often head here in search of adventure, so we’ve got a selection of leisure centres and gyms servicing the resort. Close to the centre of the town, you’ll even find water slides and high-wire experiences that are aimed at holidaymakers.

Golf

We’ve got acres of golf courses set in lush, green parkland, including pay & play options. If you prefer your putting on a smaller scale, there’s mini golf in the Lower Gardens.

Bowls

Bournemouth has 12 bowling greens available for public play, so you can enjoy another traditional British pastime with spectacular sea views.

Swimming

With our sandy beaches and calm blue seas, Bournemouth is the perfect place for open water swimming and boasts some of the cleanest bathing waters in the country. But if you find it a bit chilly, there are swimming pools with water slides in the surrounding areas. There’s even one that caters especially to visitors.

Football

With 2000 acres of parks and gardens, there’s plenty of green space for a kickabout with your mates, or for a seaside twist on the beautiful game, you can even play on the beach! There are always matches taking place around the resort, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a game at the Cherries’ (AFC Bournemouth) home ground, the Vitality Stadium.

Rugby

There are several rugby clubs in Bournemouth, so you can relax on holiday as a spectator or enjoy a fun game with friends in one of our many parks. Bournemouth also hosts events throughout the year, including a 7s festival at the start of the summer, which brings hundreds of teams from around the UK to the resort.

Tennis

There are tennis courts in parks and gardens around the resort and floodlit outdoor courts in the Central Gardens – perfect for a summer knock-up at the seaside.

Beach Sports

Beach sports are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and, with so much sand in Bournemouth, we’re leading the charge. We’ve got courts for volleyball and football, as well as bouldering and slacklining, next to Boscombe Pier. We’ve also got a 16-station gym trail, so you can sweat it out while soaking up the sea views.

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.