As a group organiser, please contact accommodation, attraction/activity and eating out establishments directly before you make any plans and before you travel to check on their individual policies with respect to new and changing procedures. It’s best to Know Before You Go.
If you are looking for trips in 2020, some businesses may still not be operating and those that are may have reduced facilities running on revised days and opening hours. You will need to purchase tickets online in advance for many of the attractions and activities.
Visit our What’s Open page for the most up to date information.
Bournemouth offers a superb range of attractions, activities, festivals and events all year round. Explore new places with your group, visit your favourite attractions or try something new.
Here’s just a few ideas of places to visit in Bournemouth. You can contact the attractions directly to book a visit in advance, find out about group rates and get further information to make the most of your visit.
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum on the East Cliff is one of the most fascinating historic houses in England with beautiful sea views, a café, shop and changing exhibitions. It was the home of two Victorian collectors and travel enthusiasts, Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes. The Russell-Cotes welcomes group visits, offering a range of talks, tours and workshops. You can contact them in advance on 01202 451858, please visit their website for further details.
Bournemouth’s Land Trains & Cliff Lifts
** Please note our cliff lifts and land train are currently closed until further notice**
Explore the seafront in many different ways... jump aboard our famous land trains which run along the promenade eastwards towards Boscombe and westwards towards Alum Chine, or from Boscombe to Bournemouth Pier via the East Overcliff for spectacular views of the bay.
Hop on a cliff lift (April to October) on the West Cliff or at Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne, taking you from the prom to the clifftop for a bird’s-eye view.
For more information please call the Tourist Information Centre on 01202 451781.
Historic Piers
There’s lots to see and do on our historic seaside piers. You can enjoy a stroll along Bournemouth Pier with information panels taking you through the history of the resort. Visit RockReef Indoor Activity Attraction on Bournemouth Pier an all weather attraction based on adventure sports and includes 28 Clip 'n' Climb fun, themed indoor climbing walls. Other activities include a Vertical drop slide, a ‘Leap of Faith’ jumping challenge, a HighLine high ropes aerial obstacle course and the Pier Cave. Outside is the PierZip the world's world’s first pier to shore zip wire, boasting a 250 metre dual zip line.
At the entrance to the pier, you’ll find a family entertainment centre - Pier Amusements with a wide range of machines and activities for all ages.
At Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf discover Bournemouth's past as you smuggle your ball around 18 holes of pure adventure golf. Play past "treacherous rocks and through church ruins but mind the water!" Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf is based on the seafront at Pier Approach and welcomes groups & parties. Whether you're planning a children’s party, organising a group golf get-together or looking to hire the entire course for a staff training day, let them know and they will work with you to make it a day that you won’t forget.
Make time to enjoy a leisurely mile and half walk from Pier Approach along the promenade to Boscombe Pier and enjoy a seaside stroll taking in the beautiful coastal views.
Gardens by the Sea
Explore by foot Bournemouth's beautiful Grade 11 listed Victorian Gardens. The Lower Gardens are renowned for their floral bedding displays and home to a number of attractions: The Pine Walk Art Exhibition, an aviary, the bandstand, mini golf and an ornamental rockery. The gardens also host a variety of great festivals and events. Visit here for further information on Bournemouth's Festivals & Events. The Central Gardens located by the town centre are home to tennis courts, a children's playground and start of the Tree Trail Walk. The Upper Gardens offer a tranquil setting with nature trails and pretty red bridges dotted over the Bourne Stream.
Group Attractions on our doorstep
City Cruises Poole
Compton Acres
Condor Ferries
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
Greenslades Pleasure Boats
Highcliffe Castle
Monkey World -Ape Rescue Centre
Poole Museum
RNLI College
Swanage Railway
Entertainment, activities & much more...
The beauty of the area and abundance of outdoor activities makes Bournemouth an ideal choice for a group visit. From fantastic cycling and walking routes, beautiful golf courses, a coast with endless watersports opportunities and hotels that welcome special interest groups, Bournemouth is a perfect destination for your group holiday.
CitySightseeing Bournemouth offers open top double decker bus tours of Poole Bay and the Sandbanks peninsular. Departing from Bournemouth Pier and Poole Quay from Saturday 4th April up to and including Sunday 27th of September 2020. The tour will take you to all the main sights with fine views across Poole Bay and Poole Harbour along the way.
Bournemouth offers a host of fantastic entertainment, festivals and events with excellent hospitality and service to help keep you and your group happy and entertained all year round. Find out what's happening, come and experience something new or just relax and B-entertained. Visit here and discover how much is going on!
Make a trip to Poole Hill Brewery - Southbourne Ales. This Victorian themed brewery and taproom was voted Dorset's best brewer in 2018. The taproom and visitors centre are open daily with brewery tours, live music and multi award winning ales.
The Bournemouth International Centre, near Bournemouth Pier and the beautiful vintage art deco Pavilion Theatre on Westover Road offers excellent performances and events all year round; from international pop and rock acts to dance performances, live comedy, West End musicals and touring shows. For more information, go to: bhlivetickets.co.uk, or call their Group Booking Line (10+ persons) 01202 055561 or email groupsales@bhlive.org.uk.
Pavilion Dance South West overlooking the Lower Gardens presents a year round programme of innovative and inspiring dance performances, live ballet screenings and arts exhibitions in an intimate, state-of-the-art, 200-seat theatre and gallery space.
For further information on things to see and do please click here. Visit our Group Itineraries page for ideas and inspiration.
For a full listing of festivals and events, please click here. Please note all events are subject to change.
