Best Things To Do in Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Are you looking for what to do in Bournemouth?

PLACES TO SEE

From the sandy beaches to its architectural structures, the city is not devoid of interesting places to see.

  • Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum: The museum and art gallery is located on the Eastcliff and houses the most magnificent collections of 19thCentury art and Japanese artifacts. The interior of the museum is a site in itself as it is lavishly decorated showing Victorian interests in fascinating collection. 
  • St Peter’s Church: This is one of the most acclaimed buildings in the city worth visiting. The famous author-Mary Shelly who wrote ‘Frankenstein” is buried in the churchyard together with her romantic poet husband-Percy Bysshe Shelly.
  • Bournemouth International Centre (BIC): The BIC hosts conferences and is the town’s largest music venue. It has also become the venue for a round Premier League Darts and is worth visiting when travelers are in town.
  • Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation: It was built in 1905 in what looks like the then contemporary Art Nouveau on the Moorish Revival style which used to be popular for synagogues. This is another spectacular building and worship centre in town.
  • The sandy beaches: The city is famous for its 7-mile sandy beaches and clean seas. The Pier is almost in the centre of the beach and offers a smll fair, boat trips, shops and an arcade.

THINGS TO DO

  • Moon on the Square: This is an old departmental store with outside seating offering great views of the gardens from its two floors. Guests are treated to a good selection of ales. This is a great place for visitors to be.
  • Castlepoint Shopping Centre: The shopping centre is great for all visitors’ out of town shopping needs and experience. The mall is massive and is easily accessible with public transport. Sadly there is little else to do there besides shopping.
  • Goat and Tricycle : This is the town’s original and real ale pub. It is perfectly located just off the Triangle and serves up to ten varieties of ale. It is also renowned for its good food and big crowds.

Below we have a list of things to do in Bournemouth and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Bournemouth getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Bournemouth with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Bournemouth

Here is the list of things to do in Bournemouth and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Bournemouth Beach

    4.4 (343 Votes)
    Bournemouth Beach

    Outdoors, Beach, Entertainment, Leisure

    Every beach of Bournemouth has its own beauty. Among them, Bournemouth beach doesn’t stand different. Yet it has some kind of uniqueness that manages to attract visitors from all over the world. Stretching from Hengistbury Head to Poole, this beautiful beach is covered with golden sand making the blue shoreline more prominent from a distance. The best part of this beach is it is a dog-fri...Read more
  2. Oceanarium- The Bournemouth Aquarium

    Outdoors, Aquarium, Entertainment

    A beautiful aquarium that takes you into a mysterious underwater world through a spectacular journey! This beautiful aquarium houses some awesome marine creatures like sharks, rare green sea turtles, piranhas, brightly colored clownfish, amazing octopus and poisonous lionfish. Discover these amazing underwater creatures and experience the world’s first virtual interactive Dive cage trip w...Read more
  3. Hengistbury Head

    5 (229 Votes)
    Hengistbury Head

    Outdoors, Beach, Trail, Wildlife Sanctuary

    Magnificent! That’s the first word you will say when you visit Hengistbury Head. This site is often referred as the historic headland of Bournemouth and is also considered as an important site in terms of archeology. It lies between Bournemouth and Mudeford and extends out to the English Channel. According to many travel portals, this headland is considered as a prominent site for explori...Read more
  4. Russell-cotes Art Gallery And Museum

    Art Gallery, Architecture , Exhibition

    Visit the East Cliff Hall, the private residence of extensive travelers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife, Lady Annie. It is said to be one of the last Victorian Houses to be built in England. Its architectural design was done by John Frederick Fogerty. The house was designed as a private home where Merton and Annie could live in their own style and house their exclusive collections collect...Read more
  5. Bournemouth Lower, Central And Upper Gardens

    Outdoors, Garden, Nature

    Has been Green Flag winners since 1999, these award winning gardens are one of the great places to visit in Bournemouth. It is a place where you can sit and relax to enjoy the pleasant weather of Bournemouth or take a stroll among the beautiful features of the nature. Stretching from the Pier Approach to the borough boundary with Poole at Branksome Wood Road, this beautiful 3 kilometer long gar...Read more
  6. Bournemouth Pier

    4.3 (301 Votes)
    Bournemouth Pier

    Outdoors, View Point, Walking Area, Pier

    This 100meter long pier is said to be the first pier of Bournemouth, built between 1855 and 1856 by Samuel Ingram. At first, the pier was constructed with wood. However, it was damaged because of storms. Later in 1861, the pier was reconstructed with timber wood. Again, due to frequent attacks of the storm and woodboring beetle, the pier got weakend and had to be closed down. By this time, Bour...Read more
  7. Bournemouth Square

    Garden, Cafe, Restaurant, Entertainment

    Located right at the center of the city, this public square is just a stone’s throw away from the golden beaches of the city, Victorian Gardens and some other popular attractions of the city. The square is a popular spot not only for the locals but also for the tourists alike, as you will find a wide variety of shops, independent retailers, restaurants, cafes, theatres and cinemas as well...Read more
  8. Rock Reef

    4.4 (182 Votes)
    Rock Reef

    Outdoors, Entertainment, Adventure

    Looking for a place to get the perfect adrenaline rush? Look no further- come to the Rock Reef. It is one of the new attractions of Bournemouth that brings both indoor and outdoor activities together. It is a place where you get to experience fun, exercise, adventure and challenging activities. Its activities are categorized under four names, Clip n Climb, The Pier cave, Highline and the PierZi...Read more
  9. Boscombe Arts Trail

    Outdoors, Walking Area, Shopping Center

    It is a free walk zone that runs from the shopping center in Boscombe till the Sea Road and ends at Boscombe Pier. Stroll along the trail and you will come across unique artworks installed along the lane, ranging from 3 meter high octopus helmet to a large marble captured by a park bench. The displayed artworks reflect innovative ideas of the local residents of Sea Road and Undercliff that were...Read more
  10. Bournemouth Aviation Center

    4.5 (153 Votes)
    Bournemouth Aviation Center

    Museum, Exhibition , Specialty Shop, Specialty Museum

    Nestled adjacent to the Bournemouth airport, this beautiful museum gives you an insight of the aviation field of Bournemouth. Visit this brilliant museum to get hands-on experience through various interactive programs where you get an inside view of the local aviation heritage. In these programs, you get to sit in the actual aircraft cockpits and also get a close view of the famous English Elec...Read more
  11. O2 Academy Bournemouth

    4.2 (194 Votes)
    O2 Academy Bournemouth

    Entertainment, Performance, Play, Nightclub

    It is the only live music venue in Bournemouth, Dorset and has been listedamong the Grade-II buildings of England. After it was opened in 1895, the first name that was given to this venue was Boscombe Grand Theatre. By 1902, it was turned into a music hall and another name was given called Boscombe Hippodrome. By the time 60’s age started, this music venue became a popular platform where ...Read more
  12. Westbourne

    Outdoors, Cafe, Restaurant, Entertainment

    If you are a shopaholic, Westbourne is your destination. A suburban region of Bournemouth located between Branksome, Poole and the center of the city, the region is filled with many shops, salons, cafes and restaurants. The region offers a unique experience to those shoppers who are a die-hard fan of fake copies of high street fashion. Hence, if your pocket doesn’t let you buy one of the ...Read more
  13. St Peter's Church

    Church, Religious Site

    Built between 1844 and 1879 and designed by the architect G.E Street, this church is said to be the oldest Church of England parish. Located right in the heart of the city, the church is listed under Grade I building. Step inside the church to see the interior which has a fine blend of brilliant Gothic Revival architectural work and artwork of some of the famous artists like NinianComper, Arthu...Read more
  14. The Coastal Activity Park

    4.2 (186 Votes)
    The Coastal Activity Park

    Outdoors, Beach, Park, Entertainment

    Looking for a destination to enjoy the sizzling summer? Look no further- just head off to the Coastal Activity Park at Bournemouth. Lined up with more than 30 activities and different fitness programs, the park is waiting for you. Come and let your worries fly away within a fraction of seconds. Pick any guided lessons in games or go for snorkeling or book the court to enjoy a table tennis match...Read more
  15. Westover Gallery

    4.7 (160 Votes)
    Westover Gallery

    Art Gallery, Museum, Exhibition

    Visit one of the South West’s most successful independent galleries featuring some of the best arts and sculptures done by local, national and international artists. You also get to see beautiful glassware work, bespoke framing and Swarovski Implexions. Grab a complimentary coffee offered by the museum authorities and start exploring all the three floors of the museum where you will see e...Read more