From wonderful beaches to beautiful local gardens, Coast and Country Hotels have tracked down ten of the best things to see and do in Bournemouth. If you’re looking for fun, exciting activities to add to your itinerary, be sure to give these ones a try.
1. Explore Bournemouth Pier
Bournemouth Pier extends into the ocean in the middle of Bournemouth’s fantastic seven-mile beach. The pier offers incredible views of the bay, with travellers able to see all the way to the Isle of Wight on a clear day.
The pier is also home to a wide variety of retail stores, making it a great place for a quick shopping trip while you appreciate the scenery.
2. Visit the Bournemouth Oceanarium
See the South Coast’s interest aquatic life, up close and personal. The Bournemouth Oceanarium takes you under the water to learn about some of the region’s sea life, its major predators, and interest species from as far away as Africa, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific.
- 3. Shop for designer or vintage clothing
Bournemouth is a great destination for retail addicts, with the numerous boutiques of the city centre sure to keep passionate shoppers occupied. The Boscombe area is a great place to stock up on antiques and vintage clothing, while Westbourne is the city’s capital of designer clothing.
4. Dine out at fantastic local restaurants
Thanks to its popularity as a resort destination, Bournemouth is home to hundreds of great international restaurants. Enjoy wonderful food from all over the world in Bournemouth’s great international restaurants, or stop by a local chippy for a great bite to eat beside the sea.
5. Visit the beautiful Central Gardens
Bournemouth’s beautiful Central Gardens are a great place to relax, enjoy a book, and soak in the destination’s year-round warm weather. Developed in the 1870s, Bournemouth’s Central Gardens are now home to tennis courts, playgrounds, and one of the country’s best Rhododendron Walks.
6. Relax on seven miles of beaches
Known around the country for its fantastic beaches, Bournemouth is one of the UK’s top beach resorts. Pack your swimming trunks and drop in during summer to enjoy one of the UK’s best beaches, which covers over seven miles of beautiful coastline.
7. Enjoy great views from the Bournemouth Balloon
Experience Bournemouth from the air aboard the Bournemouth Balloon. This giant tethered balloon lets you soar into the air above Bournemouth to enjoy the view as it’s meant to be enjoyed.
8. Visit the New Forest National Park
Just 30 minutes from the centre of Bournemouth, the New Forest National Park is home to some of the UK’s finest scenery. As one of the few expanses of untouched forest in the South East, the New Forest National Park is a stunning place to visit.
9. Explore the incredible Corfe Castle
Located on the Isle of Purbeck – which, amazingly, isn’t really an island – is Corfe Castle. This remarkable attraction was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, and was updated during the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, the castle is popular with visiting history gurus, with over 190,000 people visiting every year.
10. Enjoy a quiet drink or fun night out
Bournemouth is home to hundreds of bars and clubs, making it one of the UK’s best coastal nightlife destinations. No matter what you had in mind for your evening, you’ll have no trouble finding it in Bournemouth.