Bournemouth Beaches
I'm pretty confident in saying that Bournemouth's biggest attraction has to be its long, beautiful, sandy beach. There's 10 miles of beautiful beaches to enjoy between Hengistbury Head and the mouth of Poole Harbour.
Nearest to the town centre, the main beach is very popular, offering not just the best in amusement arcades, chip shops, and ice cream stalls, but also an open area with a Big Wheel, interactive water play, cafes, crazy golf, … and a lot of seating to enjoy the sun.
Walking to the west will bring you to the famous "Sandbanks" and to the east the beaches of Southbourne, both are lovely walks with plenty of places to stop off on the way.
Bournemouth Pier
You can't beat a good old British Seaside Pier. Steeped in history this is a must see, offering an amusement arcade, bar/restaurant/club, cafe, pie shop, rock shop, the RockReef climbing centre and the awesome zip wire, there's definitely something for all tastes here.
Visit Sandbanks
Sandbanks is home to the "rich and famous". The area is known as the “most expensive seaside in the world” thanks to the high price tags of the waterfront houses! Amazing beaches, yacht clubs, cafes and of course Rick Steins fish restaurant make Sandbanks another "must see".
Bournemouth Gardens
One of the nicest things to do when in Bournemouth is to simply walk along the famous gardens. The Upper, Central, and Lower Gardens run through the centre of the town and date back to the Victorian era. Filled with flowerbeds, lawns, and trees, with a small river running through them, these Grade-II listed gardens are the perfect place for a walk.
Take a Jurassic Coast Tour
If you have a few days in Bournemouth and want to explore more of Dorset, you really should take a tour of the Jurassic Coast. It is one of the finest stretches of coastline in Europe, connecting the picturesque port town of Exmouth, East Devon, to the seaside resort of Studland Bay, Dorset. Between these two counties are a series of breathtaking beaches, coastal villages and natural rock formations well worth visiting.
Westbourne
Westbourne is a really cool “village” on the outskirts of Bournemouth. Famous for its great shopping and restaurant scene, boasting a mix of fashion boutiques, independent traders, charity shops and great food everywhere you look. Highly recommended!
Hengistbury Head
Amazing views, shady walks, tranquility, and the most expensive beach huts on the planet. You just have to visit.
Bournemouth's Entertainment Scene
Bournemouth is well known for its lively nightlife scene, offering not just bars and nightclubs but also some of the best entertainment venues around including the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and the Pavilion Theatre, offering live entertainment from children's shows and comedy to ballet and ice dancing.
Frieda's Tea Bus
Yep, you heard it right. A beautifully converted double-decker bus will take you on a tour of Bournemouth seafront whilst you relax with a yummy afternoon tea. The best sea views, a totally unique experience, and fabulous sandwiches and cakes. Book up the moment you arrive in Bournemouth!
