Bournemouth is one of the best places to visit in the UK and there are so many amazing things to do for solo travellers, groups, couples and families.
If you are planning a break to Bournemouth for the first time, whether for a day, a weekend or longer and wondering where to visit, our guide will help you have the most memorable trip possible.
Bournemouth really should be top of your list of places to go if you are looking for a relaxing beach break in the. UK. Bournemouth has some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK and there you can also find entertainment, nightlife, outdoor adventures and incredible day trips.
Although Bournemouth is the perfect summer destination in England, there are lots of activities and places to visit all year round, even when it is raining or the weather isn’t good. And most are completely free.
We focus on the main areas to check out including Bournemouth city centre, Boscombe, Southbourne, Christchurch, Sandbanks, Poole, Hengistbury Head and amazing day trips including Stutland, Swanage, Corfe Castle and the New Forest.
Now let’s get started with our list of the best things to do to make your Bournemouth & Poole trip memorable.
1. Stay Somewhere Amazing
If you plan on staying longer than a day trip then Bournemouth has so many places to stay located throughout the area. From luxury hotels, budget b&b’s and even the chance to sleep in a beach hut!
If money isn’t an issue the Hilton Hotel located in the centre is recommended whilst there are literally hundreds of hotels and guest houses throughout the area.
If you are looking for somewhere unique to stay rather than your standard hotel check out the Bournemouth Beach Lodges (as seen in the images above). Located in-between Boscombe and Southbourne, you can stay in beach hut accommodation located right on the beach.
If you are lucky and get good weather then nothing can compare to opening your do or and literally being right on the beach for sunrise.
2. Relax on Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth Beach has won numerous awards and it is easy to see why, this beach is 7 miles long and is one of the best beaches in England. If the weather is good you can spend all day just relaxing by the sea and even when the weather isn’t the best it is still relaxing to go for a walk along the seafront. There are lots of food outlets, bars and entertainment activities.
3. Go on Bournemouth Pier
Bournemouth Pier is a great place to enjoy with arcade games, a helter skelter, cafes, restaurants and a nightclub. If it is your first time here, you can’t leave without visiting the pier!
4. Zipline
A zip line has been added to the end of the of Bournemouth pier and offers an adrenaline ride to the beach over the ocean.
5. Wander Through the Bournemouth Gardens
Due to the way Bournemouth was built and developed, it is blessed with lots of trees and beautiful nature located throughout the town. The main shopping centre has a range of shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and entertainment and through the heart is the upper, central and lower gardens. These gardens are very well maintained and offer a great place to relax, people watch or go for a wander down to the seafront.
6. Ride the Big Wheel
Located close to Bournemouth pier there is a giant big wheel offering you the chance to get incredible views for miles around. No tourist trip would be complete without going on it.
7. Ride the Cliff Lift in Westbourne
Westbourne is an upmarket suburb located moments away from Bournemouth city centre. There are lots of hotels and restaurants here as well as independent fashion boutiques, thrift stores, cafes, and pubs. You can enjoy relaxing walks in its chines – dry, wooded gorges that run to the beach, passing clifftop green spaces like Argyll Gardens. If you want to do something fun then you can ride the West Cliff Lift (as seen in the image above), which has been running to the west of Bournemouth Pier since 1908.
8. Open Top Bus Tour
Keen to be a tourist and see the highlights of the area? Book an open top bus tour which stops at all the main tourist hotspots including Bournemouth centre, Boscombe beach, Sandbanks, Studland and Swanage. Several operators provide different routes and itineraries.
9. See Art at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Keen to take in culture? The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is home to so many pictures.
There are four purpose-built galleries and so many pieces of artwork to see in the Russell-Cotes. The gardens are also impressive, and the original Victorian stone grotto and fountain still survive, as does the Japanese garden with gold-fish ponds, bridges and fountain.
This is also one of the best things to do in Bournemouth in the rain.
10. Play Crazy Golf
Playing crazy golf is fun for everyone – adults and families, and in Bournemouth there are so many courses. These are some of the best to try in central Bournemouth:
• Mr Mulligans, Bournemouth, Bh2 Leisure Exeter Rd
• Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf, Lower Gardens
• Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, Pier Approach
11. Eat at BH2 Leisure
There are so many places to eat in Bournemouth with international chains and also local restaurants. In central Bournemouth the new BH2 Leisure complex is recommended and features food from around the world including TGI Fridays, Five Guys, Ask Italian, Nando’s, Pizza Express, Prezzo, Slim Chickens and the Real Greek. You can also find lots of other places to eat throughout Bournemouth with lots of restaurants located on the Christchurch road.
12. Eat Fish & Chips on the Beach
There are lots of food kiosks on the seafront and also a Harry Ramsdens Fish and Chips restaurant located close to Bournemouth pier. You can’t visit the seaside without eating fish and chips!
13. Enjoy the Amazing Nightlife
Bournemouth city centre has so many bars, cafes and restaurants – and the nightlife is amazing and very lively especially in summer. There are lots of top rates bars and clubs, we recommend Aruba which is located on Bournemouth Pier and has a balcony with views of the ocean.
14. Rent an E-scooter or Bike
You can rent a bike or electric scooter and explore the local areas. This is a lot of fun especially if you have never been on an e-scooter before.
15. Ride the Seafront Train
Jump aboard one of our famous land trains, sit back and enjoy the seafront scenery as you travel along the Promenade. The route travels from Bournemouth Pier East to Boscombe Pier and vice versa. Prices start from £3.30 per adult for one journey children under 5 go free. If you have kids, they will love this.
16. Go Independent in Boscombe
Boscombe is a bohemian neighbourhood of Bournemouth located about 5 minutes by car, or a 25 minute walk from Bournemouth centre.
This suburb has got something of an unfair reputation in Bournemouth due to being rather poor and rough around the edges. Well anywhere is when you compare it to Sandbanks, but Boscombe is now going through a regeneration and transformation after winning funds from the central government fund.
The local council started 10 years ago a successful rejuvenation of Boscombe seafront and now they have grand plans for the town centre too.
On Boscombe high street you can find all the standard supermarkets, shops and food outlets like Sainsburys, Aldi, Lidl, Primark, McDonalds and KFC but the main reason to visit is the amount of highly rated independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
There are some of the best independent outlets in the whole of Dorset including Little Pickles, Boscanova, Restaurant 54 and The Jerk Hut.
If you have an interest in antiques, you need to wander down the Christchurch Road from Boscombe high street to Pokesdown train station. There are so many independent and antique shops selling everything you can image.
17. Explore the Boscombe Chine Gardens
The Boscombe Chine Gardens are a fantastic place to visit and here you can see beautiful gardens, flowers, trees, a crazy golf course, basketball courts and a popular children’s play area with a popular water activity area. The trees and flowers in the gardens are very pretty and Instagramable. The Squirrel Cafe and Mini Golf is a popular tourist location. You can enter the Chine Gardens from the Christchurch Road, or from the seafront.
17. Enjoy Boscombe Seafront
Boscombe seafront used to be quite rundown but a decade ago the council invested in the area and it is since thriving. New apartments were built and the whole seafront has been rejuvenated with restaurants and a surf school.
The walk down to the seafront is spectacular with amazing ocean and beach views – on a sunny day you would be mistaken for thinking you are in the Balearic Islands or somewhere similar.
The seafront is a fantastic place relax, eat, drink, play volleyball or surf. Boscombe seafront attracts a lot of young people and families and there is a great atmosphere during summer. You can try lots of water sports like paddleboarding and surfing. You can rent equipment or take your own. Group and private lessons are available on the seafront from the SEO Surf Reef shop.
The popular Urban Reef bar and restaurant is a recommended place to eat and drink due to the amazing location. Urban Reef is situated right on the seafront and offers tasty, quality food and lots of drinks. Nothing beats sitting on the terrace outside when the weather is good. Another option is to buy a takeaway pizza from the Wood Oven restaurant next door to Urban Reef and sit on the beach to eat it. Prices aren’t as cheap as the Harvestor which is located next door, but you pay for the view and atmosphere and the food is also really good.
18. Boscombe Pier
Boscombe Pier has been voted one of the coolest piers in the country and it is really amazing for views over the ocean and seafront. You can walk down the pier to read more information about the history of Boscombe. There are also lots of activities for children.
You can play crazy golf on Boscombe Pier – this is the only eco mini golf in the country. The ball is made of fish food and the last hole literally drops right into the sea!
There are lots of musical entertainment for children.
19. Bournemouth Coastal Activity Park
Stretching over 1km either side of Boscombe Pier, the Bournemouth Coastal Activity Park is a hive of sports, activities and free events including sports courts, land adventures, water sports, live music and more.
20. Boscombe Cliff Gardens
The Boscombe Cliff Gardens are a designated local nature reserve in 2007 covering an area of almost 23 acres. It is a popular location with both local residents and visitors.
Here you can also find goats which were introduced in February 2020 as part of an initiative to help the local climate and ecology. They have become a popular attractions especially for children and you can find them grazing along the clifftop vegetation.
21. Watch an A.F.C. Bournemouth Game
If you love sport then Bournemouth have a football team which have recently been in the Premier League. They now have a competitive side in the Championship and getting tickets is fairly easy. The stadium is located in Kings Park, Boscombe.
22. Southbourne Beach
Southbourne is a quiet residential neighbourhood in Bournemouth which you probably wouldn’t visit normally for tourism, but you might pass through it and if you do want to stop here, there are some great things to do.
The beach in Southbourne is generally much quieter than Bournemouth centre and Boscombe with less tourists. There is parking all along the clifftop and getting here is easy.
23. Fishermans Walk, Southbourne
If you do venture to this part of town we recommend parking near the high street and then walking through Fishermans Walk. There are huge trees, a bandstand and a scenic pond. There is also a popular cafe on the cliff top with great views of the ocean.
24. Discover the Market Town of Christchurch
Discover the market town of Christchurch located to the west of Bournemouth, around 20 minutes by car from Bournemouth centre. Chrischurch is a very traditional and pretty town with shops, cafes, restaurants and a parish church. Avon Beach and Hengistbury Head are located nearby whilst the New Forest is just down the road.
25. Visit Hengistbury Head
Hengistbury Head is one of the our top rated destinations in Bournemouth and is an essential place to add to your itinerary. Located close to Christchurch, Hengistbury Head is a location with walking trails, beaches and very expensive beach huts. You can get amazing views of the cliffs, ocean and the Isle of White. The beach huts here are very expensive and regularly sell for around £300,000!
26. Clifftop Walk
Bournemouth has a spectacular coast and one of the best ways to see it is via the clifftop walks. You can walk the whole length of the beach and most of the trip can be done via the clifftop. Some of the best views can be seen from the coast near Hengistbury Head. Bring a comfortable pair of trainers!
27. Visit Poole Bay
Have an interest in boats? Or just keen to visit a location where the rich and famous dock their play things? Head to Poole Harbour.
28. Experience Luxury Life in Sandbanks
Sandbanks is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK, flats and houses here regularly sell for millions. Sandbanks is located only a 15 minute drive from Bournemouth city centre whilst there are several open top tourist buses which also pass through.
Sandbanks is spectacular especially when the weather is good or you get to see sunset over the harbour. There is the option to visit the beach or take a stroll around the harbour. You can even do watersports here like sailing and windsurfing.
A drink or walk around the main part of the island to see the expensive houses is recommend if you want to see how the rich and famous live. Famous local residents include Graham Sousness, Harry Redknapp and Tony Pulis.
29. Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island, also known as squirrel island, is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour and is owned by the National Trust. This island is important to local wildlife and is home to several rare animals, including red squirrels and wading birds.
Brownsea is around 4 miles round and you can easily walk around it to enjoy the nature, wildlife and scenery. There is a café on the island which is great for grabbing something to eat or drink.
To get here you can catch a ferry from Poole harbour.
30. Bournemouth Air Show
Bournemouth has several events and festivals taking place throughout the year and the Air Show is one of the most popular attraction hundreds of thousands of visitors. Usually taking place in August or September, this even includes day and night air flying including the Red Arrows and classic planes, entertainment on the ground and across the site including the Town Square and limited Night Air entertainment in the Lower Gardens.
Best Day Trips from Bournemouth
There are so many amazing places located close to Bournemouth which are worth visiting if you have a flexible schedule and are keen to discover more of the local area. These are the top places to consider visiting.
Jurassic Coast
There are so many amazing day trips from Bournemouth and Durdle Door is possible the best. Located about 1 hour by car from Bournemouth, Durdle Door is spectacular. Durdle Door often gets voted one of the best beaches in Europe and it is easy to see why, the. landscape and views here are incredible.
New Forest National Park
The New Forest is one of the best locations on the south coast of England and is only about a 20 minute drive from Bournemouth. This is one of the top destinations in Dorset and is best known for its nature, forest trails and horses. There are lots of walking and mountain biking trails, nature sites, camp sites and wildlife experiences.
Studland
Studland is a beautiful nature area with beaches and amazing views. To get here you can drive. from Swanage, catch the car ferry from Sandbanks or stop off on the open top bus tour.
Old Harry Rocks
If you like walking you can head over to Old Harry Rocks, a famous local landmark. The walk and views from the cliffs are incredible.
Swanage
Swanage is a small isolated seaside town located close to the Purbeck. It is worth visiting if you fancy a day trip out from Bournemouth.
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle was a Saxon stronghold, a Norman fortress, a royal palace and a family home in its ten centuries of dominating the Purbeck landscape. Located near Swange, Corfe Caste is well worth a stop if you enjoy history.
Hopefully our list has given you some ideas for amazing things to do when you visit Bournemouth and Poole. This region of the UK is beautiful especially if you are lucky and get sunny weather.
