Bournemouth is Dorset’s largest town and one of the UK’s most popular seaside resorts. With miles of sandy beaches with restaurants, entertainment and one of the widest selections of accommodation in the county, it is an ideal base for exploring Dorset and the surrounding area.
The town lies between Poole and Christchurch on the eastern edge of Dorset, with easy access by road, rail and National Express coach services. From Bournemouth it’s easy to visit nearby attractions including Sandbanks, Brownsea Island, Corfe Castle, Swanage, the Jurassic Coast and the New Forest National Park, making it a convenient choice for both short breaks and longer holidays.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional family seaside holiday, a weekend break or simply somewhere convenient to stay while exploring Dorset, Bournemouth offers a good balance of beaches, attractions and practical facilities.
Official tourism website: www.bournemouth.co.uk
Best Things to Do in Bournemouth
Bournemouth has plenty to keep visitors occupied, from its famous beach and Victorian gardens to museums, family attractions and scenic coastal walks. It’s also an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding coastline, with open-top bus services, boat trips and nearby attractions all within easy reach.
Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth Beach is the town’s biggest attraction and forms part of a seven-mile stretch of sandy coastline extending from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head. The central beach around Bournemouth Pier is the busiest, with lifeguards during the summer, beach huts, cafés, toilets and a wide promenade.
For those looking for a quieter spot, a walk of just 10 to 15 minutes along the promenade leads to beaches such as Durley Chine, Alum Chine and Boscombe, which are often less crowded while offering the same soft sand and clean bathing water.
Bournemouth Pier
Stretching out into Poole Bay, Bournemouth Pier has been a focal point of the town since the late 19th century. Today it offers panoramic coastal views, cafés, family attractions and the popular RockReef Activity Centre, home to climbing walls and the PierZip zip-line.
The pier is also a popular place to watch the sunset, enjoy an ice cream or simply take in views across the coastline towards the Isle of Wight and the Purbeck Hills.
Lower Gardens
Running from Bournemouth town centre to the seafront, the Lower Gardens are one of the town’s most attractive features. Beautifully maintained with colourful flower displays, mature trees and open lawns, they provide a peaceful contrast to the busy beach and shopping streets nearby. The gardens are ideal for a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing on a sunny day, and they regularly host seasonal events, outdoor exhibitions and popular winter light displays. They also provide an attractive pedestrian route between the town centre, Bournemouth Pier and the beach.
Bournemouth Town Centre
Bournemouth town centre is located a short walk from the seafront and features a largely pedestrianised shopping area, cafés, restaurants and entertainment venues. The Square forms the main hub, linking directly to the Lower Gardens and providing an attractive route down to Bournemouth Pier and the beach.
Nearby, the BH2 Leisure complex is home to a multi-screen cinema and a wide choice of restaurants, while the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) hosts concerts, comedy shows and exhibitions throughout the year. The historic Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, overlooking the Lower Gardens, presents musicals, drama, concerts and family shows. The compact town centre can easily be explored on foot.
Explore the Nearby Beaches
If you prefer a quieter beach, it’s well worth walking a little further along the promenade. Durley Chine is around an 11-minute walk west of Bournemouth Pier, followed by Middle Chine (14 minutes) and Alum Chine (18 minutes). These beaches are often noticeably quieter than the central beach and are particularly popular with local residents.
Russell-Cotes Museum & Art Gallery
Overlooking the sea on the East Cliff, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is one of Dorset’s finest museums. Housed in the former home of Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes, it combines beautifully preserved Victorian interiors with collections of paintings, sculptures and artefacts from around the world. It provides a quieter, more cultural contrast to Bournemouth’s beach and seafront attractions, while its clifftop location offers excellent views across Bournemouth Bay. The museum also has a café, which can be visited free of charge without purchasing admission to the museum.
Bournemouth Oceanarium
Bournemouth Oceanarium is located next to Bournemouth Pier and features a range of marine and freshwater exhibits. Visitors can see sharks, turtles, penguins and tropical fish, with displays designed to represent different aquatic environments. The attraction includes indoor and outdoor areas, making it suitable in most weather conditions. It is a family-oriented venue and is easily combined with a visit to the beach or seafront.
Bournemouth Observation Wheel
The Bournemouth Observation Wheel is a seasonal attraction located beside Bournemouth Pier. Its enclosed gondolas offer panoramic views across Bournemouth Beach, the town centre and Poole Bay. Operating for much of the year, including the summer season and selected holiday periods, the slow-moving ride provides plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, making it an easy addition to a visit to the seafront.
Open Top Purbeck Breezer Bus Service to Swanage
Morebus operates two popular open-top Breezer bus services from Bournemouth during the summer months. Unlike traditional sightseeing buses, these are part of the local bus network, making them an affordable way to explore the surrounding area. Single fares are currently capped at £3, while English National Concessionary Bus Passes are accepted, making them excellent value.
The Purbeck Breezer 50 travels via Sandbanks, the Sandbanks Ferry, Studland and Corfe Castle before terminating in Swanage.
The Beach Breezer 70 follows the coast via Poole Quay, Compton Acres, Bournemouth Pier, Southbourne, Christchurch and Mudeford.
Both routes offer spectacular coastal scenery and are among the best ways to explore the area without using a car.
Bournemouth Coastal Walks
The level seafront promenade makes Bournemouth an excellent place for a coastal walk. From Bournemouth Pier it’s around 3 miles to Sandbanks Shore Road Beach (approximately 1 hour), or continue another mile to the Sandbanks Ferry (around 1 hour 20 minutes). For a modest fare, foot passengers can cross to Shell Bay on the Studland Peninsula, where you can explore the beach or continue into Studland village. The open-top Purbeck Breezer 50 bus provides an easy return journey to Bournemouth if you don’t wish to walk back.
Alternatively, head east along the promenade towards Boscombe, Southbourne and Hengistbury Head for another of Dorset’s most enjoyable coastal walks.
City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus
The City Sightseeing Bus in Bournemouth is an open-top, hop-on hop-off service covering Bournemouth Pier, the town centre, the railway station, Westbourne, Sandbanks, Poole Park, Poole Quay and the Old Town. Audio commentary is provided, outlining key landmarks and local history. Tickets are valid throughout the day, allowing passengers to get on and off as often as they wish, making it a convenient way to explore Bournemouth without worrying about parking.
Bournemouth Car Parking
Bournemouth has numerous pay-and-display car parks close to the beach, pier and town centre, including several multi-storey car parks. During the summer holidays and on warm weekends they can fill quickly, so arriving early is recommended.
For more detailed information on the best places to park, see our Bournemouth Parking Guide.
Nearby Places to Visit
Sandbanks (4 miles west)
Sandbanks is a well-known coastal area between Bournemouth and Poole, recognised for its sandy beach and views across Poole Bay. It is popular for swimming and water sports and provides access to the Sandbanks ferry to Studland.
Poole Quay (5 miles west)
Poole is a historic harbour town located 5 miles west of Bournemouth. It is centred around Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The quay area includes restaurants, boat trips and views towards Brownsea Island.
Westbourne (1 mile west)
Westbourne is a small suburb of Bournemouth located inland from Alum Chine. It has a compact centre with independent shops, cafés and restaurants. It offers a quieter alternative to Bournemouth town centre.
Boscombe Beach (1.5 miles east)
Boscombe Beach is located to the east of Bournemouth and offers a wide stretch of sand backed by a promenade and pier. The area is generally quieter than the central Bournemouth beach. Facilities include cafés, surf schools and beach huts, with good access from Boscombe and nearby residential areas.
Hengistbury Head (3 miles east)
Hengistbury Head is a coastal headland to the east of Bournemouth, with walking trails, heathland and views across Christchurch Harbour. It is a protected nature reserve and a quieter alternative to the main beaches.
Christchurch (5.5 miles east)
Christchurch is a historic town located east of Bournemouth, known for its harbour, priory and riverside setting. The town centre is compact, with a mix of historic buildings, shops and access to nearby beaches.
Studland Bay (via Sandbanks Ferry)
Studland Bay lies across the entrance to Poole Harbour and is accessible via the Sandbanks ferry. It includes a series of sandy beaches backed by dunes and heathland, offering a quieter coastal setting.