9 Best Things to Do in Bournemouth

While British seaside piers were all the rage in the Victorian era, many have fallen into disuse as trends have changed. Bournemouth’s has adapted and remains one of the best bits of this lively seaside town. The old theatre has been converted into an indoor climbing centre and the world’s first pier-to-shore zipline can carry you back to the beach when you’re done. There’s plenty of reason to stay on the pier, though – a modest selection of shops, some great restaurants and a little funfair at the very end.

Bournemouth has one of the finest beaches in England, with wide and soft golden sands stretching for 7 award-winning miles. The English Channel isn’t known for its warmth, but Bournemouth is fortunate enough to have a microclimate creating some of the warmest waters around the UK. There’s lots to do nearby, including watersports like surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Check out the seaside parks and gardens, work out in the Coastal Activity Park, or just relax and enjoy the sun, sea, and sand.

St Peter’s Church is already noteworthy for being a very beautiful Gothic revival building. Its 200ft spire is among the tallest structures of the Bournemouth skyline. The interior is just as striking and earns the church a place among England’s finest. In the graveyard outside lies the author of the Gothic horror novel Frankenstein, along with her husband – famed lyrical poet Percy Bysshe Shelley – and parents.

Sir Merton Russell-Cotes was a philanthropic Mayor of Bournemouth in the late 1800s. In 1901, he built a dream house for his wife as a birthday present. A mere 6 years later, they gifted the building and its contents to the people of Bournemouth, creating this remarkable art gallery and museum. It’s quite a grand and eclectic place, combining all sorts of architectural styles in its construction and artistic styles in its collection. Every room has something to see and enjoy, making it undoubtedly one of Bournemouth’s star cultural attractions.

Christchurch Road runs through a largely residential part of Bournemouth yet is lined with some of the most interesting shops, especially near the Pokesown train station. If you’re looking for something different and unique, you’ll probably find it among the vintage clothes shops, antique stores, and little independent boutiques here. If you want a more contemporary selection, you’ll find the modern Sovereign Shopping Mall at the opposite end of the same road.

The Square is pretty much the hub of central Bournemouth, and an excellent place to start your day. Not exactly square-shaped, it has pedestrianised shopping precincts to the east and west, and parks over the roads to the north and south. Head to the nearby South Coast Roast for your morning brew, then maybe check out the nearby shops, which include a Debenhams department store in quite a grand old building.

The main parks in Bournemouth are a little unusual in shape. They follow the course of the Bourne – the river the city takes its name from – and are therefore about 2 miles long but only a couple of hundred feet wide. Split by minor roads, they are unimaginatively named Upper Gardens, Central Gardens and Lower Gardens. To be fair, the tree-shaded banks of the Borne are genuinely peaceful, and 8 tennis courts, mini golf, and an aviary have somehow been squeezed into the restrictive space as well.

Bournemouth has a thriving music culture and is known as one of the best places outside of London to see major gigs and concerts. There are 3 big venues to choose from – Bournemouth International Centre, the Pavilion Theatre, and O2 Academy. The last 2 of these are beautiful historical buildings. O2 Academy, on Christchurch Road, has seen many stars take to its stage through its long history, and still has big events virtually every weekend.

With a young and lively population, Bournemouth has a good nightlife scene, including a range of first-class clubs. Most can be found along Old Christchurch Road, near the city centre. Don’t worry if high-energy discos aren’t your thing – the scene is very varied, with traditional English pubs and sophisticated cocktail lounges also available. Among the top venues are the refined Smokin’ Aces on Commercial Road, with its extensive selection of spirits. There’s also The Old Fire Station on Holdenhurst Road, which is particularly popular with the local university students and attracts big-name DJs. Halo is somewhat iconic in the UK nightlife scene and is housed in a former church on Exeter Road – definitely worth checking out!