Looking for the best things to do in Bournemouth? From cliffs to beaches, music and culture, find out what to do when you visit this stunning area.
Whether you’re looking for a day out in the sun or a weekend filled with adventure, Bournemouth offers exciting activities for everyone. With its spectacular coastal views, charming towns and villages as well as plenty of outdoor activities, there’s never a dull moment when visiting this vibrant city. Here are some of the best things to do while in Bournemouth. Some of them are free!
Hit The Beach
Bournemouth is renowned for its seven miles of award-winning beaches that are perfect for sunbathers, sandcastle builders and beachgoers looking to explore the area.
Stretching alongside the town’s vibrant pier with plenty of things to do and places to eat, there’s something for everyone along this beautiful stretch of coastline.
Harbour Lake Beach is a seclude little beach with great water quality. Check our blog post on Harbour Lake Beach
Explore Hengistbury Head
With an impressive coastline stretching over 2.5 miles, Hengistbury Head is a stunning area for outdoor activities like walking and beachcombing.
Here you’ll find dramatic cliffs overlooking golden beaches, which makes it the perfect spot for taking in views of the Isle of Wight and The Solent. There are also plenty of options for bird watching along the coast with a wide range of species to observe.
Visit Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Located on East Cliff, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum offers visitors a chance to soak up some culture.
This house museum offers a peek into the lives of former owners Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Annie, with an array of displays full of furniture, textiles, sculptures and paintings. It’s particularly well known for its great collection of Pre-Raphaelite artworks featuring works from William Holman Hunt and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
Visitors can finish off their tour in the tranquil garden or take advantage of the diverse events programme.
Enjoy a Tour of Brownsea Island
Set sail for a day of adventure on Brownsea Island. Located just off the coast of Poole near Bournemouth, this 600-acre nature reserve offers visitors a wealth of outdoor activities from hiking to birdwatching. Tour the ruins of St Mary’s Chapel and visit the Scouts centre where Robert Baden Powell started his youth movement back in 1907.
The island is also home to some amazing wildlife, ranging from red squirrels to exotic birds like Caribbean monk parrot, while you can take your time exploring the various lagoons which are teeming with fish and crabs.
Climb Highcliffe’s Unfenced Cliff Walks
Highcliffe Castle is definitely worth a visit, but the real highlight of this area is the unfenced cliff walks which take you all along the coast.
Start at Mudeford Quay, follow the path towards Marlowe Drive, and before you know it, you’ll be able to see views out to The Needles on the Isle of Wight in one direction and Bournemouth’s landmark pier in the other.
Whether you start with a leisurely stroll or go for an all-day hike, these breathtaking views are worth exploring and make for some stunning landscape photography.
The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular natural attractions in the area. Take a trip to explore the famous cliffs and rock formations.
Enjoy the Nightlife
Bournemouth is known for its vibrant nightlife, with a wide range of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from
Try some water sports
Bournemouth is a great place to try your hand at a variety of water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Visit the Bournemouth International Centre
This venue hosts a wide range of events throughout the year, including concerts, comedy shows, and exhibitions.
Take a walk along the pier
The Bournemouth Pier is a great place to take a walk and admire the views of the coast. You can also go fishing or play some arcade games.
Visit the Bournemouth Aviation Museum
This museum has a great collection of aircraft and artifacts from the first world war to the Cold War.