10 Best Things To Do In Bournemouth, England

Jasmine
Posted Oct 02, 2017
| 4 min read

Bournemouth, England, is the place to be! Considered a seaside resort along the southern coast, Bournemouth is full of activities, such as the Bournemouth Pier. Here are some things to do and attractions to see, while in Bournemouth:

1. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a triple threat: a house, a gallery, and a garden! This attraction triples the impact it will leave on you! In 1901, Merton Russell-Cotes presented his wife, Annie with this spectacular house! Over the years, they collected British artwork and other treasured objects from around the world. Soon after, the Russell-Cotes left everything inside the house to the future, so everyone could enjoy it.

There’s a cafe, art shop, and the building can even be used as a venue for weddings! It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesdays and Sundays. Look for admission prices on the website.

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Address: East Cliff Promenade Bournemouth BH1 3AA

Website: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

2. Hengistbury Head

In Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hengistbury Head is a place of awe and is part of the Christchurch Harbour Site of Special Scientific Interest. It’s an archaeological place, filled with grasslands, freshwater wetlands and coastlands. It’s a protected habitat for wildlife and full of historic secrets, held for millions of years. Hengistbury Head is right on the beach, stationed among the hills and it will completely enthrall you.

Hengistbury Head

Address: BH6 4 Bournemouth

Website: Hengistbury Head

3. Oceanarium: The Bournemouth Aquarium

Want some underwater fun? Then you may want to check out Oceanarium: The Bournemouth Aquarium! Partake in underwater adventures and look for the exciting creatures of the sea, such as sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish and penguins. Oceanarium hosts birthday parties and has a cafe and gift shop, so buy your tickets today!

Oceanarium: The Bournemouth Aquarium

Address: Pier Approach, West Beach Bournemouth BH2 5AA

Website: Oceanarium: The Bournemouth Aquarium

4. The MacGuffin Project


One of the darkest attractions in Bournemouth, the MacGuffin Project is just waiting to blow your mind! According to history, the MacGuffin Project Carnival was shut down back in 1895, supposedly because of an unknown project turned bad. 150 year later, it’s operational and it is a dark world, full of unexplained beauty to enlighten you. You will uncover the truth of what happened to the MacGuffin Project all those years ago, through the fortune teller, the magician, and much, much more! Experience the MacGuffin Project, if you dare…

The MacGuffin Project

Address: 205 Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth BH1 1JU

Website: The MacGuffin Project

5. Pavilion Theatre

In Bournemouth, there are year-round venues for entertainment, such as opera, ballet, musicals, catwalk shows, and more! The Pavilion Theatre is one of these facilities, run by a social enterprise called BH Live, that’s dedicated to hosting and designing entertainment geared to bring culture to peoples’ lives. The Pavilion Theatre was built back in 1929 and there’s plenty of room inside as it seats 1,448. Make sure you stop by and enjoy the various entertainment the Pavilion Theatre has to offer.

Pavilion Theatre

Address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH

Website: Pavilion Theatre

6. Bournemouth Beach

What’s a vacation without a beach? Check out Bournemouth Beach! Enjoy the beautiful, clean, blue water, that’s also warm in the summer. If you don’t want to sunbathe, you can chill in a beach hut. Bournemouth Beach is one of the safest beaches in the United Kingdom and it’s pet-friendly! On the beach, you will see the Fisherman’s Walk and the train that travels from Bournemouth to Boscombe Pier. Bournemouth Beach is full of activities along its coastline, so it’s never a dull moment for you and your family!

Bournemouth Beach

Website: Bournemouth Beach

7. City Cruises Poole


37 minutes away from Bournemouth, you’ll be able to sightsee like never before! Here, you can tour the city of Bournemouth on a bus and then board a cruise at Poole Quay. The cruise lasts approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Also, you will see Brownsea Island, which is the biggest among the five islands. Sightsee by bus and use your tickets as a “hop on/hop off” option, for all the sea cruises. Book your tickets today!

City Cruises Poole

Address: The Quay Poole, Dorset BH15 1HJ

Website: City Cruises Poole

8. Boscombe Chine Gardens


47 mins away from Bournemouth, Boscombe Chine Gardens is full of peace, nature, and beauty. This garden is decorated with flowers, huge grassy areas, mini-golf, and a water-themed playground. Boscombe Chine Gardens is also a habitat for a wide range of wildlife. Take the wildlife quiz, along the trail, involving the animals and plants. Not only will you exercise your body, your mind will enjoy the workout, too! Boscombe Chine Gardens are maintained by a group of volunteers called the Friends of Boscombe Chine Gardens.

Boscombe Chine Gardens

Address: Christchurch Road Boscombe Dorset BH1 4AA

Website: Boscombe Chine Gardens

9. RockReef Activity Centre & Pier Zip


If you’re ready for an awesome indoor activity, visit the Rockreef Activity Centre & Pier Zip! This activity is for all ages, 4 to 94! There are 27 individual climbing walls, challenges for beginners and more experienced climbers, a Pier Cave, and RockReef’s Leap of Faith! Outside is the PierZip and the Rockreef Activity Centre & Pier Zip is open seven days a week, all year round!

RockReef Activity Centre & Pier Zip

Address: Bournemouth Pier, Bournemouth, BH2 5AA

Website: RockReef Activity Centre & Pier Zip

10. The Square


The Square is a public square in the center of Bournemouth and it’s a very popular place to be in the city! The majority of the Square is pedestrian and the full of large chain stores, boutiques, and individually owned businesses. With all the shopping and fun to be had, someone will literally have to pry you out of the Square, in Bournemouth.

The Square

Address: Located in the centre of Bournemouth

Website: The Square

The name is Bournemouth!

With all the entertainment and attractions to see, Bournemouth is guaranteed to enrich your life, with endless fun. You will not want to go back home and when you do, family and friends will gather around just to hear of your adventures. Bournemouth is definitely a top international city to visit!

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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