Things to Do in Bournemouth

Waiting for your car to be fixed, or visiting Bournemouth for the day? Here are some local places worth a look. Opening times change through the year, so check with each venue before you set off.

Bournemouth Beach and Pier

Seven miles of sandy beach run from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head. The pier is in the middle, with the seafront promenade either side for walking or cycling.

The Lower, Central and Upper Gardens

The Victorian gardens follow the Bourne stream from the pier up through the town centre, with the bandstand and the Bournemouth Balloon close to the square.

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

A Victorian clifftop villa above the East Cliff, full of paintings and collections gathered by its original owners.

Hengistbury Head

A headland nature reserve between Southbourne and Christchurch Harbour, with walks, views over the Isle of Wight and the beach huts at Mudeford Sandbank.

Poole Quay and Brownsea Island

Poole’s harbourside has cafés, boat trips and the Poole Museum. Ferries run from the quay to Brownsea Island, with its red squirrels and woodland walks, in the warmer months.

Christchurch Priory

A long, historic parish church at the heart of Christchurch, close to the quay and the riverside walks.

Further afield

The New Forest starts just east of Christchurch, with Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu all within a short drive. To the west, Studland, Corfe Castle and the Jurassic Coast are reached over the Sandbanks chain ferry or round through Wareham.

Car trouble while you’re out?

If your car won’t start in a car park or at the side of the road around Bournemouth, we can come to you. Tell us where you are and what’s happening.