Bournemouth Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Durdle Door which includes rugged coastline, a pebble beach and a sunset
From a golden beach and Victorian-era architecture to award-winning gardens and a buzzing nightlife, this is one of England’s most-loved beach resorts.

Bournemouth is the epitome of a classic English beach town, offering sweeping coastline, grand Victorian architecture and lively nightlife. Until the early 1800s, Bournemouth was a remote heathland used mainly by fishermen and smugglers. Today, the town attracts a mixture of daytrippers, family vacationers and bachelor parties.

Bournemouth’s focal point is Bournemouth Beach, a 7-mile (11-kilometer) bay of golden sand stretching along England’s southern coast. Stroll along the waterfront promenade to find cafés, bars and barbecue areas. Check out the colorful beach huts, symbols of an English tradition that began in Bournemouth in the early 1900s. Rent sun loungers and watersport equipment, including kayaks, surfboards and Jet Skis.

Walk to Boscombe Pier, a 19th-century structure with excellent coastline views. Visit the Coastal Activity Park, a recreation area offering over 30 beach and water activities. Take a boat trip to Brownsea Island to spot endangered wildlife.

Explore 2,000 acres (809 hectares) of gardens in the town center and surrounding region. Wander through the picturesque Victorian-style Lower Gardens. Watch free concerts at the bandstand or play a round of miniature golf. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the town and beach on the Bournemouth Balloon. Follow trails past colorful roses and rhododendrons in the pristine Central Gardens. Discover Asian, American and European trees in the Upper Gardens.

Bournemouth has abundant indoor attractions, too. See hundreds of aquatic creatures at the Oceanarium. Study 19th-century art at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. Watch concerts, musicals, ballet and opera at the Pavilion Theatre. Go to St. Peter’s Church, which houses the tomb of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.

Enjoy Bournemouth’s famous dining and nightlife. Choose from more than 250 restaurants, bars and nightclubs, many inside Victorian-era buildings located in the largely pedestrianized town center.

Bournemouth is just a 2-hour drive from London and easily reached via trains, buses or rental car. Come in summer to enjoy festivals, watersports and sunbathing or visit in winter for long walks on an almost deserted beach.

Where to stay in Bournemouth

Default Image

Bournemouth City Centre

4/5(1,198 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Bournemouth City Centre. Make a stop by Bournemouth Lower Gardens or Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre while you're exploring the area.

Bournemouth City Centre
Default Image

West Cliff

4/5(6 area reviews)

While visiting West Cliff, you might make a stop by sights like Bournemouth Beach and Durley Chine Beach.

West Cliff
Laguna Hotel
Laguna Hotel
3 out of 5
6 Suffolk Road South, Bournemouth, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp783.322 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
Rp783.322
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bournemouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
"All the staffs are very old, good reception but no good room services. No telephone in the room for easy communications with any of the areas. The hotel is good for people age 80s but not for younger nan like me."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Laguna Hotel
The Durley Dean Hotel
The Durley Dean Hotel
4 out of 5
28 West Cliff Road, West Cliff, Bournemouth, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.047.491 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
Rp1.047.491
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Bournemouth. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Nice venue"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

The Durley Dean Hotel
Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth
Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth
3.5 out of 5
Upper Terrace Road, Bournemouth, England
The price is Rp1.341.769 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
Rp1.341.769
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Bournemouth. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Bournemouth
"Very quiet and friendly staff. Breakfast selection was good."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Holiday Home With Hot Tub & Sauna
Holiday Home With Hot Tub & Sauna
4 out of 5
Bournemouth, England
Stay at this 4-star spa holiday home in Bournemouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Knyveton Gardens and Meyrick Park ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"What the full holiday with my kids thanks guys"

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2023

Holiday Home With Hot Tub & Sauna
Stunning one Bedroom Apartment in Bournemouth
Stunning one Bedroom Apartment in Bournemouth
3.5 out of 5
Bournemouth, England
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Bournemouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a TV. Popular attractions Boscombe Pier and Coastal Activity Park are located ...
Stunning one Bedroom Apartment in Bournemouth
Seaview West Coast
Seaview West Coast
4 out of 5
8 West Coast, Beacon Road, Bournemouth, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Bournemouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an airport shuttle. Popular attractions Oceanarium and Bournemouth Lower Gardens ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
"Lovely apartment, more a home than a let with top quality decor and fixtures and fittings"

Reviewed on 8 Sep 2023

Seaview West Coast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bournemouth

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
454
" "5 - Excellent 40.070609002647835%
4 - Good
531
" "4 - Good 46.86672550750221%
3 - Okay
126
" "3 - Okay 11.120917917034422%
2 - Disappointing
18
" "2 - Disappointing 1.588702559576346%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 0.353045013239188%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
10 Mar 2020

Didn’t spend much time outside hotel due to weather. Will probably come back in a better weather.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 Mar 2020

Bournemouth a very nice seaside location for all ages.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Mar 2020

It was a pleasant short stay and will like to go again

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Feb 2020

went to the BIC for a concert the town centre is quite nice with many shops and restaurants can recommend for a few days

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Feb 2020

Great town good shopping nice place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Feb 2020

Typical seaside town

Cities near Bournemouth