What to See in Bournemouth – 12 Things
What to see in Bournemouth rated by ‘the most searched for in Google’
Bournemouth has so much to see. Not only does it have glorious 7-mile blue flag award-winning sandy beaches, but it also has nearby seaside towns. Adjacent to the New Forest with its stunning country villages and free-ranging horses, donkeys cows, and pigs.
Sandbanks is a short drive away and is famous for its high property prices being one of the most expensive places in the world to live. Brownsea Island and the Isle of White are a short boat trip away just over the water from Poole’s famous harbour.
All this on top of the great shopping facilities, Michelin star restaurants, and bars and you can hazard a guess it isn’t too difficult to find things to see and do in Bournemouth.
To find out more about Sandbanks beach go to our Sandbanks Beach Guide
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1. The Bournemouth Air Show
The Bournemouth Air Show takes place every year. Thousands of people come from all over the UK and Europe to watch this multi-award-winning feat of excellence over the skies of Bournemouth.
To find out more about the Bournemouth Air Show go to our Bournemouth Air Show Guide.
2. The Bournemouth Pier
Bournemouth Pier is a historical landmark in Bournemouth. It was first built in the eighteen hundreds and has been used as many things over the years. It is a hive of activity in Bournemouth all year round and has been brought up to the present with millions of pounds being spent on it to make it into the modern, award-winning icon. It was also voted the most Instagram-able landmark in England.
The Bournemouth Pier now has a restaurant with stunning sea views, the first Pier to Beach zip wire in the world, shows, and events a family game and amusement arcade, and rock reef activity centre which includes a climbing wall and underground cave
To find out more about the Bournemouth Pier go to our Bournemouth Pier Guide.
3. The Bournemouth International Centre
The Bournemouth International Centre or BIC, as it’s mostly called, is the largest events, conference, and entertainment venue on the South Coast of England. Every show and act you can imagine has been here to perform and there are shows daily.
Go to the link to find out more about What’s on at the Bournemouth International Centre
4. Alice in Wonderland Adventure Park
Alice in Wonderland is a family adventure just on the outskirts of Bournemouth, opposite Bournemouth airport in Christchurch. Voted the top 1# Family Attraction in Dorset. It really is a fun-filled day out. There are lots of rides and attractions to enjoy and it is open all year round.
Go to the link here to find out more about the Alice in Wonderland Attraction
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5. The Bournemouth Gardens
The gardens in Bournemouth are Grade 2 listed and are protected by the English Heritage Society. At a length of 3KM, they start at Bournemouth town centre and end at Bournemouth Pier. Width-wise they span three different roads and go all the way to the Poole boundary. The Bournemouth gardens have quite a few attractions, some of them are the following: The Bournemouth Wheel, tennis court, children’s playgrounds, bird aviary, bandstand, ice-cream kiosks, coy pond, war memorial, ornamental rockery, and boardwalk.
6. Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth is famous for its 7-miles of award-winning blue flag beaches. Bournemouth beach is open to anyone 24 hours a day, there is no fee to go to the beach. It does get extremely busy in the summer though, so it’s best to take a bus in or park and ride.
7. Westbourne, Bournemouth
Westbourne is a small town off of Bournemouth about a 10-minute drive away. It’s a beautiful little town with unique shops and cafes and a very old arcade. Westbourne is Bournemouth’s upmarket shopping village, with pubs and some lovely cafes within the old arcade which still adorns its Victorian past. The Westbourne arcade is a grade 2 listed structure and is protected by the English Heritage Society.
To find out more about Westbourne, go to our Westbourne Bournemouth page.
8. Sandbanks Beach
Sandbanks beach is famous for its high property prices and ‘millionaires row’. It’s one of the most expensive places in the world to live. Sandbanks beach has miles of golden sandy beaches with incredible views. It also has a ferry which will take you over to Studland bay. Being a 20-30 drive on Bournemouth it is popular with Bournemouth tourists as another day out.
To find out more about Sandbanks beach take a look at our Sandbanks Beach Guide.
9. Crazy Golf
Bournemouth has its crazy golf next to Bournemouth Pier. The Smugglers Cove Mini Golf Adventure. Open at 10 am every day, and an app you can upload your score too, to compete with others. To find out more on the many venues to play crazy golf then go to our Crazy Golf Bournemouth page.
10. The Oceanarium
Whatever the weather is in Bournemouth. you can always visit the Oceanarium. The Bournemouth Oceanarium is packed with interesting land and sea mammals. Some of the mammals you will get to see are Penguins, Otters, Sharks, and Stingrays as well as over 150 species of fish. Be sure to attend the daily feeding sessions and you will get up close with these amazing creatures.
Go to the website link to learn more about the Oceanarium and to book a ticket.
11. The Big Wheel
The Bournemouth Big Wheel is a smaller version of the London Wheel. Situated on Pier Approach. You can expect to see stunning, panoramic views of Bournemouth beach, the pier and, Bournemouth town from the Big Wheel which stands at more than 100 feet tall. You’ll need a head for heights to go on this ride!
Fun fact: The view from the Big Wheel at sunset is definitely worth it.
This list could go on and on because there is so much to see and do in Bournemouth. We have lots of other articles on our website on activities and places to see in and around Bournemouth, so be sure to check them out!
12. The Smallest Cinema in the UK
For more information on The Bournemouth, Colosseum cinema go to our Westbourne Bournemouth page.
If you wanted an even more unique experience, why not nip over to Westbourne arcade and visit the smallest cinema in the UK. The Bournemouth Colosseum cinema is situated under the Vintage Lounge Cafe in the Westbourne arcade. This 27-seated cinema shows an eclectic mix of movies ranging from foreign movies to film noir, Bafta award-winning, and B movies. An extremely unique experience and the perfect indoor activity for a rainy day in Bournemouth.
