Bournemouth Highlights

Bournemouth Essentials

Bournemouth features seven miles of sandy coastline anchored by its 1880 Victorian pier and the Grade II listed Lower, Central, and Upper Gardens. This selection highlights the town's architectural heritage, from the 1920s Pavilion Theatre to the eclectic Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. Key sites include St Peter’s Church, the final resting place of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, and family-oriented landmarks like the Oceanarium and the historic cliff lifts.

Robert Courtman / Public domain

Bournemouth Beach

Adjacent to one of UK's most loved resorts, the beach is well-equipped with various facilities and guarantees you won't get bored here.

Bournemouth Pier

Originally opened in 1880, this Victorian structure features an amusement arcade, a variety of dining options, and the Pier Approach. It serves as a departure point for seasonal boat trips along the coast.

LordHarris / CC BY 2.5

Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

The Russell-Cotes Museum is an art gallery and museum in Bournemouth, England.

Tracy Lord / CC-BY-SA

Bournemouth Gardens

Grade II listed Victorian gardens extending from the town center to the seafront. Divided into Upper, Central, and Lower sections, they feature diverse floral displays, a bandstand, and an ornamental rockery.

Oceanarium

Located next to the pier, this aquarium features themed zones representing the Amazon, Great Barrier Reef, and the Abyss. It houses Humboldt penguins, sharks, sea turtles, and a walk-through underwater tunnel.

LordHarris / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bournemouth International Centre

The Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, Dorset, was opened in September 1984.

Andrew Mathewson / CC BY-SA 2.0

St Peter's Church

St Peter's Church is a Church of England parish church located in the centre of Bournemouth, Dorset, England.

Ethan Doyle White / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Pavilion

The Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom is a concert hall in Bournemouth. It opened in 1929 and has been redesigned several times since.

Alum Chine Beach

A Blue Flag beach known for its wide sandy shores and proximity to a tropical garden. It features a large pirate-themed children's playground and traditional beach huts for hire.

Bournemouth Aviary

A landmark in the Lower Gardens since the 1930s, this rescue aviary houses a variety of tropical birds. It is run by volunteers and operates as a registered charity.

East Cliff Lift Bottom

The lower station of the East Cliff Lift, a Victorian funicular railway built in 1908 to transport passengers between the promenade and the cliff top.