Best attractions in Bournemouth

This selection highlights Bournemouth’s Victorian heritage and specialized horticultural displays. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum houses a vast collection of global artifacts within a preserved 19th-century villa. Along the seafront, the Victorian pier serves as a landmark for coastal activities. The town’s botanical diversity is represented by the Alum Chine Tropical Garden, which utilizes a unique microclimate for exotic species, and the extensive municipal Rock Garden constructed from Purbeck stone.

Bournemouth's Best — Map

LordHarris / CC BY 2.5

A

Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

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

B

Bournemouth Pier

Victorian-era structure opened in 1880. It features a zip wire, an indoor activity center, and seasonal boat excursions across the English Channel.

C

Alum Chine Tropical Garden

Established in the 1920s on a sheltered cliffside. Its specific microclimate supports a variety of exotic species, including palms and bananas.

D

Rock Garden

One of the largest municipal rock gardens in the UK. Constructed using Purbeck stone, it features alpine plant species and small waterfalls near the Pavilion.

E

Argyll Gardens

Cliff-top space featuring traditional bowling greens and tennis courts overlooking the coast at Alum Chine.

Other Lists

Bournemouth Essentials Scenic Parks & Viewpoints Bournemouth Coastal Leisure