Bournemouth

Bournemouth Pier stands as a historic testament to the town’s Victorian-era origins as a seaside resort. While there has been a pier at Bournemouth since 1856, the structure that graces the shoreline today, stretching over 304 metres, was completed in the early 20th century. It remains the central focus of the beachfront, a grand and enduring symbol of traditional British coastal leisure. Today, the pier is all about action and great views. You can fuel up with a coffee and a pasty at the entrance before heading straight for the award-winning RockReef, an indoor adventure playground where you can tackle climbing walls or take a leap of faith. For the biggest rush, launch off the tower on the PierZip, the world's first pier-to-shore zip wire, soaring right over the waves. After all that, settle in at the Key West Bar & Restaurant at the pier's end. It’s the perfect spot to unwind with fantastic food, live music, and those unbeatable panoramic sea views.

Bournemouth Beach is one of the top attractions in town. The long stretch of Blue Flag certified beach met by the gentle waters of Poole Bay offers some of Britain’s best sunbathing and swimming. If lounging on the beach isn't enough, consider spiking a volleyball in a friendly match on the sand.

The Russell-Cotes family gave the spectacular East Cliff Hall building and its contents to the town in 1922. Built on the cliff overlooking the bay, the museum houses the family’s vast and precious collection including statues, paintings and Victorian canvases from all over the world.

The Pavilion, originally constructed in 1929 as a concert hall, underwent renovation in 1934 and reemerged as a theatre. Adorned in Art Deco style and supported by pillars of local Portland stone, it continues to host regular entertainment. Take the opportunity to experience one of the many shows here during your visit.

Transformed from meadows into formal gardens in the 1860s, the Bournemouth Central Gardens are a true reflection of Victorian aesthetic ideals. Today, this verdant oasis at the town's core serves as a hub for all sorts of summertime pursuits.

Hengistbury Head is a place of wild, ancient beauty and a stark lesson in conservation. For over 12,000 years, this headland has witnessed human activity, but its most dramatic scars are from the Victorian era. Between 1848 and 1870, industrial quarrying stripped the protective ironstone from its cliffs, causing the loss of a third of the land to the sea in just decades. Today, it’s a meticulously protected mosaic of heathland, grassland and coastline — an internationally significant Site of Special Scientific Interest where adders, skylarks and rare natterjack toads find refuge. Your first stop should be the Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a trail leaflet and learn to read the landscape’s hidden clues, from its deep archaeology to the ongoing work of the rangers who balance public access with preservation. For your visit, wear good shoes and prepare for spectacular, sweeping views over Christchurch Harbour, Bournemouth Bay and the Isle of Wight. You have two distinct experiences here: the rugged south-facing pebble beach beneath imposing clay cliffs, and the soft, sandy expanse of Mudeford Spit, famously lined with colourful beach huts. Hop on the charming land train from the Hiker Café for a gentle ride to the spit, where you can enjoy a café and more facilities.

Bournemouth, with its sandy beaches, is perfect for unwinding, and a visit to the delightful Oceana Day Spa naturally follows as the next step to shed the stress of daily life. Let the expert hands of dedicated professionals pamper you with a range of treatments including full body massages, pedicures, various facial treatments, as well as makeup and nail services.

St Peter's Church, a beautiful church located in the heart of Bournemouth, was designed by Victorian architect George Edmund Street. This church is one of Bournemouth's landmarks and has a 62-metre tower and gorgeous stained glass windows. What also makes this church special is that the author Mary Shelley, famous for her novel Frankenstein, is buried here with her family.