Bournemouth

Travel Guide
Durdle Door featuring a pebble beach, a sunset and rocky coastline
With seven miles of award winning golden sandy beaches, Bournemouth has a holiday atmosphere all year round. With boutique hotels and B&B’s attracting more visitors each year, and with plenty to see and do in this gorgeous Dorset seaside town, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Bournemouth.

Bournemouth’s award winning gardens are split into three areas of Victorian beauty. The Lower Gardens adjacent to the sea, the Central Gardens within the town centre and the picturesque Upper Gardens. The Lower Gardens contain the iconic Bournemouth Balloon, a great place to sightsee, if you have a head for heights.

You may want to visit Bournemouth during one of its many festivals, or enjoy it in the off season and avoid the festival crowds. Notable Bournemouth festivals include the Bournemouth Air Festival, the Bournemouth Bay Run and the annual Food & Drink Festival. A visit to one of these festivals will help contribute to your overall Bournemouth experience.

Take the family to Oceanarium, a great place to visit with lots of animals to discover, including sharks, turtles and otters. With knowledgeable and entertaining visitor guides available to take you around, you’re bound to have a brilliant and educational day out here.

Dorset

Take the opportunity and use Bournemouth as a base to explore the rest of Dorset. Dorset is a county of great beauty one of the many maritime counties in Southern England located along the English Channel. The Dorset coastline stretches as far as Lyme Regis in the west and Christchurch in the east.

If you are a fan of great literature you will be interested to know that Dorset is the birth place of Thomas Hardy and also his final resting place. Lyme Regis was also a favourite holiday haunt of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Explore Hardy Country

Visitors to Dorset can take in Thomas Hardy country, located within the Dorset Hills. Follow Thomas Hardy’s story from his place of birth, his home and then onto his final resting place. Along the way you will see the landscapes and see what inspired Thomas Hardy in his writing.

Take a Step Back in Time

Located in Bovington is the incredible Tank Museum: a collection of armoured vehicles that includes everything from the first tanks ever built to the latest heavily armoured vehicles. It really is like taking a walk through history. The collection tells the story of armoured warfare from the First World War to the present day. Aside from the vehicles there are talking heads giving first-hand accounts from those who fought in them.

Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorchester is also well worth a visit. The lakes are tranquil and beautiful, with stunning sculptures to match. With picnic areas available, take the opportunity to spend the day relaxing in these incredible surroundings.

Where to stay in Bournemouth

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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
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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
The price is €56 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
€56
per night
4 Apr - 5 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 our 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
The price is €76 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
€76
per night
14 Apr - 15 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 our ...
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 €89 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
€89
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Bournemouth. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
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.
Stunning Panoramic Sea View Beach Location 2 bed
Stunning Panoramic Sea View Beach Location 2 bed
bournemouth
Stay at this apartment in Bournemouth. Enjoy onsite parking, a balcony, and a TV. Popular attractions Southbourne Beach and Boscombe Beach are located nearby. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (6 reviews)
"Host responsive, property spacious, bright, warm and with an amazing view!!!"

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2024

Stunning Panoramic Sea View Beach Location 2 bed
Hidden Gem - Luxury Apt mins to High St. & Beaches
Hidden Gem - Luxury Apt mins to High St. & Beaches
Southbourne
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Bournemouth. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions Bournemouth Beach and Boscombe Beach ...
10/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
A True Hidden Gem
"We spent a lovely few days in Hidden Gem, the apartment was immaculate and very well appointed, even down to having a hairdryer and straighteners in each bedroom! The welcome pack was much appreciated but there are also plenty of shops and eateries on the doorstep. It was great to be a short walk ..."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2023

Hidden Gem - Luxury Apt mins to High St. & Beaches
Luxury large 2 bed flat. Sea views & private terrace. Parking. 5 min beach
Luxury large 2 bed flat. Sea views & private terrace. Parking. 5 min beach
Boscombe
Stay at this apartment in Bournemouth. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Boscombe Pier and Coastal Activity Park ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Luxury stay
"On arrival, the beautiful building itself makes a great impression.The apartment is spacious and very comfortable with a stunning sea view. The owners have added many touches to ensure a warm welcome and were always quick to respond helpfully to any queries. It is conveniently located within an easy ..."

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2024

Luxury large 2 bed flat. Sea views & private terrace. Parking. 5 min beach
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