Bournemouth - What you need to know before you go - Go Guides

Bournemouth is among Britain's best-loved seaside towns. The star attraction is unquestionably its stretch of soft, sandy beach, which buzzes with laid-back locals and sun-seeking out-of-towners throughout the warm summer months. The iconic Bournemouth Pier offers all manner of kitsch seaside fun, with retro amusement arcades, colourful souvenir shops and tempting ice-cream stalls.

The local nightlife is legendary, with a host of buzzing beachfront bars and pulsing clubs to crawl between until the early hours. And if you're craving a culture fix, swing by the Russell-Cotes Museum, an elegant Victorian villa filled with astonishing art.

What to see & do in Bournemouth

Featured stories & fun stuff

10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Bournemouth
A romantic trip to Bournemouth offers the opportunity to relax in a classic English coastal resort town with spas, islands, museums, galleries and cocktail lounges. Here you can enjoy scenic seashores with stunning natural rock formations, cliffside views and, of...
10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Bournemouth
9 Best Things to Do in Bournemouth
Bournemouth is renowned for offering some of the best things to do at a modern British seaside resort. Many similar cities have sadly fallen into decline by desperately clinging to past glories, but Bournemouth has managed to move with the...
9 Best Things to Do in Bournemouth
9 Things to Do in Bournemouth When it Rains
Bournemouth is one of the UK’s most vibrant and popular beach resorts, with its beautiful stretch of sandy coastline, its...
9 Things to Do in Bournemouth When it Rains
10 Things to Do with Your Family in Bournemouth
Bournemouth is one of England's most charming seaside towns, thanks to its iconic pier and striking beaches, alongside a variety...
10 Things to Do with Your Family in Bournemouth
10 Money-Saving Tips in Bournemouth
Wondering how to enjoy Bournemouth with a small budget? Boasting the best beaches in Britain, Bournemouth is a brilliant destination...
10 Money-Saving Tips in Bournemouth

Where & what to eat in Bournemouth

10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Bournemouth
Looking for Bournemouth’s best local food scenes? Whether it’s a cool café serving good old British fare or interesting joints in the surrounding districts that are big hits with their all-day breakfasts, Bournemouth has a wide variety of hot spots...
10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Bournemouth
10 Great Restaurants in Bournemouth
The great restaurants in Bournemouth offer anything from fresh seafood and fine dining to international flavours or a traditional English menu. This lovely seaside town sits along 7 miles of the beautiful Dorset coastline and is a popular beach destination...
10 Great Restaurants in Bournemouth

Where to shop & what to buy in Bournemouth

10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Bournemouth
Bournemouth's shops attract droves of visitors to England’s south coast throughout the year. Although the town’s beloved beaches and outdoor experiences remain at the top of every traveller's to-do list, Bournemouth also offers exceptional places to shop that heighten any visit. Featuring sprawling department stores, laid-back shopping streets and pop-up boutiques, there’s no shortage of shopping destinations that appeal to every...
Read more

Where to go & what to do at night in Bournemouth

10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Bournemouth
Bournemouth has many exceptional restaurants for a family dinner or romantic couple’s night, but what can you do to top off the evening? Fortunately, the city has an abundance of post-sunset activities to ensure the fun doesn’t stop. Whether you want a few laughs at a comedy club, a swanky night at a club, or a thrilling virtual-reality adventure with aliens...
Read more

Useful information

10 Money-Saving Tips in Bournemouth
Wondering how to enjoy Bournemouth with a small budget? Boasting the best beaches in Britain, Bournemouth is a brilliant destination for sunseekers. But the UK isn’t exactly known for being a budget-friendly destination, so how does a beach bum or...
10 Money-Saving Tips in Bournemouth
Bournemouth Travel Essentials
Our Bournemouth Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to one of the most popular destinations in the County of Dorset, England. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always...
Bournemouth Travel Essentials

5 Best Activities and Stops in Bournemouth

5 Best Activities and Stops in Bournemouth

Browse Bournemouth by category

Where to stay in Bournemouth

Terrace/patio

for 1 night

includes taxes & fees

Start planning your trip

Also popular in United Kingdom

Brighton
Brighton
Cambridge
Cambridge
Oxford
Oxford
Bath
Bath

Keep exploring

England

United Kingdom