Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Bournemouth
The best holidays are planned around great days out. Here's what's on the doorstep in Bournemouth, from big-ticket attractions to rainy-day savers.
Showing museums, aquariums and attractions with indoor areas — the ones that work whatever the forecast.
🎟️ This weekend near Bournemouth
Events from
Skiddle
Fri 13 Nov · 19:30
Comedy At The Fishermans Haunt
The Fishermans Haunt, Christchurch · 5.7 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 19:30
National Dance Company Wales presents Blue | Glas
Pavillion Dance South West, Bournemouth · 0.3 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 20:00
Feel Free Friday
Canvas, Bournemouth · 0.3 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 12:00
Poole Audio Tour: Bridges, Beacons, and Baden-Powell
Poole Methodist Church, Poole · 4.5 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Aquariums
0.3 mi from Bournemouth
Oceanarium
The Oceanarium is a tropical aquarium on Bournemouth's seafront, home to sharks, a loggerhead turtle, otters, jellyfish, clownfish and a colony of Humboldt penguins. You can walk t...
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Museums & Galleries
0.5 mi from Bournemouth
Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The Russell-Cotes Museum is an art gallery and museum in Bournemouth, England. A Grade II* listed building originally known as East Cliff Hall, it is located on the top of the East... — Wikipedia
1.7 mi from Bournemouth
Museum Of Design In Plastics
The Museum of Design in Plastics sits on the first floor of the Arts University Bournemouth library, reached by lift, and houses a specialist collection tracing plastics design fro...
4.2 mi from Bournemouth
Bournemouth Aviation Museum
Bournemouth Aviation Museum is a volunteer-run, self-funding charitable trust near Bournemouth Airport, offering a hands-on experience where visitors of all ages can climb into the...
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4.7 mi from Bournemouth
Poole Museum
Poole Museum is a maritime museum, gallery and cultural centre, situated on the Lower High Street in the Old Town area of Poole, Dorset, and is owned by Bournemouth, Christchurch a... — Wikipedia
4.7 mi from Bournemouth
Scaplens Court Museum
15th century Grade I listed house in Poole, Dorset, England, UK, used as a museum
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7 mi from Bournemouth
Friends of the New Forest Airfields
Friends of the New Forest Airfields is a heritage centre in Sopley, New Forest, Dorset, dedicated to preserving the aviation heritage of the New Forest and honouring those who serv...
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7.3 mi from Bournemouth
Museum of East Dorset
The Museum of East Dorset is a historic house museum in the heart of Wimborne, found opposite the Minster church. Inside you can explore themed exhibitions and collections, includi...
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8.3 mi from Bournemouth
Swanage Museum & Heritage Centre
Swanage Museum & Heritage Centre tells the story of Swanage and the wider Purbeck area, from the Victorian stone trade that built the town through to its transformation into a seas...
9.1 mi from Bournemouth
Durlston Castle
Durlston Castle stands within Durlston Country Park, a 1.13 square-kilometre (280-acre) country park and nature reserve stretching along the coastline south of Swanage, on the Isle... — Wikipedia
9.3 mi from Bournemouth
Langton Matravers Museum of the Stone Industry
Museum in Langton Matravers, Dorset, England, UK
9.4 mi from Bournemouth
Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum
The Purbeck Mining Museum tells the story of Purbeck Ball Clay mining and its narrow gauge railways, housed in the last underground mine building that worked in Purbeck. You can st...
9.6 mi from Bournemouth
Sammy Miller Museum
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum sits in the heart of the New Forest near Bournemouth, Dorset, and is home to around 500 rare and exotic motorcycles from all over the world. The...
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10.3 mi from Bournemouth
Wareham Town Museum
Wareham Town Museum tells the story of the Wareham area of Dorset in southern England from prehistoric times to the present day, with a special exhibition on Lawrence of Arabia, wh... — Wikipedia
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10.4 mi from Bournemouth
Blue Pool
The Blue Pool is a nature reserve and tearooms set within the 300-acre Furzebrook Estate near Wareham on the Isle of Purbeck. Once a 17th-century clay pit, it filled with rainwater...
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10.8 mi from Bournemouth
Museum, Fossils & Local Finds
This small museum at the Square and Compass pub showcases over 60 years of fossil and archaeological collecting from the Purbeck area. You'll see marine reptile fossils such as Ich...
Theme Parks
9.2 mi from Bournemouth
Dorset Adventure Park
Dorset Adventure Park is an outdoor activity park set across 18 acres of woodland near Corfe Castle, built around two lakes. You can take on the inflatable waterpark with its float...
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21.4 mi from Bournemouth
Paultons Park
Paultons Park is a large family theme park set within 140 acres of parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire. There's plenty to do, from rollercoasters and...
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25.6 mi from Bournemouth
Sandworld
Sandworld is a sand sculpture festival set in Lodmoor Park in Weymouth, Dorset, where internationally renowned artists carve giant sculptures from sand and water alone, with new de...
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Where to stay near Bournemouth
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Bournemouth
Itineraries
- A weekend in Bournemouth: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Bournemouth with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Bournemouth · 2 days
Haunted Britain
Bournemouth works well as a base for days out across Dorset and beyond. Within reach of a stay here you'll find wildlife parks, steam railways, small specialist museums and a string of stately homes. The trick is to group attractions by area so you spend your time enjoying them rather than travelling between them. Here's how to plan it.
Standout attractions by type
Family favourites. Closest to home are Bournemouth Aviary and New Forest Water Park, both listed in Bournemouth itself. Further afield, Hampshire has two big hitters for younger children: Peppa Pig World, a theme park, and Marwell Zoo. If your children like animals, Fancy's Family Farm in Weymouth is another option worth adding to the list.
Rainy day options. When the weather turns, the region's museums come into their own. Swanage has the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, the Swanage Railway Museum and the Corfe Castle Town Trust Museum. Elsewhere in Dorset you'll find the Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre, Tyneham School, the Blandford Fashion Museum and the Blandford Town Museum. These smaller venues suit a slower pace, so it's worth checking opening days before you set off.
Outdoors. For time in the fresh air, the animal attractions are your best bet. Bournemouth Aviary, Fancy's Family Farm and Marwell Zoo all make for a day on your feet. Blue Pool in Poole is another listed attraction to consider. Bring layers and waterproofs whatever the forecast.
Heritage. The area is rich in grand houses. Look out for Highcliffe Castle and Longford Castle, and stately homes including Somerley, Breamore House, Cranborne Manor, Avon Tyrrell House, Trafalgar House and Clarendon House. Access to private houses can be limited, so confirm visiting arrangements directly before you plan a day around one. Rail enthusiasts and history lovers might also head into Wiltshire for The Rifles Museum.
Grouping attractions into a sensible day
The easiest way to plan is by area. A few combinations that make sense:
- A Bournemouth day: pair Bournemouth Aviary with New Forest Water Park. Both are listed in Bournemouth, so travel is kept to a minimum.
- A Swanage day: combine the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, the Swanage Railway Museum and the Corfe Castle Town Trust Museum for a good wet-weather plan.
- A Hampshire day: choose either Peppa Pig World or Marwell Zoo. Each is likely to fill most of a day with children, so don't try to squeeze in both.
- A Dorset museums day: visit the Blandford Fashion Museum and the Blandford Town Museum together, then add the Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre or Tyneham School if time allows.
- An Isle of Wight day: the island has its own cluster, made up of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Train Story, the Isle of Wight Glass Museum and the West Wight Heritage Centre. Treat this as a dedicated outing and plan your crossing in advance.
Where to eat
A few local spots hold 5-star food hygiene ratings, which is reassuring when you're feeding a family:
- The Holes Bay and The Bear Cross, both pubs and inns, for a sit-down meal after a day out.
- Village Bakery, for picking up picnic supplies or a morning pastry.
- Starbucks, for a quick coffee stop.
- Redhill Park Cafe, an ice cream and creamery spot that makes a good treat for children.
Check opening hours ahead, particularly outside the main holiday season.
Turning it into a short break
BritStays lists 340 places to stay in the Bournemouth region, so you have plenty of choice whatever your group size or budget. A three-day break might look like this:
- Day one: keep it local with Bournemouth Aviary and New Forest Water Park, then dinner at one of the pubs.
- Day two: head to Hampshire for Marwell Zoo or Peppa Pig World.
- Day three: choose by weather. Visit the Swanage museums if it's wet, or a stately home such as Highcliffe Castle or Breamore House if it's dry.
With a longer stay, add an Isle of Wight day or a Dorset heritage loop taking in Tyneham School and the Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre.
Practical tips before you go
Book theme parks and zoos ahead in school holidays, as this often helps with entry and planning. Check opening days for the smaller museums and heritage houses, since many keep limited hours. Keep a rainy-day plan in your back pocket, and the Swanage museums are a reliable one. Finally, pick a stay that suits the days you have in mind. Base yourself centrally if you want to mix Bournemouth, Dorset and Hampshire outings without long journeys at either end of the day.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best family attractions near Bournemouth?
Bournemouth Aviary and New Forest Water Park are both in Bournemouth. In Hampshire, Peppa Pig World and Marwell Zoo are popular with families, and Fancy's Family Farm in Weymouth is another animal-themed option.
What can I do around Bournemouth on a rainy day?
Museums are a good choice. Swanage has the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, the Swanage Railway Museum and the Corfe Castle Town Trust Museum. Elsewhere in Dorset you'll find the Blandford Fashion Museum, the Blandford Town Museum, Tyneham School and the Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre.
Are there stately homes and castles to visit near Bournemouth?
Yes. Options include Highcliffe Castle, Longford Castle, Somerley, Breamore House, Cranborne Manor, Avon Tyrrell House, Trafalgar House and Clarendon House. Check visiting arrangements directly before you go.
Can I combine Bournemouth with an Isle of Wight day trip?
Yes, as a dedicated day. The Isle of Wight has the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Train Story, the Isle of Wight Glass Museum and the West Wight Heritage Centre, which group together well.
Where can I eat near Bournemouth with a 5-star hygiene rating?
The Holes Bay and The Bear Cross are pubs and inns, Village Bakery is a bakery, Starbucks is good for a coffee stop and Redhill Park Cafe serves ice cream. All hold 5-star hygiene ratings.
How many places to stay are there in the Bournemouth region?
BritStays lists 340 places to stay in the Bournemouth region, giving you plenty of choice for a short break.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Bournemouth.