Things to Do in Bournemouth

Begin with the seafront

The beach is the main draw, and it runs for miles with a promenade beside it. Walking the front costs nothing, is level for most of its length and is simple to cut short or stretch out, which fits an hour with no fixed plan and no pressure to hurry.

Paths and steps link the sand to the clifftop, so you can choose between sea level and a wider outlook. The breeze off the water is stronger than it feels in the centre, so a light jacket is sensible even when the sky is clear.

Gardens between the centre and the shore

A long strip of gardens drops from the heart of town towards the sea, with lawns, flower beds and shaded benches. It is the nearest bit of greenery to the shopping streets, and it makes a gentle way to arrive at the beach on foot instead of by road. Mornings are quiet and early evenings are popular with people walking home.

Boscombe, Westbourne and Southbourne

Boscombe lies to the east and has its own stretch of seafront and a lively high street. Westbourne, out to the west, is a smaller shopping street with independent shops and cafes and the feel of a village. Southbourne, further east again, offers a quieter beach and a calmer pace.

Each can be reached from the middle by a brief bus or taxi journey, so you can pick one for a change of scene without losing the afternoon to travel.

When the weather turns

A resort town is used to rain. The centre has covered shopping arcades, cinemas and indoor leisure places, and the seafront has cafes where you can watch the waves from a dry seat. A grey afternoon here is still a perfectly good afternoon, and the sea looks its most dramatic in rough weather. Bring a spare layer, since the temperature drops quickly once the sun goes in.

Along the coast by train

Poole lies to the west and Christchurch to the east, both a short rail or bus ride away, with harbour views and quieter streets than the middle of Bournemouth. The railway also runs towards Southampton and London, so a longer day out is realistic if the timetable suits you. Find out when the final service leaves before you commit to a longer outing.

Getting around, and who this is for

The centre is easy to walk, and buses run along the coast between the bays. Parking is tight on sunny weekends, so a train or taxi is usually less trouble than a car. The site and the listings on it are meant solely for adults, which means you must be eighteen or over to use TheDirectory.