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Bournemouth Girl

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3 Day Itinerary In Bournemouth

If you are looking to plan a weekend in Bournemouth, then you have come to the right place! This 3-day Bournemouth itinerary will ensure that you have the best time in a beautiful, coastal town.

Having lived in Bournemouth since I was 5, I have grown up living close to the beach, exploring the nature and the town’s attractions. That’s why I love Bournemouth as you have the combination of the town and attractions, but then the beautiful nature reserves that are perfect for walking and living more mindfully.

Travelling To Bournemouth

Bournemouth is an easy to access town because the main train station is in walking distance from the town centre. You can catch a train from London Waterloo and arrive in Bournemouth in just an hour and 45 minutes.

Bournemouth has an airport that is a short taxi ride from the town centre. Moreover it is easily accessible by road (off the A31), no matter which direction you come from.

Day One

Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth is well known for its beautiful beach. There are miles of golden sands where you can sit and relax in the sunshine. Bournemouth beach has colourful beach huts that you can rent out. There are restaurants and amusements that you can stop in on your walk along the front. So the beach is a must see for anyone who is visiting.

Bournemouth Pier has indoor activities where you can do the Clip n’ Climb – a choice of climbing walls for you to scale, a Vertical Slide drop for adrenaline junkies, Leap of Faith, Highline and the Pier Cave.

Outside, there is a Zip Pier, which is the world’s first pier-to-shore zip wire, a 250 metre dual zip line; this is an unforgettable activity for thrill seekers!

Bournemouth beach huts with a sea view

Mini Golf In Bournemouth Gardens

There is an 18 hole mini course in the heart of the Lower gardens between Bournemouth Pier and the town centre. This course includes 12 accessible holes which are suitable for people with reduced mobility or those who use a wheelchair. This is a fun activity for people with a competitive streak!

Afternoon Tea

The Bournemouth Westcliff Hotel is a gorgeous building where I have had the pleasure of a brunch experience with loved ones.

They serve afternoon tea every day from 2pm to 5pm in their lounge setting. You get a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, an assortment of sweet treats and unlimited tea or filter coffee. For those of you who prefer something slightly stronger, for a fee you can upgrade to bottomless prosecco!

For a lighter bite, they offer a cream tea which comprises of two scones with cream and jam along with unlimited tea and coffee.

Day Two

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

East Cliff Hall was the home of Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes. The building of East Cliff Hall began in 1897 and was completed in its original form in 1901.

You can explore the house, garden and gallery. You can soak up all the history and culture of the beautiful art work, décor and rooms in the house as well as visit the gift shop where you can purchase a souvenir of your visit.

The Russell Cotes Museum Gardens. Flowers and pretty garden ornaments.

Pit stop at Flirt Café – Take the weight off!

This recently renovated café is based in The Triangle and has been a favourite of mine for a long time. They offer a range of things to eat and drink, which you will enjoy in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils have actually been awarded 23 Green Flags which recognise and reward well managed parks and green spaces, which includes Hengistbury Head. Hengistbury Head has also achieved the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation.

You can ride on the land train from the Hiker Café down to Mudeford, enjoy the beaches and stop at the Visitor Centre where you can pick up environmentally-friendly souvenirs.

Indulge In Some Shopping

In Bournemouth, we are fortunate to have a large selection of shops for you to browse, or even treat yourself to an item or 2! There are shops ranging from clothes, shoes, stationery, books, gadgets and much more.

Enjoy Dinner At Coté Brasserie

The Cote is a French restaurant based in the town centre. Here, you can enjoy the regional specialities and traditional classics – there is something for everyone. It has a modern and luxurious feel. Having eaten there before, I highly recommend a visit for dinner.

Day Three

Bottomless Brunch at Schpoons & Forx

Schpoons and Forx is based at the Hilton Bournemouth, which is only a short walk from the beach. They offer a bottomless brunch every Saturday with their new menu and a selection of bottomless beverages: Prosecco, Rose Prosecco, Aperol or Elderflower Spritz – something to suit all tastes; the perfect way to start your day.

Oceanarium

The Oceanarium is the Bournemouth Aquarium situated on the beach front and is suitable for all ages and is wheelchair accessible. There are daily animal talks and feeds, interactive creature experiences and plenty of information available for you to learn about a variety of creatures.

This attraction is very popular with families and young children. There is an offshore café and a gift shop for you to enjoy.

An under water oceanarium photograph of different fish

Bournemouth Gardens

The Lower, Central and Upper Gardens are around 3 kilometres long with a large range of scenery and activities to explore.

The Lower Gardens have attractions such as: mini golf, art exhibition and an aviary. The Central Gardens have beautiful flowers, a lovely pergola which stands over the bridge, the War Memorial, tennis courts and a café.

The Upper Gardens have a more natural feel. When you walk through the gardens, you will see several little, red bridges that cross the stream. The gardens lead to ornamental rockeries and Coy Pond.

Bournemouth gardens, the river that runs through the gardens and the Pavilion building

Odeon Cinema

If you fancy catching the latest films, you could head to the BH2 Leisure Complex, which is the relatively new home to the Odeon cinema.

Sit back and relax in the reclining chairs and enjoy a huge selection of sweet treats and snacks

LEVEL8IGHT – The Sky Bar

Level8ight is the highest bar in the South West. You can admire the dramatic coastal views from Hilton Bournemouth’s 8th floor. You can enjoy fine wines, cocktails, premium spirits, or even a delicious afternoon tea. Get glammed up and enjoy an evening in Bournemouth’s night life.

This is a 3 day itinerary, which will show you what an amazing seaside town like Bournemouth has to offer. Whatever the weather and season there is plenty of fun and interesting things to do in Bournemouth. Come and see for yourself!

Have you ever visited Bournemouth? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. ThePlainSimpleLife says

    My best friend from school moved to Bournemouth when we were 14 and I went with her and her family to be with her for the first few weeks. I remember going to the beautiful beach but I don’t really remember much else of what we did! I’ve always wanted to go back though, so I’ll keep your post until I do 😊

    Vourneen – http://www.theplainsimplelife.com

    Reply

  7. glowsteady says

    This sounds like such a lovely way to spend a few days! The gardens look beautiful. I’ve never been to Bournemouth, it was one of my backup choices for uni but never actually made it down. I’d love to visit x

    Sophie

    Reply

  9. Ruth says

    I have never been to Bournemouth before but it looks so pretty. I would love to visit there one day. Your photos look amazing by the way! Thank you so much for sharing x

    Reply

  10. cherbelle says

    Bournemouth beach looks so stunning! Reminds me of Muizenberg beach here in Cape Town ! Great post for visiting amazing places in just three days.

    Reply

  11. Lisa's Notebook says

    We went to Bournemouth years ago when Flora was a lot younger but I have vivid memories of the beach, gardens and Oceanarium – next time we’ll have to check out some of those fab food stops too! x

    Reply

  12. readandreviewit1 says

    Fab suggestions! I’ve never visited Bournemouth before but it looks lovely – I’d love to visit some day. The beach, museum and shopping have all particularly intrigued me – now that sounds like my kind of trip! Thank you so much for sharing x

    Reply

  16. Jaya Avendel says

    By starting with the beach, Bournemouth sounds so delightful and fresh and lovely to me! I love the idea of seeing new places and reveling not only in the sights and attractions, but also the food and people and atmosphere.

    Cream tea with scones and jam sounds delicious, and the gardens sound beautiful. I have visited Gardens in Melbourne, Australia, and Tucson, Arizona, and have been amazed every time by the outlay of each place and the different forms of plant life.
    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  18. Alicia Thompson says

    Hello Lauren, this is a great post! I have never visited Bournemouth but it sounds lovely. Thanks for sharing a great post. Alicia

    Reply

  22. anneliesemdk says

    Thanks for including information about wheelchair accessibility. i was wondering if you know whether the art museum and/or aquarium feature audio tour assistance for blind tourists?

    Reply

  24. Ellie says

    Bournemouth sounds great! I want to go right now just for the zipline! I think I’d like the nature reserve too, and the sky bar sounds cool!

    Reply

  27. Nyxinked says

    I would love to visit Bournemouth! I’ve never been anywhere in England other than London (once), and this would be a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city.

    Reply

  30. Caroline says

    I love this guide! I feel like I should have done more of these things from living in Bournemouth 🤣 I do love the mini-golf in the gardens though 🙂 x

    Reply

  31. thetravelvine says

    What a cracking guide! I went to Bournemouth many years ago and only had 24 hours here, but really enjoyed it. Do they still have the huge deck chair on Bournemouth beach? I loved the cute and colourful beach huts, and especially the Russell-Cotes museum 🙂 I’d love to try the bar at the top of the Hilton you mentioned with the great views, and the afternoon tea at the Westcliffe Hotel sounds divine 🙂

    Reply

    • bournemouthgirl says

      I can’t say I have seen it. But we now have the big wheel that you can go up in which is super fun. I have been on it a couple of times. I have had brunch at west cliff hotel, it is beautiful. Thank you for reading and commenting.

      Reply

  38. Unwanted Life says

    Wait, Bournemouth has an airport? Like a proper commercial airport or one for people who own their own planes? I’ve never been to Bournemouth, but if I don’t, I’d love to check out the Sky Bar

    Reply

  41. Jordanne || Ofaglasgowgirl says

    I’ve always wanted to go to Bournemouth, especially as a friend of mine now lives near Durley beach, it would be great to visit and see everything. This is such a great itinerary and we’ll put together. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  43. sunshinesarahxo says

    Funnily enough I’m in Bournemouth right now! 😂😊 It’s an amazing place and the only other place I could ever see myself living other than Harrogate x

    Reply

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