Sandy beaches, cliff walks, tree trails and city history offer different ways to plan a trip to Bournemouth. At Bournemouth Beach, beautiful sandy shores go hand in hand with walking paths along the cliffs. Self-guided trails explore the Bournemouth Gardens and the architecture and history of the town centre. Other highlights include artworks and artefacts from the collections, a historic parish church and a tunnel exhibit at the Oceanarium. You can tailor your stay to the coast, gardens or culture.
Beach, cliffs and Bournemouth Pier
At Bournemouth Beach, sandy shores and walking paths along the cliffs offer two different ways to enjoy the coast. If you want to go for a walk, there are paths along the cliffs; the beach itself offers a different focus. Cycling is permitted year-round between Bournemouth Pier and Boscombe Pier. As of September 2026, pedestrians have priority on this route. Bear this in mind if you plan to cycle there. The cycling rule applies to the section between the two piers; spending time on the beach and walking along the cliffs are other coastal options. Bournemouth Pier is also a historic landmark: the new pier was opened in August 1880 by the Lord Mayor of London.
Self-guided trails and tree species
The Tree Trail is a self-guided walk through the Bournemouth Gardens. The Bournemouth Cultural Trail is also self-guided and explores the town centre: along the High Street, it passes unique architecture and notable buildings that tell the story of Bournemouth. The two walks differ mainly in their focus: the Tree Trail centres on gardens and trees, while the Cultural Trail focuses on architecture and town history. The Bournemouth Upper Gardens are home to many unusual tree species, including a North American giant sequoia thought to be the largest in the country, as well as a group of mature Persian ironwood trees.
Art, architectural history and the Oceanarium
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum regularly hosts exhibitions featuring artworks and artefacts from its extensive collections. St Peter's Church is Bournemouth’s historic Grade I listed parish church. These offer different cultural interests side by side: regular exhibitions drawn from a collection and a historic church building. The Cultural Trail adds another option with a walk that connects architecture and town history. Bournemouth Oceanarium is home to Shark Wreck Reef, a walk-through shipwreck-themed tunnel exhibit featuring coral and 350,000 litres of salt water.
Search for hotels based on your travel interests
When looking for a hotel in Bournemouth, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your trip. Are you mainly interested in the beach and cliff walks, self-guided trails, or art, architecture and history? These interests offer different starting points for planning, without prescribing a fixed order for your visits. Bournemouth Oceanarium is next to Bournemouth Pier, right on the beach and about a five-minute walk from the town centre. This approximate walking time gives you a useful reference point for finding your way between the town centre and the coast.
Discover more destinations: Winterbourne Abbas, Sherborne, Sandford, Worth Matravers, Shillingstone, Gillingham, Thorncombe, Toller Porcorum.
See the broader travel guide: Dorset.
