Guidebook for Bournemouth
Shopping
The Crooked Book
725 Christchurch RdQuirky book shop great coffee
Great indoor vintage emporium beatifully laid out with clothes, jewellery, furniture, ornaments. Also serves delicious cakes and teas/coffees.
Bournemouth Vintage Emporium
1172-1180 Christchurch RdGreat indoor vintage emporium beatifully laid out with clothes, jewellery, furniture, ornaments. Also serves delicious cakes and teas/coffees.
Drinks & Nightlife
Monty's Lounge
926-928 Christchurch RdQuirky bar with great burgers walking distance to house
Ludo Lounge
34 Southbourne GroveLarge bar/restaurant with fairly good priced food and drinks
Chaplin's & The Cellar Bar
529 Christchurch Rdlive music small pub/bar
Urban Beach - Boutique Hotel
23 Argyll Rdnice bar and restaurant
The Wight Bear
65 Southbourne GroveQuirky small ale house
Great new location. Great atmosphere is going to be a big hit. Eclectic mix of "brewed on site" and cool decor
46 locals recommend
Brewhouse & Kitchen - Southbourne
147 Parkwood RdGreat new location. Great atmosphere is going to be a big hit. Eclectic mix of "brewed on site" and cool decor
great cocktails and live music chilled friendly atmosphere but dress up a bit as its a little smart
25 locals recommend
1812
37 Exeter Rdgreat cocktails and live music chilled friendly atmosphere but dress up a bit as its a little smart
fun and easy going big place on sea front. Dj's and music and lots of drinks and fairly good affordable food
54 locals recommend
Aruba
Pier Approachfun and easy going big place on sea front. Dj's and music and lots of drinks and fairly good affordable food
Smokin' Aces
103 Commercial RdWhisky bar. Live music. Quirky.
Halo
Exeter RoadIn a converted church. Great music and great location
Nightclub in old fire station. Young crowd with eclectic mix of music. Fun and busy atmosphere
6 locals recommend
Old Fire Station
36 Holdenhurst RdNightclub in old fire station. Young crowd with eclectic mix of music. Fun and busy atmosphere
Chain bar but nicely done. Fun atmosphere lots of people. Comfort food if wanted! lots of cocktails
Revolucion de Cuba
163-167 Old Christchurch RdChain bar but nicely done. Fun atmosphere lots of people. Comfort food if wanted! lots of cocktails
lively pub with frequent live music and beer garden. "proper" english pub no messing about!
37 locals recommend
The Thomas Tripp
10 Wick Lnlively pub with frequent live music and beer garden. "proper" english pub no messing about!
A friendly, family welcome pub for locals at Worth Matravers. Undoubtedly a true gem in the heart of Dorset! This tiny tine pub is really great. Around 1776, it became an alehouse, owned by Wareham brewer cum clay merchant, under the sign of The Sloop. There were connections with smuggling, including skirmishes with excise men at St Aldhelms Head.
92 locals recommend
The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversA friendly, family welcome pub for locals at Worth Matravers. Undoubtedly a true gem in the heart of Dorset! This tiny tine pub is really great. Around 1776, it became an alehouse, owned by Wareham brewer cum clay merchant, under the sign of The Sloop. There were connections with smuggling, including skirmishes with excise men at St Aldhelms Head.
Elegant contempoary but relaxed. Great for an evening quiet drink in a beautiful setting. They also have live music some nights and good for food
48 locals recommend
Club Restaurant at Captain's Club Hotel
Wick LaneElegant contempoary but relaxed. Great for an evening quiet drink in a beautiful setting. They also have live music some nights and good for food
Soho is a welcoming and stylish restaurant-café. Great for an evening drink after or before dinner. Good pizza
15 locals recommend
Soho
7 Church StSoho is a welcoming and stylish restaurant-café. Great for an evening drink after or before dinner. Good pizza
Food Scene
The Larder House
4 Southbourne Grovebest food in Southbourne we think!
Cafe Boscanova
650 Christchurch Rdfood and coffee
Urban Reef - Seafront Restaurant in Bournemouth
Undercliff Driveamazing food great atmosphere!
Baffi Pizza
61 Southbourne GroveNice pizza place
James and White
17 Church Stgood food relaxed atmosphere. live music
Our favourite place to go and eat in Christchurch fun for drinks too and often live music. Try the champagne bar upstairs for some class!
120 locals recommend
The Boathouse
Quay RoadOur favourite place to go and eat in Christchurch fun for drinks too and often live music. Try the champagne bar upstairs for some class!
Does exactly what it says INDULGE!!! literally sells cakes ice cream and all things yum! open late
Indulge Yourself
64 High StDoes exactly what it says INDULGE!!! literally sells cakes ice cream and all things yum! open late
Jazz Cafe
28 Shore Rdgreat spot after a long cycle. Live jazz on Sundays. nice food.
WestBeach
Right on the sea front. Great fish and live music. Very classy
New Board Game Cafe specialising in barrista grade coffee and social board games. Open till 11pm
Coffee And Dice
New Board Game Cafe specialising in barrista grade coffee and social board games. Open till 11pm
A quirky café bistro located in the historic quarter of Christchurch on the cobbles leading up to Christchurch Priory. Good food.
7 locals recommend
Cheese & Alfies
10 Church StA quirky café bistro located in the historic quarter of Christchurch on the cobbles leading up to Christchurch Priory. Good food.
PURE Cuisine, at 58 High Street, will provide a mixture of vegan and vegetarian meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, and both sweet and savoury afternoon teas.
PURE Fusion Food & Coffee Lounge
166A Tuckton RdPURE Cuisine, at 58 High Street, will provide a mixture of vegan and vegetarian meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, and both sweet and savoury afternoon teas.
A stylish bistro in the heart of the town, Loch & Quay Christchurch is committed to local produce. The menu of sharing platters, fresh fish favourites and hearty
10 locals recommend
Loch & Quay
24 Church StA stylish bistro in the heart of the town, Loch & Quay Christchurch is committed to local produce. The menu of sharing platters, fresh fish favourites and hearty
Everything Else
Clobber
918-920 Christchurch RdAce vintage shop
Parks & Nature
Beautiful headland to walk along and stunning views of Christchurch town and water and great beaches. Lovely cafe on the end.
91 locals recommend
Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre
BroadwayBeautiful headland to walk along and stunning views of Christchurch town and water and great beaches. Lovely cafe on the end.
King's Park Drive
King's Park Drivenice park for a stroll leads to Bournemouth FC
beautiful island a short boat from Sandbanks or Poole. See the famous red squirrels
204 locals recommend
Brownsea Island
beautiful island a short boat from Sandbanks or Poole. See the famous red squirrels
Studland Naturist Beach
Stunning beach with a very laid back feel. Great views
Bournemouth Parks - Lower Gardens
Beautiful gardens in the heart of the city
Durdle Door is a world famous geological wonder, with its massive rock arch, made of limestone, set right on the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth. It is a definite must see and the walks around this area are stunning! Ask us for suggested routes to walk
403 locals recommend
Durdle Door
Durdle Door is a world famous geological wonder, with its massive rock arch, made of limestone, set right on the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth. It is a definite must see and the walks around this area are stunning! Ask us for suggested routes to walk
Here, at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, the white chalk of Handfast Point and Old Harry Rocks gleams brightly in the sun. Passing boats and walkers stop to admire the amazing views. Real walkers treat!
152 locals recommend
Old Harry Rocks
Here, at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, the white chalk of Handfast Point and Old Harry Rocks gleams brightly in the sun. Passing boats and walkers stop to admire the amazing views. Real walkers treat!
Kimmeridge Bay, half a mile south west of the village of Kimmeridge via a toll road, features some of the most important geology anywhere on the Jurassic Coast. It also boasts some of area’s most accessible marine wildlife. The bay is made of large flat rocks (Rocky shale and comentstone reefs) and it is a great spot for surfing or rock pooling or just watching life go by!
120 locals recommend
Kimmeridge Bay
Kimmeridge Bay, half a mile south west of the village of Kimmeridge via a toll road, features some of the most important geology anywhere on the Jurassic Coast. It also boasts some of area’s most accessible marine wildlife. The bay is made of large flat rocks (Rocky shale and comentstone reefs) and it is a great spot for surfing or rock pooling or just watching life go by!
Sightseeing
Priorys Of Christchurch
1a Castle Stbeautiful large Priory in the heart of the town
Situated on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, and a gateway town for exploring the Jurassic Coast, the fun family resort of Swanage is ideal for relaxing and exploring the little streets and enjoying a pint along the way
153 locals recommend
Swanage
Situated on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, and a gateway town for exploring the Jurassic Coast, the fun family resort of Swanage is ideal for relaxing and exploring the little streets and enjoying a pint along the way
The stunning Georgian town of lymington is well worth a visit it is famous for sailing and its marina. Walk any of the 9 mile "sea wall" a long embankment build as a sea defence but is stunning for walking running or cycling.
224 locals recommend
Lymington
The stunning Georgian town of lymington is well worth a visit it is famous for sailing and its marina. Walk any of the 9 mile "sea wall" a long embankment build as a sea defence but is stunning for walking running or cycling.
The story of Christchurch Priory goes back to at least the middle of the 11th century, as Domesday says there was a priory of 24 secular canons here in the reign of Edward the Confessor. The Priory is on the site of an earlier church dating from 800AD.[1] In 1094 a chief minister of William II, Ranulf Flambard, then Dean of Twynham, began the building of a church. Local legend has it that Flambard originally intended the church to be built on top of nearby St. Catherine's Hill but during the night all the building materials were mysteriously transported to the site of the present priory!
73 locals recommend
Christchurch Priory Church
Quay RoadThe story of Christchurch Priory goes back to at least the middle of the 11th century, as Domesday says there was a priory of 24 secular canons here in the reign of Edward the Confessor. The Priory is on the site of an earlier church dating from 800AD.[1] In 1094 a chief minister of William II, Ranulf Flambard, then Dean of Twynham, began the building of a church. Local legend has it that Flambard originally intended the church to be built on top of nearby St. Catherine's Hill but during the night all the building materials were mysteriously transported to the site of the present priory!
The Big Wheel tourist attraction is back at Pier Approach for the Summer season. (25th March to 5th September 2017). Enjoy stunning, panoramic views of Bournemouth from 100 feet up .Priced at £5 for adults. 11am – 10pm daily.
8 locals recommend
Bournemouth Big Wheel
Pier ApproachThe Big Wheel tourist attraction is back at Pier Approach for the Summer season. (25th March to 5th September 2017). Enjoy stunning, panoramic views of Bournemouth from 100 feet up .Priced at £5 for adults. 11am – 10pm daily.
Arts & Culture
Christchurch Castle and Norman House
Castle StreetCastle ruins near the priory
The Russell-Cotes Museum is an art gallery and museum in Bournemouth, England. A Grade II* listed building. One of the largest victorian houses to be built in England.
110 locals recommend
Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
West Cliff Promenade The Russell-Cotes Museum is an art gallery and museum in Bournemouth, England. A Grade II* listed building. One of the largest victorian houses to be built in England.
A local amazing gem if you love castles! Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above the village of the same name on the Isle of Purbeck in the English county of Dorset. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage.
425 locals recommend
Corfe Castle
A local amazing gem if you love castles! Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above the village of the same name on the Isle of Purbeck in the English county of Dorset. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage.