Location: Bournemouth
Top Things to do in Bournemouth
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Bournemouth, England
Bournemouth’s seven miles of beach and exceptionally warm microclimate make it a favorite of U.K. travelers. There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re a watersports fanatic (try surfing lessons!) or just want to let your kids splash around in the calm waters. For a traditional Bournemouth vacation, rent a classic beach hut.
Restaurants in Bournemouth
1. Shelley Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 83 reviews
Shelley Theatre is the theatre on the Bournemouth clifftop you probably never knew about. We are a 150 seated theatre and provide a variety of entertainment for all tastes. We have: comedy nights; film; live music; performance and dance. The theatre was built in the 1860s by the famous Shelley family, intended to be the home of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. Today our whole aim is to bring people and performance together, whilst renovating the theatre and additional spaces at the same time. Our Cafe is open during the week from Monday to Friday (10:30 am to 3.30pm) so if it's using the Wi-Fi or catching up with friends and family, the doors are open for you. Come and see how we're bringing this historic building back to life. We look forward to seeing your soon.
Reviewed By Kinger321
The vwellcome and enthusiasm of the staff (mainly volunteers) is second to none. The knock on effect from this is that the performers will frequently mingle with the audience during intervals and after the performances. Consequently the audience tend to be very relaxed and good company talking with each other as if old friends. The variety of shows is incredibly varied to cover all tastes.
2. Dorset Day Trips
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 296 reviews
Dorset Day Trips offer an exciting range of award-winning guided sightseeing day tours around Dorset & the New Forest, all from the comfort of our fantastic ‘70’s-style VW camper! With pick-ups in Poole or Bournemouth, the VW comfortably seats 7 passengers, making our trips really personal and fun. It also means we can fit anywhere a car can go, opening up places that even larger minibuses just cannot go!
3. Rubyz
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 246 reviews
Rubyz Drag Comedy Club Bournemouth - Bournemouth's Premier Drag Show. The perfect venue whatever the occasion. From hen parties to a birthday party, Works do or just a night out with friends. The award winning Rubyz offers you the ideal night out in Bournemouth. With three course meal and the best drag queens on the south coast.. Every Saturday there is a full Cabaret show with comedy, song and more than a hint of fabulousness. Arrive at around 7.00pm for pre show drinks with your friends in the bar before being seated at 7.50pm for dinner and the cabaret show. The after show party disco starts at 10.30 PM and runs till 12 AM. A FULL NIGHT'S ENTERTAINMENT ALL IN ONE VENUE!
Reviewed By 836hilaryb
Well what can I say another fantastic night in spent with these lovely ladies, keeping us all entertained with songs, chats, quizzes and challenges. Thank you so much Miss Foxy, Miss Sally and Miss Betsy for hosting Rubyz Live every Saturday, can’t wait to be able to visit Rubyz when you open again always a pleasure and a fabulous evening and good food. Show is for adults only and is very funny so if you are in Bournemouth after Lockdown I recommend you book to see their show you won’t be disappointed. Please support them as they have supported us through this.
4. Chill Massage
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 65 reviews
Sometimes the world of work, kids and life in general can get a bit too much. Chill know this and have created a tranquil and relaxing environment to calm your senses. The moment you walk through the doors you will be at complete ease and feel a true sense of relaxation. Chill is owned and managed by a team with over 30 years of experience, so coming to us you can be sure your in safe hands!
5. Marvo Mysteries Escape Room Bournemouth
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 956 reviews
Teams of 3-8 players must search for clues, solve the mystery, recover the Artifact and try to Escape all before their time runs out. We will take you on an adventure to remember, or one you will never forget.
Reviewed By Willpr
From the entry instructions, your adventure starts... Entering the loading bay and into the reception you are blown away with the attention to detail. Artifacts, maps, trinkets and discoveries fill cabinets and the walls for you to look at whilst you wait. Lizzie was fantastic at pointing out "Harry Potter" discoveries to our daughter, who was nervous, and put her at ease. The briefing done, we enter and the adventure begun... no spoilers here, but I shall say, the hour whizzed by and we escaped with 4 minutes to spare! The attention to detail is outstanding, not an inch of space is wasted, and some items are used two or three times. With plenty of "oh that's what it's for" and "we need to find" moments you are busy from start till finish. I am honestly in awe of the ingenuity of the creators, as this is something else! Highly atmospheric and like playing a real life version of Myst with some aspects of the Crystal Maze, Indiana Jones and The Room all in one. Loads of puzzles, loads of secrets, and loads of clever technical stuff. You need to work as a team, and help each other, but there is no space for anyone to take a back seat as you all have to help in parts. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and wish there was more to do! We are looking forward to the new experience as we will be back to tackle that one too! Highly recommended as this is an escape room I doubt can be beaten!
6. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,118 reviews
Private home of extensive travelers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Lady Annie was one of the last Victorian manor houses ever built.
Reviewed By nigelcymru - Conwy, United Kingdom
Excellent museum especially for lovers of Victoriana Good collection of Victorian and pre raphaelite paintings Quirky building with an encyclopaedic collection of architectural styles I would recommend a visit
7. Hengistbury Head Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,283 reviews
Reviewed By BillS3851 - Swindon, United Kingdom
Must go here, amazing coastal view and amazing walk, land train that my granddaughter loved , when we come to Bournemouth next will be making a trip back here
8. Bournemouth Natural Science Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
The Bournemouth Natural Science Society (BNSS) is a registered charity whose aims have little changed since its formation in 1903: to promote study, interest and enjoyment in all branches of the Natural Sciences and History. The Society runs an extensive programme of events throughout the year, including lectures, museum open days, exhibitions, study groups, field meetings, cultural visits and social activities.
Reviewed By hayleyf808
This place is a real find. Packed to the rafters with wonderful specimens! Special thanks to Keith who showed us around. Mark Spencer for his unbelievable up close talk on all things from Spiders to Stick Insects - and to Joyce up stairs who told us all about Taheema. This place is wonderful, will most definitely return. Entry fee is donation.
9. Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre is owned and run by Bournemouth Borough Council. It is the perfect place to learn about the historic Hengistbury Head, find out more about the wildlife and discover the many events held throughout the year for people of all ages.
Reviewed By Craig_Tapper - Sydney, Australia
It's an easy walk on well formed paths, many of which are paved and all of which are accessible for just about any fitness level (although at least one place involved stairs so wheelchairs may have to bypass a couple of spots or plan ahead). The walk itself is great with undulations to get the heart pumping - but nothing too tough. The scenery is really beautiful with coastal and estuarine heathland and some wooded areas - the vistas off to Bournemouth and Christchurch are really stunning. and there is a great visitors centre to help you plan and a nice Cafe to have a break at the end. I highly recommend this place - its not testing for serious hikers, but really accessible and worthwhile for everyone - but you'd better like dogs because there are hundreds of them, clearly a highlight for most local dog owners wanting to get a walk for them and their friend.
10. Bowl Central
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Bowl Central is the premier entertainment destination situated in the heart of Bournemouth. Combining “Pins” - Boutique Bowl & Bar and “Prizes” - Family Entertainment Redemption & Video Games. Pins is our new boutique 6 lane, ten pin bowl & bar. Set in an urban environment with a premium bar offering the finest in beer, spirits and cocktails. Prizes houses the latest in redemption, video and skill based games for your amusement and the chance to win big! Collect your tickets to be traded in for a number of great prizes! Sound good? Visit our unique venue in Bournemouth and get your game on!
Reviewed By amandag428 - Poole, United Kingdom
We have only discovered this great place recently and have now been several times. There are several different game options. We pay £5.00 for 1 hours arcade play, which is such great value, considering normal arcades are at least a £1.00 each game. This is loaded onto a card and the relevant machines will allow you to scan and play. Other options are to pay for points being loaded onto your card for other machines that you can win tickets on. You can go through these a little quicker as each game has a different point value to them. Its great winning tickets and feeding the ticket muncher to add up how many tickets you have won, which again is stored on the card and this can then be traded in for prizes and decent ones too! Its worth also seeing what bundles they do, which can combine the hourly arcade games with the tickets games. There is an over 18's section I beleive at the back of the arcade, but I do feel the whole area is geared up great for kids (and big kids!) and in a safe environement. There is even a cafe that does light snacks, milkshakes and ice creams, although sometimes when we've been its not been open, maybe due to the time of year. Overall, I would highly recommend this arcade as its well worth the money and the staff are all so helpful and friendly.
