It's bright and cheerful, right on the promenade, at the moment - walking down to it in The Lower Gardens from Bournemouth Square {as the night falls} - Christmas lights + - wonderful!

I liked it here, deffo not that cheap, most games has really short rounds and to continue playing after you die you need to add more coins, but it is like any other arcade hall. I thought they had a good selection of games racing Sims and shooters. Even some cooler simulations, claw machines and other classics etc... make sure to bring cash as the card machine there charges you £1.99 to take out cash. But if you have any notes they trade them for coins for free. Most machines take contactless with a few exceptions.

Its nice enough and if you go at the right time of year not too busy, in the summer it's always so busy hard to find a machine. Gets very hot in there but that's to be expected the most annoying thing is so many of the machines are broken it becomes a pain because you spend more time finding a machine that works than you do actually playing.

Popped in Sunday the 24th April with granddaughter really happy to see less plastic tu s and paper bags for your change due to covid and transference. Plenty of arcades, and was extremely busy but people really enjoying their spending Our grand daughter was over the moon she won a teddy all by herself

Had fun on 2p machines not much to win on them but still had fun and had a lot of fun on the batman air hockey

A lot of machines to choose from they have something for everyone

Only managed to find parking up quite a steep hill, I am disabled and it would have taken me about half hour to get down, and a lot longer to get back up taking a few steps at a time, then found out blue badge holders from other boroughs have to pay for parking £3.70 for one hour so it would have cost me at around £10 just to go and have a look, if there are more accessible parking closer to the pier they need to have clear directions, I was so upset, but also glad it was me and not my mum in a wheelchair because I would have told her it was fine and I can manage - this is why I am now disabled but I wouldn’t change a thing I loved my mum so wanted to make her life easier and happy

I loveeee this arcade!! It’s great! Everything is really cheap- most of the games are £1 and there’s a mixture of coins and contactless so there’s something for everyone. Great variety of games as well! When I’m back in Bournemouth I’m going straight there 👾🕹️!!

The arcade is expensive, and the games are very slow and long. Don't visit it. The machine is The Walking Dead, which is very long and slow and costs £7 to complete the whole game, but it's so long I couldn't finish the last level.

Claw machines are made to grab all of your money. Dont waste time and buy from amazon directly if you like something. The Bournemouth Council is in charge, apparently, as one of the employees told me.

Won first go on the soft toy crane. Tigger cost me 30p..... good times 😂

Lovely pier with gorgeous views shame everything was shut other than the small amusement at the beginning of the pier. Entry is free is winter but charges in the summer times.

My partner loves the 2 p machines 🤣

Visited here on a rather wet Thursday! It was busy, which we expected due to the weather and how this is an indoor attraction. We found staff to be very helpful. Tickets were reasonably priced, and we were served quickly. They accepted diagnosis letter for disability discount, carers, and a student card for me as I'm studying. We opted to go for lunch first as it was just after 12. We had 2 lots of chips as well as fish and chips. The fish was rather well cooked, but the texture inside wasn't pleasant. Sane for all three chips. However, it was busy, and it was understandable. Went on to see the attractions. Lots of varieties of fish as well as penguins, sharks, stingrays, and so much more. The signage was clear, and we could find our way around, ensuring we didn't miss any part. My daughter loved each part, especially the tunnel, and spoke lots about it when we got home. Another plus point is that you can reenter all day once you have your tickets, which we found helpful when we needed to step outside for some quiet time. We will definitely visit again :)

It's definitely worth a couple of hours of your time. Isn't the biggest Oceanarium, but definitely one that needs to be visited to be appreciated. The penguins were great, and it was lovely to see them having fun in their enclosure. The Otters were my personal favourite, though 😎

Absolutely amazing! This is the second aquarium we've visited and definitely the best so far! The live feedings are brilliant and the tunnel is incredible! I didn't want to leave. So much to look at, we went round 3 times and every time saw something new we didn't see the first time! So definitely take it slow and make the most of the time, go round multiple times as you may catch a new fish that was hiding the first time! Gift shop was reasonably priced too with lots of variety for different ages.

Bournemouth oceanarium was brilliant!!! There was a huge amount of fish and marine animals and every tank was well looked after. The tunnel was an absolute favourite and the sharks were super scary! We watched the penguin feeding time but watch out for the birds overhead, they poop a lot! This is our second time visiting and we had just as much fun as the first time! Would definitely go again and 100% recommend.

A great place, take it slow as you could be in and out within an hour, we looped back to see talks and got to see the huge turtle in the middle tanks! He was awesome! Penguins are super cute. Great gift shop. Small play area for a pit stop sit down. Can buy food and drinks on site too.

Its okay. A little cramped but a good selection to see and learn about. Kids always enjoy it. You can work out the best tickets on their website online if there's a large group - works out cheaper if you buy in advance. There's no parking for it but there's paid parking not far from it. You can leave you buggy upstairs and there is a lift and toilets. The gift shop like most is on the pricey side but good collection of gifts etc.

Great for kids, both 1 year-old and 6 year-old loved it. Food shop inside wasn't busy and there is a little play area. Great animals to see. Signage for exit isn't very clear, couldn't easily find my way out.

My baby loved the place. It has so many varieties of fishes , tortoise 🐢, 1 iguana, 2 otters and penguins. There is a small play area for kids. The Cafe and eating place are so clean. You can find toilets as well inside. It's better to buy tickets in advance. There are timings for feeding the animals so you can watch them. The staff explains the feeding methods and foods . It has 2 floors. You can either use steps or lift provided. Wheelchair accessible and kid friendly

Lovely place for kids to experience the sea life. You can spend about 2-3 hours here. Recommended to buy tickets in event to ease the air.

Lovely place to take the kids. Fantastic collection of sea creatures from all over the world. Even the adults enjoy it. Though the entrance fees can be a bit steep

Lovely place to take the family all the kids loved it including the baby (great sensory interaction). We was able to turn our clubcard points into vouchers we could use to make the cost even cheaper 😁 . If you get a stamp on your hand or have your ticket proof you can return and go round as long as you like for that day.

Staff were friendly and informative. They happily took a few minutes out of their day to answer my questions and nothing was too silly to answer. The tanks are crazy huge! Two adult tickets are only £30 for all day entry!! Well worth the money for educational and entertainment values.

I enjoyed my best afternoon out with my husband here. The tickets were reasonably priced. There were large variety of sea animals and some other animals too such as tortoises and otters (which were very shy when we visited!). The keepers were really happy to tell us more about the animals, especially at the penguin enclosure. It was a lovely day out regardless.Also has a lovely reasonably priced gift shop.I highly recommend for any age.There were places for babies and childrens for entertainment. There was a cafe from where you can enjoy snacks and meals.

Decent variety of fish and animals to see but quite small and quite easy to get through within about 45 minutes. That said reasonably priced and well situated on the seafront, near the beach and pier. Worth a trip.

This seaside town is also friendly to people with disabilities. Being in an electric wheelchair, I visited the Oceanarium without any problems, a big plus. Unfortunately, the condition of the toilet is terrible. Overall nice safe and beautiful.

Great attraction to have right by the pier. It's not like the big sealife centres but still has plenty to offer. Doesn't take long to go around so don't plan a full day here. You can tell that a lot of care goes into looking after the animals. All the tanks are sparkling clean and the creatures are bright and active. The otters were a highlight for us. It was packed and very hot with lots of people struggling with baby buggies. There are places to park them but obviously it's not 100% secure. It's perfect for young kids and family tickets are good value.

My sister in law recommended me this place. And was the best decision to visit. Of course the tickets 🎫 a pricey but is worth. The place is clean and organised. Has a large variety of 🐠 👍 From outside the building appears small bunt inside of the aquarium is big. 🐬 dolphins were cherry from the top. They were friendly and playful. The tunnel was amazing experience for my son. We really enjoyed the visit. Recommend for everyone, specially for families with children ❤️

I love penguins and it was a birthday present and I got to admit they are so relaxing to watch. Beautiful bird's. Good place and if you have a young family then very educational and fun for the kid's

The kids loved it. It's not as big as one in Birmingham, but it still has a good variety of fish and other ocean creatures. And there is a gift shop at the end of the tour, full of things your kids are going to love.

This place is amazing. What more needs to be said. The fish? Great. The location? Amazing. The food? Fantastic. If you live nearby then you can get a annual (or half a year?) Ticket so you can go at any time you want. If you haven't yet been here and you had the opportunity to then what are you wanting for, stop reading this review and go buy a ticket!

Oceanarium is a very interesting place . We got lucky to see sharks feeding, which I liked , and also a lot of different kinds of fish from tiny to giant ones. It was a lot of fun seeing the penguins as well. The staff is very welcome and we have had a very nice time.

We took my 5year old nephew here as a birthday treat and he absolutely loved it. The otters, the sharks, the penguins, the “weird turtle thingy with the snouty nose” (his words) 😬 we managed to catch each feeding time and stayed for around 3 hours because he wanted to go round twice. The staff were great, very informative and constantly cleaning. Special shout out to Molly who managed to expertly answer every single one of his random questions without hesitation. I am sure we will be back again soon!!!

Was blown away by how amazing this place was. A great variety of species and areas. The loggerhead turtle was the most breath taking for me. The cafe food was high quality and surprisingly cheap! The staff were friendly throughout and took the time to point out things to my son. The whole place was beautiful I will definitely be returning.

The beaches in Bournemouth are brilliant that I cannot favour one over the other. It’s a sandy beach along the cliff. There’s a good stretch of grasslands cliff side to walk. Those who don’t prefer walking, can just hit the beach from the closest car park which is about 5-7 minute walk. There is a paid parking and 1 hr free parking as well, watch out for timings. There are cafe and toilet facilities as well

This is a wild and beautiful spot which is at its finest out of season, when the wind blows and the surf is up. There's a large car park and lots of walkers enjoying the headland and the beaches. The headland can be blustery and exhilarating but down on the lagoon side it is more sheltered.

Lovely beach. Amazing views. Small cafe with big queues at peak times but great to go somewhere so dog friendly.

A wonderful beach with soft golden sand and views over to the Isle of Wight. The beach was really clean and wasn't too busy. Great place for a swim in the summer but be careful of rips with the steep decent.

If you are looking for a quiet stunning beach then go no further. Like all quiet beaches it is a bit isolated and requires a good 10 minute walk from the carpark to get to. But it's fully worth it for either a good walk or a peaceful beach day !

Nice beach and landscape park. Visited twice, on a December Friday afternoon and an August bank holiday Sunday. Almost empty in December, but still very nice. Extremely busy in August, at least in the main tourist spots. Quite pleasant if you walked a bit further away from the crowds.

Beautiful Beach and cliff. Situated about 30 mins from Bournemouth. The beaches are not busy at all, plus it offers a very good view of Isle of Wight. Fantastic place to just go for a walk, especially with your pets. Lots of greenery and beautiful walking trails. Also offers some great views of the Mudeford Sandbank Beach.

Good sand. Usually calm sea. Large but quite expensive cafe behind the huts. Seasonal opening. Long walk to the beach but the land train operates all to October. Check for other timed. Toilets available. Photo is a few yards rond the head

What a great little beach, not a lot happening in the area but if you're looking for a nice sandy beach for the doggo to run and play then this might just be the place for you. There is a good size car park which is reasonably priced and very easy to find, there is a cafe just by the car park which serves nice ice-creams and some food too if you're not in a hurry. Further down the beach away from the car park is a small bar and restaurant by the local beach huts and you can walk back along the cliff tops if you don't want to double back on yourself and do the beach again.

Ringo car parking available from £1.70/ hour Massive car parking so if not that busy you can easily secure a place. What an outstanding view - had a chance to witness one of the best sunset. Cafe and pub are near by and very friendly neighbourhood.

Went here on a day that had some moody weather and it was great. The beach isn't the best for going sunbathing as it's mainly rocky but it's a great place to walk and spend a few hours enjoying nature. Parking charges aren't horrendous, there's plenty of space for cars and there are toilets and a cafe next to the car park.

Lovely pier with decent place to have coffee/cake. There is a entry point ticket. Pier is well maintained. However overall beach in over crowded and I would avoid specially in peak summer.

Visited for a evening stroll and play on the beach. Nice clean and tidy beach. Especially after what i imagined would of been a very busy weekend. Shops to buy beach supplies (needed as was a last minute trip). Also a small arcade, toilets and a chip shop all along the front! 😄

The beach surrounding this beach is beautiful but pretty much everything was closed. We paid to go on the pier and wasn't advised that the rides on the other side was closed. I'm sure it would be a fun place for the family If things were open.

Only ever been once before our latest trip and will 100% be back again. My favourite place to visit and well worth the 7-8 hours round trip! Clean, great atmosphere and beautiful scenery 💕

One of the most beautiful piers I have seen in UK. Like every pier, you will find shops for ice cream and snacks along with a play area and gaming zone. The view is mesmerizing on a good day. It lies exactly at the center with beach on both the sides. It has an entry ticket of £1.5. Do visit.

The winter gardens were still a delight to see even this late in the year. Lots of places to sit and rest too. The centre has a variety of shops and it's no problem spending money there !😊

There’s no entrance fee during off peak season, but at all other seasons. There’s indoor activity attraction and adventure activities such as zip line. This place buzzes with life during summer, which is park time for tourists! There’s public toilets and snacks bar nearby.

Beautiful weather! Beautiful scenery! Beautiful beach! Brilliant and relaxing boat ride from the pier, round and back again! Delicious food from the bar on the beach too! Always love Bournemouth! 😍😊

It must surly be one of Britain's finest Tourist spots. You could spend a week just exploring the Pier area. There's something for everyone hear.

Actually went there to fish off the pier which we were told was fine in the evening. If you get there after 5.30 you do mot have to pay to walk along the pier. Only issue was the Jet skiers who have an entire ocean to play around in but chose to do there antics in front of the pier.. Be aware of this if you plan on going fishing.

First time ever in Bournemouth yesterday and what a fantastic town it is. When you go to the sea from your faces with the magnificent pier. I had to get myself entry. The cost was £1.50. Great idea it will all help with up keep of the pier. As you can see in the pictures below you get some great views. Nice walk up and down.

Absolutely fantastic, came here for the airshow and this pier gave me some amazing advantages for photos, 10/10 would recommend if your here for the airshow or in general

Nice location and good entertainment place near beach and too much games or rides for kids and adults. Some places you have to buy tickets for enjoying. Too much eating items for adults and kids and all of enjoying at beach.

Lovely beach and lots to do for all the family. Lots of shops in walking distance and a huge choice of places to eat. Good parking close to the pier but very overpriced as £13.20 for 4 hours.

Been to Bournemouth several times but first time on the pier. We were doing the Xmas trail 👣. Lots of fun questions all the way around the pier and lit Xmas trees. Also saw a stunning sunset and lots of surfers. The pier has a restaurant which we didn't go into but looked great so definitely one for our next visit 👌.

Amazing Landscape with so much serenity and peace. I would rate it higher than Brighton Pier too . Shame I visited during winters but too many fun activities during summer and cleanliness make it a go-to place .

The pier has a lot of history in Bournemouth. As piers go it's not the longest, and not the most exciting of all piers - but it has its own character. At the front is shops, and takeaway food options as well as the amusement arcade. There is a nice space as you walk up the pier for you to stop and look out. Towards the end of the pier things have changed a little since last time I was on the pier - there is an indoor activity centre (climbing walls etc) and also a zip line at the end of the pier going from the pier to the beach. Neither was open on our visit, but looked impressive and a bit different. There is also a bar / restaurant, we did debate going there for food but it was closed by the time we thought about it! (Off season!)

My pictures and videos can give you the feels of what have been in this place. Hope you like them. Thanks

My fave museum ever. Makes me really proud to be from B'mouth. It's a must see! The collections are just phenomenal and the interiors are just jaw-dropping. Really beautiful garden too and was lucky enough to see lots of baby lizards! The gift shop is also really lovely too, lots of nice souvenirs and gorgeous postcards!! Definitely going to visit again :)

I didn’t expect much going in but it definitely surpassed my expectations. The place has A LOT of art on display and you can really take your time to view it all. If you are not a student the price can be a little expensive tho (i am lucky to be a student). Some parts of the museum are divided into rooms which have been preserved with the furniture and all which kinda feels like visit a movie set. Very cool experience.

Absolute gem with some really nice exhibits. Was very busy but we went on the sixpenny day when it was free entry. I would strongly recommend the ladies and gents toilets upstairs absolutely amazing and the little grotto in the garden is great to sit and chill. Loved the lack of ropes around exhibits and thistles placed on seats you're not allowed to sit on Will definitely return here

Beautiful building, stunning location and outlook, magical interior designs and some excellent artworks. Unusually there is original seating that you can use to enjoy the views. Good cafe and friendly staff. Only £7.50

The museum/art gallery is extremely interesting in itself, but do make a point of visiting the cafeteria. It's pleasant, comfortable and reasonably good value. It makes a very nice relaxing place for a coffee and snack and the views from the terrace are lovely. Well recommended.

An amazing place to visit. Fantastic building, with loads of stained glass windows. The art work and souvenirs from travels across the globe may not all be my personal taste but good to see. Listening to the Pianist playing while walking around was lovely too. Although we visited in July the weather was grey, windy and abit rainy so we had a quick walk around the garden.

A fantastic gallery located right on the sea front. What an absolute gem of a place. The whole collection is astounding with some absolutely beautiful pieces of artwork. The whole house is as it was back when the Cotes owned the property. It has such stunning architecture and a huge variety of different cultural styles inside. Each room has a different theme and feel to it. Staff are very friendly and helpful. This costs £7.50 for an adult ticket, but well worth the money for the visit. There is a small cafe on the third floor which serves lovely tea and coffee and snacks. Overall well worth a day trip to go see.

Extraordinary! Definitely a must-see for those who love art, history, Japan and all things Victorian. It's so wonderful that they've kept it open so that visitors can be apart of the house and see all the exquisite detail up close and personally. Just fantastic!

Interesting monument to late Victorian collecting. The house itself is very eclectic in its decoration and offers great views over the bay. The collection has many excellent paintings and sculptures from the period with a few more modern pieces. In addition there are lots of objects mostly collected from around the world offering an insight into those cultures. The gardens are pretty although small and there is the mandatory cafe. A short video introduces the family and how they built the house and collection.

This place is like a National Trust house that's also an art gallery and museum. We absolutely loved it and took the time to read as many of the signs as possible. Every piece is interesting and has its own story to tell. We only had 2 hours to do the whole museum and that was a mistake. This place needs a whole day. And they do day passes, so you can have a lunch break in the middle of the day

Completely bonkers Edwardian house and contents - the private collection of two wealthy globe-trotters and compulsive art and curio collectors. The decolonisation police are going to have a field day when they get around to it, but in the meantime it's well worth a visit. An ideal choice for a wet day in Bournemouth.

I may not have been to Bournemouth in a long while but if anyone is going this is one place I always recommend. It’s absolutely remarkable. The walk there with the views of the sea is breath taking alone. The house has so much history and art to see. If you love art, history, architecture etc then no visit to Bournemouth is complete if you do not go here at least once.

Great value for the family. 2 hours flew by looking at so many interesting things and beautiful artworks. Reminded me of a mini Osborne House. Dazzling mix of decorative styles inside and the modern extension blends perfectly to create a large airy cafe and shop. The views of the sea are quite something. If must have been heaven living there for the Russell Cotes family. The Lucy Kemp Welch exhibition was incredible and worth the ticket price alone.

A wonderfully eclectic collection of artefacts from around the world right on the Bournemouth clifftop with phenomenal views. Only a few minutes' walk from the Lower Gardens and the beach. Reasonable prices (do check out annual prices if local), lovely cafe, nice garden, small shop. There are seasonal and special events throughout the year, including crafty things for kids. Follow FB page for updates. Parking is often busy, but there are several alternatives to choose from (seafront, Pavilion, clifftop). Bicycle stand right outside. No heavy backpacks or wet clothing are allowed inside, a cloakroom is available.

Amazing Victorian time capsule full of beautiful art. Would recommend one of the free tours to get the best from your visit. Interesting back story of the Russell Cotes. We spent four happy hours here, and the cafe was great too

It's a unique experience and one that all visitors to Bournemouth and Dorset should have. It was a wonderful Victorian Candlelit evening last night, and finished off wonderfully by a Baileys Hot Chocolate with cream and marshmallows, and of course, a slice of cake!

My wife suggested it! A lady "Liz" on the reception desk said "no-one regrets coming in". And you know what? She was right. What a gem. Laid back vibe, beautiful and quirky building and a fabulous selection of beautiful art works, paintings, sculptures, photographs and much more. Whatever your taste you will find items to dazzle you here. Nice cafe, clean toilets. An oasis on the seafront.

A delightful and intriguing look at the home of Sir Merton and Lady Russell Cotes, one of the original founders and the first mayor of Bournemouth. The house is full of all sorts of objects brought back from their many trips abroad. There is also a small but interesting art gallery with some major works as well as regular temporary exhibitions. For those old enough to remember, parts of the house were used in the filming of the old film about Rudolph Valentino. There is a lovely cafe area and shop and great views out onto Bournemouth pier and Poole Bay.

An amazing house, showing one couple's rather conservative choice of art from late Victorian to Edwardian period. Plenty to enjoy, especially, and unusually a good selection of women artists and sculptors who showed up as well or better than their male contemporaries. I'd have preferred labels by the paintings, as using the folders in each room was awkward (but informative). And although it's good to have bicycle racks, perhaps space problems meant they weren't in a more secure place. What a fantastic situation though with wonderful views over the sea.

The Russell Cotes Art Gallery/Museum/House is nothing short of stunning and beautiful. Give yourself a good few hours to visit, as there is much to see. There is a lovely cafe with a good selection for lunch, and a gift shop where amongst the items you can buy are prints of certain artworks that are hung throughout the house. The former owners Annie (Scottish) and Merton (English) Russell Cotes are to be admired, being explorers, collectors of objects, furniture and art from around the world, originally and generously left the house and all within to the people of Bournemouth. There was free entry for many years but now there is an entrance fee, which is totally understandable to maintain the upkeep of this beautiful house. A must see whether you live in or are visiting Bournemouth. Highly recommend.

Beautiful park, connecting Town Center to Bournemouth pier/Oceanarium. You can see small water stream, birds and cozy kids play area! The museum and the information center are on the opposite side of the park

Beautiful little park. Not too big, whole park is approx 15 mins walk. But plenty of people and life about the place. Small activities such Crazy Golf too. A bandstand where musicians play. Some bridges with water flowing underneath. A few food stalls too. Great for evening walk with family or friends.

This place is the youngest and most fun to live. Bournemouth has a lot of energy and joy. For students this site is great. Really, you can feel a great positive vibe. The sea is very calm. You could spend a weekend very quietly. It is excellent for summer and for other seasons.

We stayed here for an hour before we head to the station. Lovely park. Very peaceful with little canal. Nice place to take a rest in city centre

Nice colourful tables! Staff were pleasant enough but the prices were extortionate. (Card payment only) Good spot overlooking the Big Wheel and just at the entrance to the gardens.

Went into the Lower Gardens to see the Christmas lights, having been round the #bournemouthchristmasmarket . Lights were fab and managed to be in just the right place to catch the lightshow on the "big tree". We'll done.

All I could say is, absolutely stunning gardens, well kept, The groundsman should be proud of there great work, who informed me, that the purple flower was a beautiful violet millet, that once finished flowering, can be used as budgie food! a must visit to relax and unwind

One of the most beautiful places I have visited, a short stroll from the gorgeous sands of Bournemouth beach. An oasis of beautiful flowers and greenery. There is an upper, lower and central garden. All truly amazing, well maintained and peaceful. Plenty of seating areas, cafes, even a bird avery. Definitely has a Central Park New York vibe, well worth a visit if in glorious Bournemouth.

A somewhat peaceful escape from the hubbub on the sea front - and only 3 min walk from the pier! We decided to come here seeking shade and somewhere to sit and eat our picnic. Wasn’t disappointed as we found a largish green with a small river running through it. We sat on the grass in the shade of some large pine trees. There were lots of people tooing and froing, kids playing in the stream and an old guy feeding the birds. What’s more - you could hear live music performed from atop the hill. The park is stunningly looked after and the array of flowers is nice to look at. If you are looking to escape the Bournemouth sea front, if only for a moment, I’d recommend this park.

Whether it’s a social walk with friends, a walk to get back to nature, or a place to gain some tranquillity, you'll always find it in Bournemouth Gardens. There is a playground near the tennis courts, toilets just beside the Square, a lovely coffee shop near the Aviary, and lots of places to stop and see the squirrels or people watch.

Nestled amidst Bournemouth's vibrant town and serene beach, Lower Gardens Park is a tranquil haven. Its meandering pathways wind through vibrant flower beds and bridges over gentle streams, creating a symphony of colors. The iconic birdcage stands as a vintage charm, perfect for photos and quiet moments. This park's versatility shines through. It's ideal for solo contemplation, romantic walks, or family picnics. Thoughtfully placed benches invite relaxation, while its beachside location adds to its allure. Lower Gardens Park is a captivating blend of nature's beauty and historic charm, a testament to Bournemouth's commitment to creating stunning public spaces. Whether you're a local in need of serenity or a traveler exploring, this park offers an enchanting escape that lingers in your memory.

What a beautiful little oasis in the town take a lovely stroll around the few paths that take you around and through the whole garden lush colours of flowers a streem waterfall benches through out a few places to eat and get a drink great place to spend an afternoon chilaxing there. There is a cool giant bird cage with a huge variety of birds to see on the a whole a great place from young to old to pass away some time in a beautiful place

Lovely walk around the garden and fed the squirrels

Lights were very pretty. Ice rink looked popular. Was very cold!

The Park adjoins the Pier and together both function as the centre piece of the beach experience Bournemouth has to offer. There are lots of shops, big brands and not so big, coffee shops and restaurants around; and when the weather is right, there's even street food. Summer is the best time to visit. It does get crowded sometimes but the bustle, busking and flowing crowd to and from the beach more than make it worth the while. P.S there is electric scooter on hire.

Very nearly marked BIC down to 4 stars because of some work going on. But really they deserve the 5. I went here for the TUC Disabled Workers Conference and the way they bent over backwards to make sure accessibility was provided for all kinds of needs was fantastic. Staff were tremendously friendly. As a theatre person I always pay more attention to the tech than I should and I have to say the lighting rig is fantastic. If you’re considering a theatrical or music event they obviously know what they’re up to and have plenty of scope. Great location too, spent my lunch on the beach. Just watch out for aggressive seagulls!!!

We are being to the BIC a few times for a special spiritual assembly and found this place very appropriate and comfortable for such events. Various cafes and places for a break, clean toilets( that is important )) and a huge multilevel car park with the perfect vista of Bournemouth and the sea, and you can use a perfect walking area during your break as well ( if the weather will let you do it 😅) with breathtaking seaside observation 😍👍🥰

First time we are visiting an event at the BIC. Loved it. Astonishing visual effects, good visibility of the stage even though our seats were the furthest, sound was really good too. Staff were really helpful and proffessional. Parking is a bit expensive but that can not ruin our whole impression of that whole experience seeing a great band like Madness on their 2023 tour.

Got BIC early, 4pm. Had a walk around Bournemouth pier. Got to BIC bar about 6.30pm, had a drink while waiting for the doors to open. Could of had a few more table and chairs. Very efficient at getting people into the auditorium, ushers were very good at helping people find their seats.( Seats were not very comfortable, seats in the Mayflower theatre much better). Great timings for interval. The War of the Worlds was fantastic. Tripod Martian's legs cover the back viewing screen a bit. All in all fantastic show. Because I prepaid my parking, we were able to leave without much of a delay. The anpr system didn't hold us up at the barrier. Well done ,a great system.

Our younger daughter’s graduation ceremony was held here on Nov 7, 2022. We could only park on 8/F of its car park. The congregation was a full house and the post-graduation functions were also crowded. A very happy occasion, despite the wind and rain outside.

Recently visited the BIC To watch a competition one of my family members was entered in on 24/06/23. I found the venue was very well set out inside . Plenty of signage once inside to guide you where you need to be. I believe the configuration of all the halls seating arrangements and stage can be altered to suit your needs .inside was very well presented clean and tidy . There’s a bar inside the hall we visited for when there’s a need for one . Closed when we was there . There’s a large multi-story car attached to the BIC . So a very short two min walk to BIC . The two photos I’ve put on review are from a outside patio area with lots of tables to.

I’ve been to lots of events at the BIC and have always enjoyed the venue. It’s always clean and tidy and the staff are polite and helpful. Parking is easy but on the expensive side.

Went to see Simple Minds. Parked at a local hotel. 4 min walk to venue. Got in easily. Merchandise stall right as you came in. Alcohol usual prices. Were selling it in 2 pint glasses which is a recipe for disaster. Plenty of toilets and queues moved quickly. Got into venue. Pitch dark and no one to show you to your seat. Just a man standing there trying to look hard as security who told me to go and find "the lady" and she'll show you as it was nothing to do with him. We found out seats ourselves. Poor. The venue actually has plastic seats as the stall seats. Hilarious. Simple Minds came on to "waterfront" and everyone stood up. How could you not? Well the aging population that had turned up decided otherwise. Had an old lady with a stick covering her ears most of the time and others who didn't even seem to know Simple Minds music. What a bunch of miserable people. Still the stalls and parts of the arena were up and dancing to the anthems of this magnificent band. Jim's singing was fantastic and I still adore him. His cat like poses are iconic. Charlie was on point the whole concert as were the backing band especially the young female drummer. What an energy she bought to the group and her talent was undeniable. The female backing singer hit all the notes and held her own. The band took us through their early material and of course the hits. It was simply incredible to see them in such a small venue. So close up and the sound was amazing as was the light show. Jim had us eating out of the back of his hand. La la la la la la..... You get my drift!!! Iconic. I danced and sang all night and reminisced about seeing them in 1989? At Wembley Stadium. Bigger arena,better crowd but still tonight was marvelous. So to wrap it up SImple Minds were unbelievably good. Venue good to get up close and personal and enjoy the sound. BUT I witnessed as did many others a man jump out of his seat and grab the man in front of him forcefully and violently and scream and curse in his face about "you sit down you **** I can't see' he threatened him and was held back by a female with him and someone sitting next to him who wasn't with him. The fact the man he attacked was a carer for a visually impaired man made it all the more disgusting. The poor man was so shook up he didn't stand up again till the man left (with 4 songs to go". Never in my life have I ever witnessed anything so disgusting at a concert. Listen people. People want to stand and dance even if they have a seat. Accept it. Don't be a killjoy and spoil people's fun. If you think you can tell people to sit down you are wrong. It states no where in the ticket you cannot stand The demographic of the audience is OLD and I think spoilt it for some. I'm in my late 50's and felt young. It epitomizes Bournemouth as an area I think. Please can someone contact me re the above incident. Security were nowhere to be seen. It was a criminal offence. But Simple Minds. If you get the chance go see them.

Awesome show, facilities were clean. Good staff levels. Seat felt like they were from the 1920s, desperately need replacing. I know they need to be removable but there are much better options out there considering the prices they charge.

We have been to many concerts here. We live in Devon so this is usually the closest big venue to us. We were due to attend our concert in June 2020 & it was deferred until May 2022. We were nervous about being in close proximity to so many people as we have been shielding for over 2 years. We were impressed by the efficiency of cleanliness & security of the BIC staff. Crowd control was well handled & everything felt safe.

Great venue! Went to see Billy Ocean and had a fantastic evening. Parked in the adjoining 800 space multi-story car park so no worries about getting your hair messed up by the weather (if you're lucky enough to have some :-) Also didn't need to queue on arrival which was a plesant surprise. All the centre staff were happy and helpful even though it was extremly busy. There are plenty of bars to choose from so no long wait to get served and they sell a 2 pint solid plastic glass of lager for £11 so cheaper than a lot of pubs!

Easy to find. PLEASE book parking in advance, i didnt and ended up paying £20 for 6 hours. Great view of the stage, reasonably priced beverages and snacks, disabled friendly venue

It's a good venue, the only reason for 2 missing stars is for the 2 older members of staff on door 8 for mcfly took their jobs way too seriously. Not friendly, more rude than anything. Took away from the experience of a good night. The floor manager of that night was great though! Firm but fair.

We had a fantastic experience at BIC to watch a wonderful performance of RA. We arrived on time, had a bite to eat and a drink before the show. My 1st visit to BIC and the auditorium was impressive and very comfortable. We had seats in the rear stalls and the view was fabulous. We only have praise for the set-up, functionality and organisation. Will definitely return to another performance at BIC.

A good venue & well organised at a concert I went to recently. The stage effects & sound were perfect. I even managed to get my confiscated water back after the show 😍😄

Okay so the outside of the building is like what a six year old might build with a drawer full of dirty Lego, but once you're inside it's a brilliant facility for a conference: a big entrance hall with escalators, a massive main hall and many many small and large runs to house meetings, break out groups, exhibitions. Adequate, clean toilet facilities and the staff are friendly and helpful.

BIC Bournemouth is a great venue for live events. I've been there three times and I had a blast each time. The sound quality is amazing, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is electric. There's always something going on, whether it's music, comedy, or theatre. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves live entertainment.

A big thank you to all the staff at the BIC for looking after us so well last weekend at our quarterly assembly. The catering was enjoyable as well especially the vegetable soup I had on Saturday. Look forward to seeing you all at our next convention.

First time I have been to this venue. We went to see Aussie Pink Floyd who were amazing. It's well laid out e.g the bars are spread out so everyone doesn't cram into one place. The car park is joined to the venue as well but, make sure you get there early as it fills up quickly

Beautiful setting to chill out and enjoy a fabulous large breakfast. There’s even a smoking area on the balcony.

Lovely wetherspoons in Bournemouth. Haven't been to the one across town, so I can't say it's the best, but the other one has a lot to live up to. Really nice internal look. Two floors with a nice layout, although it can look a bit mazelike. Has an outside area as well which is well guarded from the wind. Good selection of ciders, which is rare for any pub these days, let alone a wetherspoons. Food was good. However, what set it apart was that they actually put the extras in my burger as opposed to putting them on a side plate like every other wetherspoons I've been to. This may not sound like much, but to see such a mess delicately put together by them really impressed me. Overall, good wetherspoons. Very close to both the seafront and a whole host of other eateries and entertainment. Note, only put 20-30 per person as we were there about 3 hours.

Had an amazing large breakfast here. One of the best I have had. Plates were hot and food was cooked nicely. My wife's poached eggs were hard which was disappointing. Large establishment with a raised seating area. Lots of space between tables. Clean, tidy but a little noisy with some internal maintenance going on. Never a good time for this but there are less people in the pub in the morning so it makes sense. Would happily recommend this Spoons.

Ordered stake and was a good choice had some flavour and was not like trying to chew old shoe leather ! Nice staff but being busy and a Saturday was busy n loud but still ok. Would go again if in the area that's for sure .

Perfect for a cheap evening out for drinkies. Only 4 toilets. One had someone puking their guts up, one had poo all over the seat, one had a bloody tampon on the floor right in front. Definitely needs more cleaning checks as the queue was big for the loo . Shame as the staff are all friendly. Seating is nice and spaced out. I ordered all night using the app. So handy. Offers are great on the drinks . Ordered chips with gravy and was a decent portion. Didn't count how many chips

A horrible dining experience, although the staff were very understanding and helpful. I'd tried to eat half of my vegetarian sausage and mash. The sausages had the texture and taste of cardboard, I had to leave most of the meal.The mash had a poor flavour. My hot wings were OK, so on balance a 2 star

Tried the steak night. Nice jacket potato but the worst ever inedible sirloin steak dished up. Told the staff no refund offered. Don't waste your money at this place.

Beer is tasteless, I had thatchers gold cider and it was tasting flat. Customer service from staff is none existent. Small scampi was 4 pieces of scampi and a plate full of peas. My fish and chips was cold, my mothers gammon came with 1 butter when asked for another she was told it’s over there looking at the bar. The staff are very rude and forgetful.

What a great pub! Excellent, efficient and courteous staff, superb pitchers of pimms and lemonade (including fresh mint in the middle of October!) and the smoothest, creamiest Worthingtons I have had in a long, long time!! Well done all, keep up the great work!

Looking for somewhere to warm up on a very cold January afternoon. A coffee in one of the big chain coffee shops would’ve sufficed but at a price. Entering the pub, it was lovely and warm and surprisingly there were tables. A very different clientele inside too compared to the street outside. It felt safe and welcoming. We ordered hot chocolates, less than £3 for the two of us, refillable too. Why would anyone choose to go to a coffee shop when you can sit in surroundings like this for a fraction of the price with a much better atmosphere.

Quite a lively spoons, especially on a Friday evening. Good service, but the chicken wings were incinerated. On my second visit the pizza was very good

The cleanest and most friendly wetherspoons I've ever been in. Food served on really nice plates, food is actually cooked and hot throughout. Daughter was happy with the pepsi refill station as she could change drinks herself. Atmosphere was calm and Very friendly. Staff were happy and very helpful. Definitely recommend this place.

On my 6 day visit to Bournemouth, I ate here twice. First time the fish and chips, the second time, the steak and kidney pie. Both times the chips were very good! Food and prices can't be beaten in a pub. Friendly staff. The only -ve side is that the plates are not heated, so the food cools down too quickly (for my liking). A well deserved ***** ❤❤❤❤❤

Really fast food and drink service when we visited, a busy Sunday morning breakfast time. Great food. Nice open fronted outlook, perfect for a walk day.

Good value, variety of drinks, good service, big team of staff, spacious place, plenty of seating.

If you are looking for a budget friendly breakfast place this pub can be an option. Service is excellent, toilet is clean. Food is ok, bacon and hash browns were a bit bitter, other items in English breakfast were fine..

Visited for a late breakfast Eggs dished up "snotty" After asking for eggs to be splashed with oil so not "snotty," they came out with hard yolks. Ate as better than under cooked. Plenty of staff. Lots of tables Two hot drinks machines, including hot chocolate. Water available on the bar with glasses. Now main reason for 3 star is the ladies toilets. Upstairs some missing locks, and general tardiness. Ceiling peeling and just not nice. Can order from the app.

Good spoons. Went for curry night. V good & hot food. 2 Currys & 2 large wines - £25.. Can't argue with that!

I had an amazing big breakfast here. One of the best I have had. The dishes were hot and the food was cooked well. My friend's poached eggs were hard which was disappointing. Large facility with elevated seating area. Lots of space between tables. Clean and tidy but a little noisy with some internal maintenance work going on. This was never a good time for this but there are fewer people in the bar in the morning so it makes sense. I would happily recommend these spoons.

Excellent food and really great service! Staff were helpful and food came almost immediately. The place was a bit stuffy but overall, it was a great experience.

Had great customer service during my visit from 12/12/2023. Staff checked on us regularly to ensure the food was up to our standards and were friendly/approachable. Atmosphere was welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. Would definitely go again!

Fine looking pier in a wonderful location with sandy beaches and a lovely park/garden next to it. Good eating places and good refreshments too. Toilets well located either side of pier. Parking not so easy so best to plan ahead.

This is a local institution, very hard to walk past the smell of coffee and cakes. Amazing views! Can be busy but it’s open 7-9 7 days a week from spring to autumn and still open 7 days during winter but closes a little earlier.

Its an amazing place to be, amazing beach ⛱, you can walk for miles without losing sight of the ocean. Amazing surroundings if you prefer a walk on the gardens, amenities of all kinds and if you're lucky you may even see the surfer 🏄‍♂️ boys and girls,so don't hesitate and give it a go.

We have visited this place before but during a summer, this time it was dull and wet so although we enjoyed the stroll it wasn't very welcoming. But we did get to see the spectacle of quite a few brave souls going for a Christmas Day dip in the sea, many dressed as Father Christmas, and all for charity. We braved the rain for a while watching the none Father Christmas's also taking a dip then decided enough was enough and headed back to our hotel, not a lot more that I could add really.

Beautiful Pier with an interesting crazy eco friendly crazy golf course on it. Also enjoyed playing some musical instruments, although some of them weren't in working condition. It's a beautiful place for some photography and to see the sunset.

£16 for whole day parking literally on the beach is something worth the money. Toilets aren't bad, there is enough amount of showers and toilets. During the season I strongly recommend to come early to get a parking spot. The photo of parking prices is for the one before the main beach.

Little bit rocky, but everything else is great if you come early as later it gets a bit packed. There's a bar and u can rent out sun beds

I had been staying in Bournemouth but moved on to a hotel in Boscombe to extend my stay. As it was a Bank Holiday my Bournemouth hotel was booked up so I couldn't stay on there. The walk, from the hotel to the pier, took me through a public park chine, which was lovely. The pier itself was quiet and just an architectural feature stretching into the water with no funfairs or anything else. There were people out jogging and walking their dogs. The beach was clean and lovely. It was a lovely peaceful place at 07:00 but I'm sure it would have been busier later.

It's a lovey Pier. You don't have to pay to walk on the Pier. We walked from Bournemouth. There are buses running as well as the beach train. I believe the train only runs in summer but the busses are available all year round. If you want to drive there, it's also easy but the parking may be an issue. We left our car in Bournemouth over the weekend and walked around on foot. When it was raining we took the bus back.

Beautiful, you can relax, dog friendly and good time to walk on the beach...

Best pier going, don't be fooled by that imposter pier up the road. All the true locals know Boscombe pier is the superior pier. Mega vibes, never subsides!

What a lovely pier on an autumnal 🍂 October afternoon. There’s not a lot to do here, but the musical mystery tour - up and down the pier - is quite fun. The views are spectacular! 🌊

A lovely beach and pier with lots of space, plenty of lifeguards and nearby facilities.

Just a little pier. Ideal for fishing. Had some quirky little bells and chimes. It was preseason things were still closed.

A promenade out to sea, very basic Victorian planked pier, sheltered full length seating and musical instruments installations along its length. Fishing permitted year round, free entry but closed during events, like the airshow as safety issues will dictate.

The show was pretty good, but the place itself needs to be refurbished. It's such a beautiful building, but a few features are not in a good condition. The seats are really old and it felt like they were about to break. With some work, it can become an amazing beautiful building

Just been to see Rob Lamberti at the Pavillion. What a fantastic performer, a fitting tribute to George Michael, but amazing in his own right too. (George went to see him in secret at one point) Brilliant selection from Wham to the Solo hits. All the audience on their feet dancing. A tip for parking - use the car park across the road up and to the left of the venue as you avoid a one way system and get out of Bournemouth much quicker.

Went to see kinky boots on my own on Friday. A brilliant must see fun performance ...even for children 10 and over. The staff at the pavilion are amazing. The bar staff fun and very attentive. I booked last min so I could only get a seat near the back. When 3 very tall people arrived in front I couldn't see an inch of stage. A huge huge thank you to the usherette who went way beyond herself to find me a different seat. My night was made up. Thank you all.

A great evening, staff lovely. Shame about people either coming in late which I would find off putting and also the amount of people using phone camera with flash 🤬 apart from that wonderful 😂

Lovely venue for gigs, parking has become expensive thanks to BCP (GREEDY COUNCIL) otherwise great evening. The ELO Experience was great as always 👍

A well oiled entertainment machine. Another great show tonight. All staff on point and the show ran like clockwork.

Poor show from Bournemouth Pavilion with Seann Walsh tonight. Seating plan when selecting tickets mimicked the main room. Selected 2nd row but on arrival found we were plaved in a small back room, uncomfortable seating, too close together and our row B was suddenly about 10 rows back. Sound in the room also too load at ear level causing discomfort during the show and ear ringing after. Seann Walsh however was great.

Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre is right on the sea front, we parked on Madeira Road (free Sunday parking) and walked down to the theatre, although having walked through the rundown town, in future it would be worth paying to park at the Pavilion. The foyer is small for the amount of people the theatre holds but it didn't take long to walk through to our seats. We were sat on row L, seats 26/27 and had a fantastic view of the stage. The seats were comfortable and were raised a little above the seats below. Seeing Jane Mcdonald was an amazing experience, we had a great fun night, it was fantastic to see Jane live in concert, she's a phenomenal singer and a great laugh on stage, a true entertainer. With songs from Queen, Abba, Officer & a Gentleman as well as Jane's own songs, we were singing & clapping along.

Just want to give a big shout out to the staff at Bournemouth Pavilion. They helped my father out massively when we realised that I had booked circle tickets for a show and there was no lift for my disabled father to use. They managed to find us seats only 9 rows from the front and on an aisle with very short notice (10 minutes). Amazing service and show!

What a lovely theatre with very helpful staff. We went to watch the Blues Brothers tribute act which was our first trip since the end of lockdown and we felt very comfortable with all Covid restrictions. The only moan, was the cost of the car park.

My sister brought Whitney Houston Queen of the night tickets for us in the upper circle as a Christmas present. (Our first visit to the Pavilion.) The sound quality was awful. Really tinny and distorted. The audience were singing (out of tune) and very loud. Phones everywhere were taking photos and filming. We left before the interval. We spoke to a lovely usher who asked why we were leaving. We explained what it was like and she put us in two seats on the lower level. Sadly it was just as bad. Another lady who went to see the show was also very disappointed. Having been sworn at when she asked the ones behind her to tone it down a bit. Others appeared to be leaving at the same time. One couple from Bristol were leaving early as also disappointed. It was like a bad karaoke in rough back ally pub. An absolute waste of time and money. Totally disappointed with whole set up. Would not go to the Pavilion again. 😪

Beautiful theatre. Two floor theatre with the bar upstairs.

Lovely Sandy Beach!! It’s so beautiful and scenic, you can just get lost by its beauty. You can swim here, enjoy a long walk and can spend a good amount of time. There’s parking close by and public toilets too! In winter the cafes are closed, so suggest you rather pack a snack. The rocks and shell collections are amazing!! You could spot hermit crabs too!!! Can never get tired of this

England Beach Soccer Tournament was amazing to watch whilst having stunning views of Sandbanks to Bournemouth Beach, Isle of Wright to the Purbecks. Amazing!

We just come back from there ,its lovely, the beaches are nice and clean,the park was definitely loved by our kids ,kept them busy,you must visit

Perfect place for family fun...sandy beeches, café and to top it off...and when the kids are bored with burying Dad...there is a fantastic enclosed play park that sits under the shadey branches of the stunning Mediterranean pines of the Public Botanical Gardens. A large carpark serves as an accessible route directly to the beaches promenade and sands with breathtaking views in all directions.

Wonderful sandy beach. Very clean and beautiful. Toilets and on the walk from the car park to the beach and the tropical gardens are up to the left as you head towards the beach too. Not dog friendly all year round but a nice trip all the same

We had great time there with my wife and children. Beautiful and very clean sandy beach with everything you need around it. Toilets, restaurant, car park and little bar. Perfect family destination.

Love it every time ... Safe sandy beach ...close by parking is available , a bit costly but needs to be pre booked as it gets filled quickly. Loads of rides n places to eat nearby. As well as neat clean washrooms for men n women at 2 min walk.

Lovely walk (footpath) from Westbourne to the beach. Along the beach, towards Bournemouth pier is a nice environmental cafe.

First time visiting this beach in Bournemouth. We visited during the Easter school break with our friend's dog which we were caring for whist she was travelling. We were staying at a dog friendly hotel which was a short walk to the beach. Despite being overcast, the stretch of beach was simply lovely to walk along. As a photographer, the light bouncing off the water and the rising mist was lovely to capture. Despite being old and deaf, dog was super, super excited to be on the beach.

Absolutely Wonderful beach. Extremely clean no stones at all, beautiful sandy beach. By the beach there are couple of huts you can book and rent using secure booking apps so u can keep your stuff their they provide you camping stove in case you hungry you can cook your own food. Huts are only for day renting. There is mini train for beach to take a tour around. Italian restaurant is quite busy. There is mini park with playarea for childrens as well.Toilets are there. 100yards up there is lil parking spot with cheap prices you can pay and extend session with ringgo parking app no need to print tickets. Just find some local old couples but bizarre the way they look at you specially when you use da tap on beach😀 Well no harmdone overall beautiful beach going there again in real summer ☀️

Lovely beach, toilets, cafe and big carpark and free parking on the top road. Council needs to do some clearing as the sand is taking over...

A great, long, golden sand beach which can get a bit busy in the summer but you can always just walk a bit further down and find yourself some space.

Extensive beach front - lots of places to rent beach equipment and plenty of water stations and restrooms. Very safe, clean and accessible beachfront. We walked 6 hours!!! Lots of dogs on the beach also.

We have been here many many times and we NEVER get bored of the scenery and beach area. It's simy breathtakingly beautiful and we hate going home unless we stay for too long and get slightly homesick 😔. There is a rather expensive carpark but this ensures you don't have to drag EVERYTHING down the stairs. Compared to last year there are more amenities such as a new café and more toilets ( 3 unisex single WC's & 2 disabled WC's. The lifeguards are helpful but l don't like the users of e-scooters or some cyclists whom appear to think they are a modern day interpretation of StreetHawk. Anyway overall it's one of my favourite beaches ⛱️ 😍. The beach huts are most owned or rented out but horrendously expensive. I would definitely recommend this beach to all but especially families 👪. Over and out.

Very clean and well maintained sand beach with great views all around. Has lots of Beach Huts and places to eat. Can easily walk to Bournemouth Pier from the Beach. There's also a play area for kids.

What an amazing beach. There is sandy beach, playground for kids and very beautiful garden on the hill. There are toilets and nice restaurant. Safeguards doing their job very well, informed our boy that there is a place in the sea where is not recommended to go. Well done

Boscombe Chine Gardens were developed originally from a ‘chine’ of heath and mire into a splendid Victorian garden, a central part of the then thriving Boscombe resort. These gardens offer a lovely mix of scenery and activities with formal flower beds, large grassy areas for recreation, mini golf and a water-themed playground. Squirrel Cafe and mini golf is owned and operated by BCP council. Having a cuppa here, or a game of crazy golf (or both!) supports your local parks and open spaces. We have recently opened our upstairs cafe, here you can purchase hot and cold drinks, freshly baked cakes and daily specials. The Chine has been opened up by the removal of much of the tree canopy and native grasses have been sown to improve the habitat quality of the site. Where there was an underused tennis court, is a popular ball court and on the site of the old boating pond is a water play area. The Boscombe mini-golf has been re-launched with disabled access and the Clock House Cafe overlooks it all! The original features of the Gardens remain, two spa shelters, the lodge and the return of magnificent bedding displays.

Beautiful park especially during spring and summer. Suitable for kids and grownups. Lovely Shortcut to the beach ⛱️

I love Boscombe Chine Gardens. The most peaceful walk - many trails. And a car park up top with a beautiful trail leading down to the gardens. There is also a playground for the children and a basketball court. There is mini golf and a cafe. The bus stops right outside the entrance and you can walk through and come straight out to Boscombe Pier. There is fun fyi info on the trail about the creatures that inhabit the place as well. The trees are talllll and everything is well looked after - very well cared for.

Beautiful ca. 15mn walk through from the main road to Boscombe Beach and Boscombe Pier. Childrens play area, café, lovely trees and plants. It's a well kept secret

A place must visit if you love plants or flowers. Variety of plants and flowers and rekindles your memory of forest visits. If you are on a family visit with kids below 7-8 yrs, it's worth visiting as it has a small area for kids to play with water at the same time understand the concepts of Water Dam, waterforce, etc. It also has a mini golf and an ice cream shop. A good place to wander if you are visiting Boscombe beach or pier as its just 2 min walk opposite road and also is a short cut if you are booked in hotels on the highway.

We a.lways walk through here on our way to Boscombe. Our grand children love the playground

Lovely park and gardens. The path sweeps down to the Pier and sea, the view opening up as you approach. Lovely children’s play area, great cafe, mini golf and multi sport game area.

Very pleasant for a morning or afternoon walk

The walk to the coastguard lookout at the top of the hill is worth doing for the view. The path is good under foot for most of the way, but as you get close to the top, it becomes narrow and tricky, especially if you have mobility issues. It has a very large car park, so I expect it gets very busy in the summer months.

Fantastic place for walks with (on clear days) great views from the top over the sea and Christchurch Harbour. Plenty of parking (mostly pay & display) plus interesting visitor centre.

Absolutely unique, lovely place, but it's a pretty long walk from the car park to the spit, especially in hot weather. Loads of cyclists and the route could do with more benches to rest on along the way. Decent cafe in the car park, but the scenery is the star.

A seemingly empty headland which is so historically important and provides nuggets to of the civilisation and from millennia before. Nature and history in a blustery yet lovely afternoon A cafe and visitors centre anchors the visit A must visit if you are nearby and the sun is out

A lovely visitor centre with nature cams where you can watch all the varied birds and other wildlife in the area. Really helpful and informative staff with a huge amount of local knowledge about the past and present. Nice visual displays of the rock formations and history of the original settlers on the head itself, how they lived and the tools they used. Things to view inside and out in their nature garden. Nice flat area so ideal for use by wheelchair users. Also good for anyone with sensory issues as it's quiet and calm with lots in the garden to view and feel. They also have walks, talks and demonstration days. We love it and visit regularly as there is always something new to see.

Great beach dog friendly, pushchair friendly there is cafe near by, two car parks pay and display. Toilets near by the cafe. We do walk all around with our dog 🐶😊

This is a very beautiful place fantastic views gorgeous beach and headlands great visitors centre with lots of information and a good cafe ...walks for all abilities

completely dog friendly and such good fun for the whole family and enjoying the fresh air. if you are a family that go on holiday with your four legged family I highly recommend going here. there is a cafe and public toilets so take your time there. payment for the carpark is card only.

Stopped off here while on a walk.. Very friendly and they were serving mulled wine and a mince pie which was very reasonable and we had entertainment as well.... Highly recommend popping by 👌

Beautiful headland and beach, very blowy today though! Visitor centres both have toilets and ice-cream, one has a cafe. Lovely place to visit and best of all very dog friendly 🐾

All good very informative history and many interesting artifacts to view.

The visitor centre contains a good, small museum about the history and geology of the area (free, but donations welcome) and a gift shop, including interesting books and useful guides. A short distance away is a car park and Hiker Café. A paved pathway leads up to a viewpoint, a National Coastwatch station and beyond to the spit.

Nice little place with useful information about the area. Good place to escape the rain.

My late husband's and my favourite place to come any season. Park free early along the coast road, breakfast at the Bistro. Walk along the prom into Bournemouth for gardens, shopping, restaurants, theatre etc.etc. walk back or catch the little train to Boscombe

Fabulous beautiful sandy beach our favourite spot as its not to busy in summer toilet are near by so all good. Dog friendly. The view is just stunning.

Beautiful beach, Dogs allowed until end of May . Parking right by the beach and toilets.

Beautiful,clean sandy beach. Dogs allowed on a large stretch all year round. Toilets available and a really good cafe. A great place to visit with plenty of parking.

Nice long sandy beach, not too crowded. If you are coming from the Southbourne Beach Car park it's better to bring your own food and drinks as the nearest cafes are a long walk. Also the phone network on the beach its not the best.

The beach very clean and not crowded. Good fun for the day. The sand was also clean and most of the area was without stones. I personally struggled find a parking spot but probably because I was late. 1 hour no return wasn’t bad. I must recommend specially for Children and Family.

One of my favourite beaches, used to go on family holidays and spent many summers days enjoying the beach as a kid. Still a fan of the beach 20 years later. Sandy beach, with relatively calm water, plenty of free parking on nearby roads and short walk down the cliff to access.

A lovely beach with restaurant, ice cream shop and toilets near by. There is a section of the beach(marked by flags) that is patrolled by lifeguards between May-September. Parking on the road is free but spaces are limited so may need to get there early depending on time of year, then directly below is a paid car park.

We visited this beach two weeks ago. Lovely place. Took the dog with us and there was a section we could take him off the lead and let him Experience sand and sea for the first time. Was a lovely day. There was a outside shower to spray water off feet etc. Parking - on street parking. Wasn’t busy. So free. Small car park near by. Didn’t use it. Some shops near by. Fish and chip shop and a small supermarket.

Beautiful sandy beach which Is well maintained. There is a pay and display car park by "the bistro on the beach" as well as on road free parking if you're early enough. A nice promenade to walk along that takes you through to Boscombe and Bournemouth if you're feeling fit. It's well lit at night if you intend on staying into the hours of darkness.

I didn't go up in the lift as we walked by but it seemed 😕 lovely and well maintained and managed. Would be worthwhile visiting the place as very few of them remain. 😀

Only a short ride up or down the cliff and makes it easier rather than trekking up or taking the longer walk round. Staff were friendly and the trip was fairly cheap. Run by the council rather than a heritage group like some of the other remaining funicular railways.

Rode it today for the first time. Staff were very friendly and helpful - a great experience.

For most riders, it's the experience of an old-fashioned thing they're after, and that's what you get. It's a fun thing to ride in, and it saves you some walking up/down the hill.

Did not board the lift as it was about to close for the day but it looked interesting.

Staff were very helpful and the ride offers great views. Convenient for the less mobile. Watch out for kiosk doors and remember it lift service finishes at 5pm.

We really enjoyed this experience. An easy and comfortable way to get to the beach.

Needs public support to keep it running . Fantastic views

Very good for those not able to handle the cliffs can get a weekly pass for £12.50 which is excellent value

£2 for a single journey seems quite steep and no return tickets offered hence only 4/5 stars. That said it's a piece of history and probably costs a lot to keep in safe working condition. Amazing views of the coastline.

Cute little funicular. Easy access to the top of the west cliff.

Super diversion from my coastal walk- friendly operator, a smooth ride and a sunning view. Inexpensive- subsidised by the Council. Give it a try.

Great view Need to pay £2 per person for lift

Cute little funicular. Easy access to the top of the west cliff. Also worth a visit just for the experience.

Bean riding these for decades, had me first ride as a child back in 1975, always worth a visit