Bournemouth Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK)



An almost legendary English seaside resort, the tourist attractions of Bournemouth need not be seasonal, and although the beaches are packed during the sunny summer months, the quiet winter season has a certain charm all of its own. Sightseeing bus tours are available during the summer and connect all of the main attractions around Bournemouth and Boscombe.

Also popular with seasonal tourists is the tethered Bournemouth Eye balloon, which is located within the beautiful Lower Gardens and floats high above the park to offer stunning coastal panoramas. After a day spent sightseeing in the town, there are a number of evening attractions worth considering. These include shows, concerts and comedy gigs at the Pavilion Theatre, the Pier Theatre and the Bournemouth International Centre (B.I.C.), all of which attract leading stars from the world of entertainment, with past performances from the likes of Girls Aloud, the Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie Minogue, McFly, Oasis and the Mighty Boosh.

Picture of Bournemouth Tour Bus

Bournemouth Guided Bus Tours

Open-top hop on / off Bournemouth guided bus tours operate throughout the day at regular intervals in and around the town. These bus tours provide an easy way of sightseeing and with daily hop on / off tickets, they are also a very useful way to travel around, since you can leave the bus to explore and get back on when you are ready. These tours connect all of the major points of interest, including numerous tourist attractions, landmarks and theatres. Guided Bus Tours are operated by several different companies, including Sightseeing buses.


Walking Tours

Address: 48 Hinton Wood, 17 Grove Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3EA, England
Tel: +44 (1202) 265436
There are a number of guided walking tours around Bournemouth and these provide tourists with a real insight into some of the town's most interesting and historic attractions, landmarks and streets. Walking tours should usually be booked in advance to ensure your place.

Panorama of the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)

Bournemouth International Centre (B.I.C.)

Address: Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 456400
The Bournemouth International Centre (B.I.C.) is situated in the heart of the town and is the most prestigious venue for entertainment, conferences, exhibitions, leisure activities, festivals, concerts, comedy events, musicals and ballroom dancing. This large, modern venue is close to the seafront and also owns the Pavilion Theatre and the Pier Theatre, organising the events so that there is always a varied choice of shows.

Pavilion Theatre

Address: Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 456400
The Pavilion Theatre is a traditional theatre and is located in the town centre, close to the seafront and pier. Attractions include a Victorian-style interior, period features, large fountains at the front, a car parking area and numerous regular theatrical productions, ballets, concerts and comedy events. The Pavilion Theatre attracts many famous celebrities and is one of the area's most prestigious theatres.

Bournemouth Pier Theatre image

Bournemouth Pier Theatre

Address: Bournemouth Pier, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 456400
The Pier Theatre is situated at the end of the long pier, in the town centre. This traditional theatre hosts end-of-pier plays, which are always popular with tourists and include seaside comedies and traditional farces.

Dorset Belles

Address: The Boat Booking Office, Pier Approach, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5AA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 558550
The Dorset Belles is a popular boat cruising company that offers a variety of trips for tourists in and around the Bournemouth area. Regular boat excursions travel to and from Poole Quay, Brownsea Island, the Isle of Wight and Swanage.

Bournemouth Eye photo

The Bournemouth Eye / Vistarama

Address: The Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2AQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 314539
Situated in the main gardens, close to the square, the Bournemouth Eye has become one of the town's most visible tourist attractions. This enormous helium-filled balloon features an enclosed basket that will carry up to 30 passengers and is tethered to the ground.

Rising to around 150 metres / 500 feet, the Bournemouth Eye provides some spectacular views of the coastline and the surrounding area. On clear days passengers can see for up to 32 km / 20 miles from the balloon, which has become the highest public observation point in the town.



Other attractions in Bournemouth include: