Bournemouth Museums and Art Galleries

(Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK)

As a leading Dorset seaside resort, Bournemouth is better known for its beaches than its museums. However, the town of Bournemouth does contain a number of notable cultural attractions, with the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum standing out as one of the best and home to an eclectic selection of art works, with a recently added annex comprising both a children's play area and restaurant.

Located at Bournemouth International Airport, in nearby Hurn, the town's Aviation Museum offers something quite different, with aviation exhibits spanning more than 50 years. Various seasonal events take place here each year, including popular air festivals, military vehicle gatherings and even classic car rallies.

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

Address: East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3AA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 451800
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is one of Bournemouth's top museums and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Situated on the town's East Cliff Promenade, alongside the Royal Bath Hotel, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum houses an interesting mixture of artworks and oriental souvenirs, which were collected from around the world by the Russell-Cotes family, who were wealthy hoteliers during Victorian times. This lavishly decorated house was built in the late 19th century and the exhibits include the Art Collection, with over 200 paintings, the Japanese Collection, which contains more than 2,000 items from Japan, and the Sculpture Collection, which features classical sculptures and bronzes. There is also a Japanese garden situated in the grounds, on the Cliff top, with superb views of Poole Bay.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Address: Hangar 600, Bournemouth International Airport, Merritown Lane, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 580 858
The Bournemouth Aviation Museum is home to one of the world's finest collections of ex-military and civilian vintage aircraft. Situated at Bournemouth International Airport, attractions here include a number of rare aircraft which are maintained in flying condition, an unusual picnic area close to the end of the runway and many interesting displays.
Open hours: daily, April to October - 10:00 to 17:00, November to March - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Waterfront Museum

Address: 4 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1BW, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 262600
The Waterfront Museum is located in Poole, close by, and this historic museum is full of Poole history, including information about the Studland Bay Wreck and trade with Newfoundland. Highlights at this traditional attraction include various hands-on activities, numerous displays, videos and a local research centre, packed with information about the history of Poole and its community.
Open hours: April to October, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00, November to March, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 15:00, Sunday - 2:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Other interesting museums in the Bournemouth area include the following museums:

• Aldershot Military Museum
  Address: Queens Avenue, Aldershot, GU11 2LG, England
• Andover Museum of the Iron Age
  Address: 6 Church Close, Andover, SP10 1DP, England
• Beaulieu Motor Museum
  Address: John Montagu Building Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN, England
• Breamore House and Countryside Museum
  Address: Breamore, Fordingbridge, SP6 2DF, England
• Buckler's Hard Maritime Museum
  Address: Buckler's Hard Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7XB, England
• Cavalcade of Costume Museum
  Address: Lime Tree House The Plocks, Blandford, DT11 7AA, England
• D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery
  Address: Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, PO5 3NT, England
• The Dinosaur Museum
  Address: Icen Way, Dorchester, DT1 1EW, England
• Dorset County Museum
  Address: High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA, England
• The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum
  Address: Antelope Walk, Dorchester, DT1 1BE, England
• Fleet Air Arm Museum
  Address: RNAS Yeovilton Ilchester, Yeovil, BH22 8HT, England
• The Gurkha Museum
  Address: Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road, Winchester, SO23 8TS, England
• The King's Royal Hussars Museum
  Address: Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road, Winchester, SO23 8TS, England
• The Keep Military Museum
  Address: Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road, Winchester, SO23 8TS, England
• Langton Matravers Museum
  Address: St. George's Close Langton, Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3HE, England
• Mechanical Music and Doll Collection
  Address: Church Road Portfield, Chichester, PO19 4HN, England
• Museum of Army Flying
  Address: Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, SO20 8DY, England
• Museum of Electricity
  Address: The Old Power Station Bargates, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1QE, England
• New Art Centre Sculpture Park and Gallery
  Address: Roche Court East Winterslow, Salisbury, SP5 1BG, England
• New Forest Museum and Visitor Centre
  Address: High Street Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY, England
• Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
  Address: Porter's Lodge Building 1/7 College Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ, England
• Priest's House Museum and Garden
  Address: 23-27 High Street, Wimborne, BH21 1HR, England
• Red House Museum and Gardens
  Address: Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU, England
• Redcoats in the Wardrobe
  Address: 58 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EX, England
• Royal Marines Museum
  Address: Eastney Esplanade, Southsea, PO4 9PX, England
• Royal Navy Submarine Museum
  Address: Royal Navy Submarine Museum Offices, Hasler Jetty Road, Gosport, PO12 2AS, England
• Royal Signals Museum
  Address: Blandford, Blandford Forum, DT11 8RH, England
• Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
  Address: The King's House 65 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN, England
• Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
  Address: Bashley Cross Road, New Milton, BH25 5SZ, England
• Tank Museum
  Address: The Tank Museum, Bovington, BH20 6JG, England
• The Tutankhamum Exhibition
  Address: High west Street, Dorchester, DT1 1UW, England
• Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
  Address: TVC Memorial Cottages Tolpuddle, near Dorchester, DT2 7EH, England
• Vintage Costume Collection
  Address: Village Hall Spetisbury, Blandford Forum, DT11 9DD, England

Interesting arts and crafts centres in the Bournemouth area include:

• Atrium Gallery
  Address: Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, England
• Branksome China Works
  Address: Shaftesbury Street, Fordingbridge, SP6 1JF, England
• Lighthouse
  Address: Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG, England
• Pavilion Theatre
  Address: Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU, England
• Poole Pottery Ltd
  Address: The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1RF, England
• Regent Centre
  Address: 51 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1AS, England
• Whitchurch Silk Mill
  Address: 28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, RG28 7AL, England