Bournemouth Parks and Gardens

(Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK)



Bournemouth Parks and GardensPrimarily a seaside town centred around its attractive beachfront and coastline, central Bournemouth is also widely known for its charming gardens and spacious parks, together with neighbouring Boscombe, Southbourne and Westbourne.

With over 780 hectares / 2,000 acres of glorious parks and green spaces, Bournemouth has won the coveted Britain in Bloom Award on several occasions, with many areas participating in the Gardens of Excellence Scheme. Each year, the town's committed team of gardeners plant almost 300,000 bedding plants, filling the borders with colour all through the summer season.

The historic Victorian Pleasure Gardens provide the town with an important green parkland area and this is the perfect place to relax in the centre, on your way to the pier. On the other side of the shopping precinct, just past the Obscura Cafe, the Central Gardens come with Bournemouth's best playground, as well as the Tennis Centre and an almost endless selection of strategically placed benches.


Bournemouth Parks and Gardens

Upper, Central and Lower Pleasure Gardens

Address: Central Bournemouth, Dorset, England
The spectacular Pleasure Gardens are situated in the heart of the town centre, next to Bournemouth Pier and the shopping area. Created in the 1840s for the Meyrick family, this landscaped haven covers around 17.5 hectares / 45 acres and lies either side of the shallow River Bourne stream.

The beautiful Pleasure Gardens have won many national awards and attractions are certainly plentiful, including flower borders with colourful bedding plants, large pine trees, palms, ornamental shrubs, open areas of grass, pathways, benches, picnic areas, aviaries, friendly grey squirrels, artists markets, deckchairs, a bandstand with regular brass band concerts, a miniature golf course, table tennis, ice cream stalls and the famous 'Bournemouth Eye' balloon.

Bournemouth Parks and Gardens

Compton Acres

Address: 164 Canford Cliffs Road, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7ES, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 700778
Compton Acres features seven spectacular gardens and is one of the most famous privately-owned gardens in Dorset. Situated on the outskirts of Bournemouth, within the Canford Cliffs area of Poole, Compton Acres features a series of different international themes, with the stunning Japanese garden being especially notable and home to some giant koi carp. Other highlights include a formal Italian garden with a large pond, a Roman grotto, Palm Court, an alpine and heather garden, English herbaceous flower borders, sculptures, specimen trees, a restaurant, seating areas, a model railway, a plant centre and a large car park.

Alum Chine - including Argyll Gardens

Address: West Overcliffe Drive, Westbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
The famous Alum Chine gardens cover more than 7 hectares / 18 acres and this is the largest of four chines in the Bournemouth area. Attractions here include woodland areas, Mediterranean-style planting, the popular Treasure Island play area for children, views of the sea, drystone walls made with Portland stone, a terrace garden, a bowling green and many impressive exotic plant specimens, such as magnificent palms and yuccas. Originally designed and planted in the 1920s, the Alum Chime gardens were re-landscaped in 1996, regaining much of the original historic character, and a new paved viewing platform was created. The tropical gardens of Alum Chine are situated at the bottom of Mountbatten Road, within the Westbourne area, with limited parking being available along the West Overcliffe Drive.

Knyveton Gardens

Address: Frances Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
The Knyveton Gardens are located in the East Cliff area of Bournemouth and are spread over 1 hectare / 2.5 acres. Just a few minutes walk from the town's main train and bus stations, Knyveton Gardens are also close to Boscombe beach. Visitors will find two bowling greens, a café within the pavilion, three tennis courts, a sensory garden, a pond, spectacular summer flower borders featuring thousands of bedding plants, and many seating areas.

Seafield Gardens

Address: Seafield Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
The beautiful Seafield Gardens cover over 2 hectares / 6 acres of landscaped gardens and reside within the Southbourne area, on the eastern side of Bournemouth and close to the Overcliff Drive. These important community gardens are located close to the cliff top and beaches, and feature many excellent facilities, such as bowling greens, tennis courts, croquet lawns and play areas for children. The Seafield Gardens were created in 1928 and at the centre is a large and impressive water tower, which is actually designated a Grade II Listed building. Other attractions here include the bowling pavilion and many colourful flower borders.