Pottery painting café with all sorts of pottery to decorate in your own personal style, from plates and mugs to woodland creatures.  A lovely souvenir or gift to take home from your holiday and a great activity for kids on rainy days.

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An 18 hole mini course is at the heart of the lower gardens between Bournemouth pier and the main town centre. The course includes 12 accessible holes which are fun for all the family

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Bournemouth lends itself to cycling and this friendly, efficient and good value cycle hire with knowledgeable staff will sort you out with bikes for all the family.  Conveniently located in the centre of town Kool Cycles holds a large stock of well-maintained modern bikes of various frame sizes.  An ideal way to explore the area and have great fun in the process.

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Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom is Bournemouth’s stunning Art Deco theatre providing year-round entertainment. Built in the 1920s, this vintage theatre retains its original and elegant styling and is home to touring West End stage shows, Opera, Ballet, Pantomime, Comedy and concerts. 

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Enjoy all weather fun at this family friendly attraction - marvel at the fascinating sea creatures, come face to face with sharks, watch the water come alive with penguins, meet the very cute otter family and lots more!  Top off a great day with a meal at the Bay View Terrace or Offshore Café and enjoy the panoramic views.

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A chic upscale restaurant located in the Hilton hotel, where you can enjoy bold modern British dishes using the finest seasonal produce.  Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, along with popular Sunday Roasts. 

Schpoons and Forx , Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth BH2 5EL (T: 01202 200 187)

Good value family Italian restaurant but in no way scrimping on authentic flavour, quality ingredients and a bustling, friendly atmosphere.

Valentino Exeter Road, Bournemouth BH2 5AP (T: 01202 293332)

Bustling coffee shop with a bohemian vibe serving ethically sourced speciality coffee and delicious, super healthy home cooked food.  Sister café to Boscanova.

South Coast Roast 24 Richmond Hill Bournemouth BH2 6EJ (T: 01202 551 197)

A vibrant, contemporary Mexican restaurant serving dishes inspired by Mexican street food, specialising in Tacos and Mezcal.

Ojo Rojo 106 Commercial Road, Bournemouth BH2 5LR (T: 01202 555 282)

Lively and authentic tapas restaurant serving a wide variety of homemade dishes from across Spain.

Lolas Tapas Bournemouth BH2 5RT (T: 07588 065360)

Nestled beneath stunning cliffs, Bournemouth Beach (also known as Bournemouth Central Beach) is the popular stretch of sand to the east and west of Bournemouth Pier. Enjoying its own micro-climate with some of the warmest sea waters in the UK, and with spectacular views of the Isle of Wight, this is one of the busiest parts of the full seven-mile stretch of sandy beaches that run along the Bournemouth coastline.

Easy walking distance from the shops, bars and restaurants in the centre of Bournemouth, there are lots of things to do here too, from the selection of rides, amusements and boat trips that depart from Bournemouth Pier, to the shore zip wire, to a refreshing paddle in the waves, or a spell relaxing in the sunshine on a deckchair. Bournemouth Oceanarium is also located on the seafront, as are many bars, cafes and restaurants to suit every taste.

A Land Train runs along the promenade from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier, or to Alum Chine - perfect for children or anyone else who wants to save their legs whilst enjoying views of the beach.

Dogs are not permitted on this stretch of beach, but are allowed on a lead on the promenade.

Alum Chine is a wide sandy beach with a paddling pool and large adventure playground, making it the perfect beach to visit if you have young children in tow.

Meanwhile, the scenic sub-tropical gardens behind the beach with stunning views out to the Solent are a big draw for the older visitor. Due to the mild micro-climate along this stretch of the south coast, it's possible to grow many exotic species successfully. 

The beach also boasts Blue Flag status, beach huts for hire and a large car park, as well as a regular bus service to and from Bournemouth Centre. The popular Land Train also links Alum Chine with other beaches along the long sandy stretch of Bournemouth seafront.

There's a popular family-friendly Italian restaurant, Vesuvio, and many ice cream vendors to keep you refreshed during the day.

A variety of watersports are available here including kayaking/canoeing, fishing, swimming, sailing and windsurfing.

Dogs are allowed on parts of the beach throughout the year although they are banned from certain areas - check local signage for details.

Branksome Beach is a wide, golden stretch of sand popular among locals and visitors alike, in part due to its Blue Flag status which highlights high standards of cleanliness on the beach and in the bathing waters.

The beach benefits from a promenade behind and many facilities including beach huts, shop, bar and restaurant. There is also good disabled access and a safe swim zone.

Watersports include swimming and windsurfing and there is lifeguard cover in the summer months.

Dogs are not allowed on the main beach from the 1st May - 30th September, however they are allowed on the promenade on a short lead.

Boscombe is a popular family beach with plenty of sand, and a small pier with extensive facilities including a children’s play area, several seafront shops and cafés, crazy golf, plenty of parking and a safe traffic free area perfect for cycling and scooters.

A beautifully quiet and tranquil stretch of golden sandy beach where you can enjoy a swim in crystal clear waters or relax in the sunshine on the soft sand with a picnic and a book. Apart from toilets on the promenade, there are no facilities at the beach itself but the shops, bars and restaurants of Canford Cliffs are within easy walking distance.