Things to do in Bournemouth

Hotel Collingwood is ideally situated in the centre of Bournemouth, with excellent transport links to the surrounding areas and just a short walk to Bournemouth's 7 miles of golden sands. It's the perfect place to stay while you visit all of Bournemouth’s famous attractions.

We've compiled this blog with some of our favourite destinations and places you should check out while staying in Bournemouth. Read on to learn more.

What to do in Bournemouth?

Bournemouth, located on the south coast of England, is one of the UK's top staycation destinations. It boasts stunning beaches and is a vibrant town with high-street boutiques, eateries, bars and cafes.

Russel-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

Bournemouth boasts an excellent culture refined in the town's long history. To this day, we still have many of the original architecture and culture hot spots. Our favourite is the Russel-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. Just a short distance from Hotel Collingwood, this Victorian house turned art-gallery showcases a unique blend of art and history. Immerse yourself in a fascinating collection and experience this hidden gem's rich cultural heritage.

Bournemouth Oceanarium

For a family-filled adventure, head to Bournemouth's pier approach, where you'll find the Bournemouth Oceanarium. View the wonders of the underwater world and see a diverse collection of marine life. With interactive exhibits and informative presentations, it's an entertaining and informative must for all ages.

Pavilion Theatre

Experience the performing arts like never before at the Pavillion Theatre. From captivating plays to musical performances, they have a jam-packed calendar of shows that promises to deliver a memorable evening. Located in Bournemouth's lower gardens, after your show, enjoy a stroll along the River Bourne, where our town gets its name.

Seven miles of scenic beauty

Bournemouth's coastline is famous for its seven miles of coastline and golden sands. It's nothing short of breathtaking. Stroll along the shore and enjoy the sea breeze as the waves crash onto the beach. Hotel Collingwood's location makes this attraction easily accessible, and with plenty of places to stop along the way for a refreshing drink, this is one of our must-do attractions.

Bournemouth International Centre

Throughout the year, you'll find performances from famous artists, hit acts from days gone by and comedy that will have your sides hurting by the end of the night. On top of this, the BIC regularly hosts exhibitions which vary in their offering. If you're in town for one of the many exhibitions or live performances the BIC has to offer, Hotel Collingwood is ideally located.

Bournemouth Pier & Rock Reef

Bournemouth Pier offers a fantastic vantage point from which to see a lot of this famous coastline, walk in the footsteps of many before you, and get a taste of what our seaside town is like. 

For the adrenaline junkies among you, you'll find a thrilling Zip Wire that takes you over the waves and back to the beach. Or test your upper body strength as you scale the indoor climbing wall. Fun for all the family, guaranteed.

City Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off bus tours

One of our favourite ways to explore is the City Sightseeing tour bus with stops at key attractions. This tour allows you to tailor your exploration, hopping on and off in your own time. With the pick-up point conveniently located outside the hotel, we couldn't recommend this more.

Smuggler Cove Crazy Golf

For those of you who enjoy a round of crazy golf with the family, and let's face it, who doesn't? With its scenic coastal views, Smugglers Cove Golf offers an experience that won't be forgotten quickly. This pirate-themed crazy golf is 18 holes of fun for the whole family.

Things to do in the surrounding area

The areas surrounding Bournemouth are full of exciting and engaging activities, so you’ll never be lost for something to do. Read on to discover some of our recommended attractions a little further away. We've got plenty of free parking, so bring the car if you plan to venture out. If not, don't worry, there are excellent transport links to the local area.

Poole Quay

Poole Quay is a picturesque waterfront location packed full of historic buildings and loads of local history, and it is home to the famous Poole Pottery. Located in the neighbouring town, it's a delightful place to spend the day, enjoy fresh seafood, take the kids crabbing or take a boat trip, either around the harbour or over to the National Trust's Brownsea Island. With so much more on offer, it's worth a visit.

Historic town of Christchurch

In the opposite direction from Poole, you'll find Christchurch. Immerse yourself in the medieval charm of this quaint town, visit the iconic Priory Church or wander through the streets lined with traditional shops and pubs. It's a journey back in time that adds a nostalgic twist to your south coast staycation.

Compton Acres Gardens

Escape the hustle and bustle of town life and visit the award-winning Compton Acres Gardens. Stroll through themed gardens, admiring exotic plants and returning to nature in this botanical haven. Once you've taken in the sights and got some inspiration for your little haven back home, enjoy tea and cake in their tea rooms.

Monkey World

It is a must-visit destination for any animal lover. Monkey World, a renowned primate rescue centre, showcases the incredible conservation work they do in Dorset and around the world to rehabilitate, care for, and protect the ecosystems these animals call home. It's a great day out, whatever your age.

Hengistbury Head

For nature enthusiasts, discover the untouched beauty of Hengistbury Head. Here, you'll find a nature reserve with diverse habitats, perfect for birdwatching and walking trails and one of our favourite places to take in panoramic views of the south coast.

Lulworth Cove 

Although a little drive away from Bournemouth, you will be amazed by the wonders of the Jurassic Coast, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. You'll take in scenic views of the Dorset countryside during your journey, only to be rewarded with spectacular and famous attractions. Their unique rock formations and crystal clear waters are a photographer's dream and demonstrate why they are some of the most visited attractions in Dorset. 

Upton Country Park

Upton Country Park is an expansive park with lakes and woodland walks boasting fantastic views of Poole Harbour, the largest natural harbour in Europe. You'll be treated to wildlife and a tranquil setting to enjoy an afternoon. With places for children to play and tea rooms for a spot of cake to refuel, it's the perfect place to make memories.

During the summer, Upton Country House provides family-friendly festivals and fetes, with live music and food stalls showcasing local breweries and produce made in the areas surrounding Bournemouth.

We've just scratched the surface

We've looked into our favourite, tried and tested attractions that we would recommend, but there is so much more to do, so much more exploring to be done and memories to be made that will last a lifetime.

Hotel Collingwood provides the perfect base of operations for your south coast staycation. Our team are always happy to help; whether you need pointing in the right direction or are looking for a recommendation on a rainy day, ask, and they'll be glad to help.

After a day of exploring, we'll be here waiting for you. Enjoy dinner in our Gold Room restaurant, then retire to the Bubble Lounge for drinks and enjoy the entertainment from live performers. We've got the kids covered, too. Our games room is perfect for them to unwind while you take the weight off and settle in for a relaxed evening.

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