Bournemouth Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Bournemouth

    Until the 16th century, Bournemouth’s main visitors were fishermen and gangs of smugglers. It was a remote and barren area until Lewis Tregonwell founded the town in 1810. Tregonwell, a retired army officer, developed his land for holiday lettings by building sea villas for tourists. Bournemouth was recognised as a town in 1870 and became a popular tourist destination in the ...Read more19th Century. The arrival of railway in the town meant a growth in visitors from London and the Midlands. In 1880, Bournemouth’s population was 17,000, but by 1900 due to the new railway and tourist industry, it had risen to 60,000. Read less

  • 2. Now in Bournemouth

    Bournemouth is still a popular tourist destination, with its golden sands and sea that is perfect for a wide range of watersports. The town boasts award winning gardens, fantastic shops and a vibrant nightlife.

  • 3. Events in Bournemouth

    Bournemouth is the host to the Bournemouth Air Festival and The Great Dorset Steam Fair. The town prides itself on its great number of free events that are suitable for all ages.

  • 4. Attractions in Bournemouth

    The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum has a host of 19th century painting that were collected by the Russell-Cotes family from as far afield as Japan and Russia. Take a trip on the Bournemouth Eye, it is a helium filled balloon which has an enclosed gondola that holds up to 30 people. The gondola then floats up to 390ft, providing a stunning view of Bournemouth and the surroun...Read moreding areas. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Bournemouth

    Bournemouth is located on the South coast of England, so it is a great place to visit whether you want to sunbathe on the beach or try your hand at some watersports. If you would prefer to stay on land, then Bournemouth has gorgeous parks and gardens where you can enjoy a guided tour.

  • 6. Business in Bournemouth

    Bournemouth’s growth as a town was initially due to the tourism industry, but now Bournemouth has a wide variety of businesses including independent restaurants and cafes. There are a wide range of popular high street shops as well as unique, one-off shops.

  • 7. Transport in Bournemouth

    Bournemouth has a very comprehensive rail network, with two railway stations; Bournemouth and Pokesdown to the east. Bournemouth also has three funicular railways that link the seaside to the cliff tops. They are the East Cliff Railway, West Cliff Railway and Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Railway.

  • 8. Entertainment in Bournemouth

    The Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre offer fantastic live entertainment including ballet, comedy, musicals, and children’s shows. The Pavilion Dance Centre has over 40 classes a week, and is a great place to go if you want to learn a new dance style.

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Bournemouth

    Bournemouth Pier, which was finished in 1880, is made from cast iron and stretches across the Bournemouth and Poole shoreline. One of Bournemouth’s famous sons, Russell Cotes campaigned to get the promenade built.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Bournemouth

    The beach hut was invented in Bournemouth in 1908, and the town rents out the oldest beach huts in the world.

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Bournemouth Events

  • Kids Family Fun Festival

    July - August If you are
    stuck for things to do with
    the kids during the school
    holidays, head down to
    Bournemouth’s Lower
    Gardens. There will be a host
    of games and fun for all of
    the family to enjoy,
    including puppet shows,
    magicians and clow ...more

  • Candle Light Nights

    July -August In 1896,
    Princess Eugenie of France
    visited Bournemouth. Her
    route through the Bournemouth
    gardens was lit by candles,
    and thus the tradition for
    the flowers by candlelight
    began. Now visitors to the
    event light thousands of
    candles ...more

  • The Bournemouth Great Dorset Steam Fair

    September At the beginning
    of every September, the
    Bournemouth Great Dorset
    Steam Fair is held in the
    beautiful Dorset countryside.
    From humble beginnings, the
    fair has grown into one of
    the leading steam events in
    Britain. If you are
    interested ...more

  • Friday Family Fiestas

    July - August The Friday
    Family Fiestas take place
    throughout the summer in the
    Lower Gardens and Pier
    Approach in Bournemouth. The
    fun filled days include
    street entertainment and fire
    performances and are finished
    off with an amazing firework
    ...more

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  • Spartans brave waters for Christmas Day swim

    Bournemouth based swimming club the Spartans took to the water at Boscombe for a fancy dress dip on Christmas Day. The annual event saw dozens of brave souls head to the waters in a variety of fancy dress outfits including a wolf, a pirate, sailors, a unicorn, a princess, Dennis the Menace, Victorian swimmers and even some swimmers in Christmas outfits. The Spartans Swimming Club was established in 1951 and the traditional Christmas event has been taking place for many …

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  • Shock as sea bass make their way upstream to Mudeford Quay

    Brothers Tom and Sam Farwell from Muscliff were surprised when they caught a sea bass while out crab fishing with their Granddad at Mudeford Quay. The two boys, aged eight and five, had only been fishing once before but knew they were in for a special surprise when they saw a large fish circling their line. Their grandfather Geoff Thomas said: “I’d just made up a couple of very simple lines with a few scraps of cod. “We dropped the …

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  • Runners put their best feet forward at Somerley Estate

    The Somerley Estate saw hundreds of runners try to burn off some extra pounds at an event held in aid of The Wessex Autistic Society. Around 750 people took part and ran either the 5k or 10k in the grounds of the Somerley Estate stately home. Supporters including family and friends attended the event to cheer on both the experienced and amateur runners. The 10k run started at 11am and those running the 5k started just a few minutes later. …

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  • Superhero proposal is a dream come true

    Claire Henderson always said that she wanted a low key proposal, but her now husband-to-be Marc Butler had other plans! The blushing bride to be was stunned when she heard a marching band approaching her home in Bournemouth but never dreamed that it would end in a marriage proposal. Her fiancé Marc planned the proposal for New Year’s Eve (which is also Claire’s birthday) after dreaming that he proposed in exactly the same way. To make the dream come true, …

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