Visit Bournemouth

Attractions

Bournemouth has plenty to offer its visitors as well as the usual attractions of a seaside town such as the beach, pier and amusements. Bournemouth beach is sandy and clean and it’s a lovely place to be on a summer’s day. If you want to take a break from the beach or are looking for somewhere to take the kids on a rainy afternoon then there is a good deal of choice. Laser Quest is an entertainment and games centre that should please all the family, you can even arrange to have a birthday celebration at the centre, there are games to please both boys and girls, which makes it a good family day out.

If you are looking for evening entertainment then the Landmarc Restaurant Theatre should fit the bill. The theatre is housed in an old church in the town centre and regularly puts on a variety of performances on its purpose built stage. The theatre hosts the best of the country’s tribute bands, international pop stars and comedy shows; the food is good and is recognized as a value for money night out. The Oceanarium is a seafront aquarium close to Bournemouth pier, the aquarium has many different kinds of fish and other sea creatures and there is a café there if you feel like a break.

If you are an art lover and have already visited the main art gallery, then the Westover gallery is well worth a look. The atmosphere is relaxing and you can walk round and enjoy the good selection of paintings that are on display. For car lovers there is the Beaulieu National Museum, which houses one of the finest collection of cars in the world. The Museum is just outside of Bournemouth in the heart of the New Forest and you can also see the historic Beaulieu Abbey. The Abbey was founded by a group of Cistercian monks in 1204 on land that King John had given them. Although quite a bit of the Abbey was destroyed during Henry the Eighth’s dissolution of the monasteries, there is still a lot left for interested visitors to see. Children will enjoy a visit to Monkey World, which houses rescue chimpanzees where they can live in a natural environment. Monkey World also has outdoor play areas for children and a large cafeteria that can seat up to four hundred people.

If you like skating then a visit to Bournemouth International Centre is a must with its large indoor ice rink. You should also visit Moors Valley Railway where you can experience a ride on an authentic steam train. While you’re there take some time to visit the Moor Valley Country Park with its wonderful woodlands and lakes. For those interested in various forms of transport then a visit to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum might be interesting. The museum is used as an operational base that houses ex military vintage aircraft such as Hunters, Vampires and Venoms, which are restored and occasionally taken out.