101 Things to do in Bournemouth (2023)

Back for 2023, as I spend the summer pootling round my home town, is my list of things to do in and around Bournemouth. This year it’s been updated and expanded with more things to do and more information. As I have added extra places, I am calling it 101 Things to do in Bournemouth. How close can I get to 101? Last year’s 100 Things to do in Bournemouth reached 84 before I got fed up of the cold and booked a flight to California…

Below is a list of my plans for 101 Things to do in Bournemouth in 2023. As the year progresses, I will add updated the links. In the meantime, there are links to the 2022 blog posts.

I’ve created separate sections for Beaches and Festivals. Plus added some ideas for Day Trips from Bournemouth. Finally, with my first grandchild due imminently, I have added a For Children section for each attraction.

Beaches

First up, what many people come to Bournemouth for; the beaches. There are 14 award winning beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, detailed below from east to west. With the exception of the first three, they are all linked via the Promenade, which runs from Southbourne, through Bournemouth to Poole. The first three are almost linked by a separate promenade, which runs from Mudeford Quay – it doesn’t quite reach as far as Highcliffe.

Festivals and

Annual Events

One of the reasons I love living in Bournemouth is the fact that there is plenty of entertainment on offer. Throughout the summer months, there are festivals and other events every weekend. Here is a smorgasbord of what’s happening in 2023.

I shall be endeavouring to check out as many as possible. Subscribe to my Newsletter for a handy spreadsheet of festivals with websites, venues, prices and other details.

Bournemouth Bay Run (2 April)
King Cat Coronation Beer Festival (4-8 May)
Increase the Peace (7 May)
Christchurch Cheese & Chilli Festival (20-21 May)
Magic of Thailand (20-21 May)
Ultimate Festivals (26-28 May)
Christchurch Food Festival (27-29 May)
Poole Seafood Festival (2-4 Jun)
Race for Life – Poole (3 June)
Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival (10-11 June)
Race for Life – Bournemouth (11 June)
BEAF (16-23 June)
Harry Paye Pirate Day (17 June)
World of Love (17 June)
Folk on the Quay (24 June)
Shake & Stir (24-25 June)
Pier to Pier Swim (1 July)
Bournemouth Bus Rally (2 July)
Bourne Free (7-8 July)
Grooves on the Green (15-16 July)
RNLI Mudeford Lifeboat Fun Day (16 July)
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender (28-30 July)
Poole Harbour Festival (28-30 July)
Littledown Family Fun Day (30 July)
Proms in the Park (4-5 August)
Stompin’ on the Quomps (5 August)
Christchurch Carnival (12-13 August)
Bournemouth Air Festival (31 August – 3 September)
Arts by the Sea (29 September – 1 October)
Run Bournemouth (7-8 October)
The Gin to my Tonic (13-14 October)
Poole Beer Festival (TBC)
Christmas Tree Wonderland (18 November – 2 January 2024)
Maritime Christmas Lights Festival (TBC)

Bournemouth

Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities

Shopping

Suburbs of Bournemouth

Christchurch

Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities

Poole

Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities

Shopping

The Dolphin Centre/Kingland

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Day Trips from Bournemouth

Bournemouth is surrounded by coastal towns and the New Forest. Here are some easily accessible day trip suggestions.

Corfe Castle
Hurst Castle
Moors Valley Country Park
New Forest Tour (Red Route, Blue Route, Green Route)
Open Top Bus to Swanage