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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Watch a Firework Display
If you’re a fan of pyrotechnics, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a free firework display in the Bournemouth area, particularly during the summer holiday season. And, of course, around 5th November for Guy Fawkes. Here are some dates for 2025. All of the events listed are free with the exception of Littledown Fireworks…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Dolphin Centre/Kingland
Situated in the centre of Poole, Dolphin Shopping Centre is Poole’s premier shopping destination with over 80 stores, a range of dining options, plenty of entertainment, plus a host of other facilities. The Dolphin Centre first opened in 1969. When I first started coming to Poole many years ago, I used to think the Dolphin…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – The Saltwater Sauna
The Saltwater Sauna is a collection of Finnish saunas in huts overlooking the beach. Here, you can relax in the sauna, whilst enjoying the stunning sea views through a panoramic window, then pop outside for a refreshing dip in the sea. And repeat… How to get to the Saltwater Sauna Sandbanks The Saltwater Sauna has…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Compton Acres
Compton Acres brands itself as the south’s finest privately owned gardens. It consists of a ten acre series of separate, themed, interlinked gardens joined by landscaped trails. The gardens were designed in the 1920s by Thomas William Simpson, whose vision was to create a necklace of gardens, each one being a beautiful bead in this…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Hire a Beryl Bike/Scooter
The perfect way to get around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is to hire a Beryl Bike or Beryl Scooter. The 1150 bikes and scooters reside mostly in bays (marked by green painted rectangles) of which there are 355 across the three towns. But they could, theoretically, be anywhere. Just locate the nearest bike or scooter…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Poole Old Lifeboat Museum
Poole has a long and colourful maritime history, which is in evidence as you walk along the Quay. There has been a lifeboat based at Poole for over 150 years, with the current and former lifeboat stations located at either ends of the Quay. On the eastern end, sits Poole Old Lifeboat Museum. The building,…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Harry Paye Day
Every June, Poole Quay is awash with pirates whilst the sound of cannons and sea shanties drifts across the harbourside for the annual celebration of Harry Paye Day. Around 10,000 visitors descend upon the quay annually, many in fancy dress, to enjoy the festivities and maybe partake of a rum or two. The day starts…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Go Shopping at a Market
I love wandering around a street market checking out the merchandise. Whether it’s in some exotic far flung location or doing my weekly shop on a Monday morning at Christchurch Market Selecting the plumpest, juiciest strawberries while a cheery stallholder tells me they were grown in Lymington, just 10 miles up the road. In fact,…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Race for Life
Race for Life is a series of charity fundraising running/walking events in aid of Cancer Research UK. Events takes place annually in locations across the UK. There are two locally; one in Bournemouth and one in Poole. Race for Life Bournemouth The Bournemouth Race for Life starts on Pier Approach in the centre of Bournemouth…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Poole Park
Poole Park is situated on the edge of Poole Harbour, just a few minutes walk from the centre of Poole. The park covers an area of 110 acres, which includes landscaped gardens, play areas and a boating lake, all with spectacular views across the harbour. There are plenty of activities available within the park, including…
