A-Z of Things to Do in Bournemouth

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About the author: Hi! My name is Gabriella Farrugia. I graduated from Bournemouth University in 2026, achieving a First-Class Honours in Communications and Media, which I absolutely loved. I enjoy good music, running along Bournemouth Beach, recording my podcast, and, of course, writing about what were some of the best years of my life.

Bournemouth isn’t just home to an iconic beach. It’s packed with everything from mouth-wateringly good food and student-friendly bars to beautiful nature spots and cosy places to relax.

To prove just how much there is to do here, I’ve taken on the ultimate A-Z Bournemouth challenge.

Things to do in Bournemouth: my A-Z list

A is for Arch Coffee House

Arch Coffee House quite literally got me through my dissertation. If you’re looking for a calm, friendly place to study - or simply a change of scenery - I couldn’t recommend it enough. This Bournemouth café is also conveniently located opposite Bournemouth train station.

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B is for Bournemouth Beach

I couldn’t write an A-Z of Bournemouth without including Bournemouth Beach. Its seven-mile stretch of sandy coastline is one of the town’s biggest attractions, and Bournemouth Pier is the perfect place to grab a drink or simply enjoy the view. If you can, time your visit with sunset or sunrise.

C is for Castlepoint Shopping Park

Castlepoint is a shopper’s paradise. There are over 35 retailers and many places to eat or drink. Buses, including the M1, can take you to Castlepoint in under thirty minutes. It also makes for a fun day if you would prefer to window shop (and test out the freebies in Rituals…).

D is for Dylan’s Kitchen and Bar

Dylan’s Bar, located in Poole House, Talbot Campus, is Bournemouth University’s very own student bar. With affordable food, regular quiz nights and live gigs, it’s a great place to unwind - or tackle an assignment with a drink in hand.

E is for El Murrino

For delicious Italian food, El Murrino in the town centre is hard to beat. Regular deals are held throughout the week, including a £10.50 lunch deal Monday-Friday. You can also get 25% off food Sunday-Thursday with an A-List Card.

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F is for Flamingo Café Bar

Flamingo Café Bar in Boscombe is lovely for a post-beach run (or walk) treat. They do everything from brunch and afternoon tea to evening cocktails.

G is for Goats

The Bournemouth Goats, in my opinion, are the best part of Bournemouth. Look closely at the beach cliffs, and you’ll spot them. They were originally placed there to manage the vegetation and have since become local celebrities.

H is for Hengistbury Head

Hengistbury Head is a nature reserve and headland with over 500 plant species and around 300 bird species. Far from the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth town life, it showcases Dorset’s natural beauty. It is also a fantastic location to go for a run.

I is for Ice Skating

Between November and January, you can try out ice skating in the Lower Gardens. Be warned, though, it’s much harder than it looks! Tickets can be purchased later in the year from SKATE Bournemouth.

J is for Jägerbombs

Here, the nightlife is full of student deals, and going out is one of the best things to do in Bournemouth. Check out my article on student nights in Bournemouth for my top recommendations.

K is for Kebabs

You cannot go wrong with a kebab, especially after a heavy night out. GDK Bournemouth is where it’s at. Students get 15% off, and the GDK app frequently advertises offers.

L is for Lollipop

There is no better way to spend a Friday night, in my opinion, than at Lollipop at The Old Fire Station. With two dancefloors and plenty of bangers, Lollipop has something for everyone. It is also hosted by the Student Union, meaning that all drinks and tickets are at student-friendly prices. What’s not to love?

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M is for The Mary Shelley

As far as things to do in Bournemouth go, pres at The Mary Shelley is where it’s at. It’s hard to go wrong with a Wetherspoons - especially one with surprisingly nice toilets.

N is for Noodle Bar

If you haven’t heard of Noodle Bar, then you have been living under a rock. It is the place to go if you want a massive portion of yummy noodles. With an A-List Card, mains are 50% off.

O is for O2 Academy Bournemouth

O2 Academy Bournemouth is the go-to venue for live music, comedy and club nights, with big touring artists visiting throughout the year. Catching a show here is one of the most memorable things to do in Bournemouth to tick off your list!

P is for Pause Cat Café

Pause Cat Café is a must for any cat lover. It is home to eleven rescue cats, who you can cuddle and play with for an hour, for only £5. They also serve a selection of food and drink, including ‘Cat-paw-cinos’, perfect for catching up with friends or getting out of the house when you live alone.

Q is for Quay

Poole Quay is a great spot for a walk followed by a fish and chip lunch. It is also located next to the Old Town, if you fancy an exploration. In the summer months, the Quay hosts fireworks displays, plus another display for Bonfire Night in November.

R is for Relaxing

Bournemouth provides many opportunities for relaxation. You can take a stroll down the beach, pick up a smoothie from Revival Wellness Café, try out reformer Pilates, or even experience a seafront sauna.

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S is for Surfing

Living near the beach, there is no better time to try to catch a wave. SUBU Surf Club is for surfers of all levels. The society goes out for surf sessions, has weekly socials, and even goes on international and national surf trips.

T is for Trove

Trove, tucked away in The Arcade, is full of unique clothing, accessories, crafts and toys. There is something new to see every time you visit, so it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Bournemouth.

U is for University

Bournemouth University is home to more than 16,000 students and is especially well-known for its creative courses.

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V is for Vue Cinema Poole

Vue Cinema in Poole is one of the newest local cinemas, complete with reclining seats and laser projection screens.

W is for Winton

Winton is the student hub of Bournemouth. It has its own pubs, restaurants, takeaways, and, most importantly, a Lidl. For some great student housing deals, check out UniHomes’ Winton accommodation.

X is for Xmas Markets

Halfway through November, Bournemouth transforms into a winter wonderland. The Christmas Market features food and drink stalls, a light trail, live music, and ice skating - to name just a few. It is truly magical and definitely worth a visit. I recommend going early in the evening to avoid being run over by buggies…

Y is for Yachting

Head down to the seafront or Poole Harbour to go yachting or sailing across the bay. If this is really your thing, you can join a society like Bournemouth University Sailing Club to meet like-minded friends!

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Z is for The Zig-Zag

At some point, everyone has walked down, or up, the infamous Bournemouth Beach Zig-Zag. I have genuinely never felt so out of breath before on some stairs.

Found things to do in Bournemouth? Find student accommodation

Feeling inspired to make Bournemouth your home?

UniHomes works with letting agencies across Bournemouth to help you find your perfect student home – all with bills included. With options available in popular student areas like Charminster and Winton, there’s plenty to choose from, all near these fun things to do in Bournemouth.

Check out UniHomes’ range of student accommodation in Bournemouth today!