WINNERS! Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens both awarded 2020 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award

17th September 2020

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and the historic Lower Gardens in Bournemouth recently announced they have both been recognised as a 2020 Travellers’ Choice award-winners. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are known for consistently receiving great visitor feedback, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses worldwide.  (Lower Gardens Image - Credit: Adam Cowdrill)

The Grade II Listed Lower Gardens, always beautifully planted and well-maintained, give a seasonal nod to the town’s Victorian heritage and are regarded as a must visit in their own right. The Visitor Centre, established in 2015, is not only the gateway to Hengistbury Head and Mudeford Spit, but is certainly the best place to start your visit. Built to help everyone learn how and why to visit this special place responsibly, money raised in the visitor centre gift shop helps to support the conservation management work undertaken on site.

Cllr Felicity Rice, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change said; ““This is really great news – it’s the hard work of everyone involved that makes both the Lower Gardens and the Visitor Centre such award-winning attractions. I remember the first time I visited the gardens, amazed that such a beautiful park was right in the centre of Bournemouth!  Not only are they significantly important and popular green spaces but they both offer a wealth of history. The Grade II listed Victorian gardens and, as a Site of Special Scientific Site, the protected wildlife area of Hengistbury Head, it’s impressive to have both on our doorstep.

Added Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “This is really great news – it’s the hard work of everyone involved that makes both the Lower Gardens and the Visitor Centre such award-winning attractions. I remember the first time I visited the gardens, amazed that such a beautiful park was right in the centre of Bournemouth!  Not only are they significantly important and popular green spaces but they both offer a wealth of history. The Grade II listed Victorian gardens and, as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the protected wildlife area of Hengistbury Head, it’s impressive to have both on our doorstep.”

Credit: Where's Mollie