About Us
Shopping
Bournemouth’s bustling town centre boasts a pedestrianised high street and Victorian arcades, department stores, high street favourites, and independent retailers. Commercial Road and Old Christchurch Road are where you will find most of the high street names, but don’t miss the bohemian Triangle area, Lansdowne’s buzzing business hub, and the upmarket Westover Road!
National Brands
Commercial Road and Old Christchurch Road are the places to go for many of the well-known high street names, and don’t miss the beautiful Victorian Bournemouth Arcade for even more. Bournemouth is also home to several department stores, stocking a wide variety of brands.
Independents
Bournemouth is full of great independents, but you sometimes need to go off the beaten track a little to find them. Exploring Albert Road, Yelverton Road, Burlington Arcade, Westover Road and the Triangle will help you make some amazing discoveries!
Services
If you need a bank or building society, some new glasses, some foreign currency for your next overseas adventure, or maybe a new job, Bournemouth town centre is the place to come! Not to mention travel, education, insurance, sales and lettings, and much more! Bournemouth also has a thriving office culture, including what is often considered one of the best creative sectors outside of London. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it here.
Food & Drink
The excellent food and drink offering really sets Bournemouth town centre apart from other local shopping centres, and enables you to make a day of it. Whether it’s a quick drink and a cake to fuel you for more shopping, a meal with family or friends, a chilled out early evening get-together or a crazy night out, Bournemouth town centre is the place to come.
Restaurants
You can’t walk far in Bournemouth without stumbling across a great place to eat, but make sure you head off the beaten track to experience some real gems! Head to the Triangle, Old Christchurch Road and Lansdowne for independents, or the Bh2 Leisure complex for some well-known names!
Cafes
Feeling peckish or thirsty but don’t want a huge sit-down meal? No problem! Bournemouth town centre is a great place to grab a coffee and snack while you shop, or to sit and watch the world go by! Don’t miss the fabulous gelato and bubble tea available at a variety of venues!
Bars & Pubs
Bournemouth town centre has everything from cosy traditional pubs to buzzing modern bars, from real ale to cosmopolitan cocktails, from quirky independents to popular chains. It’s well worth exploring the Triangle and Lansdowne for some unexpected finds!
Nightclubs
Bournemouth has some of the finest nightclubs around, and with Purple Flag status, you can enjoy a well-managed and safe night out with peace of mind. Head to the Square or Old Christchurch Road after dark for a variety of venues.
Leisure & Entertainment
There is so much to do in Bournemouth town centre – state-of-the-art cinema, virtual reality, escape rooms, soft play, arcades, bowling, tennis, crazy golf, and so much more.
Cinema
Next to the Square, you’ll find the state-of-the-art Bh2 Leisure complex. With a 10 screen ODEON cinema including an immersive and cutting-edge ‘ISENSE’ screen you can indulge in the latest blockbusters.
Entertainment
Also at Bh2 you will find virtual reality and mini golf, or head to Glen Fern Road for bowling, golf, soft play, arcades and Laser Quest. Bournemouth town centre also has a number of exciting escape rooms, and don’t forget to check out the Pavilion and Bournemouth International Centre for fantastic theatre and live music.
Events & Festivals
*Please check with event organisers directly.*
Bournemouth town centre is such an exciting place to be! There is always something going on, from the awesome annual Air Festival to the wonderfully creative Arts By The Sea Festival. Don’t miss the spectacular annual Bourne Free Festival in July – the parade is always a highlight of the year! And from mid-November, see the town centre come alive with beautiful lights and festive fun on the run up to Christmas.
Hair & Beauty
Why not treat yourself at one of Bournemouth’s many hairdressers or barbershops, or get buffed and polished at one of the nail bars in town? The town centre is also home to many incredible tattoo parlours – there’s something for everyone.
Fitness & Leisure
There are gyms dotted about all over town, not to mention the Tennis Centre in the Lower Gardens, the Jiu Jitsu Academy at Lansdowne and much more.
Beach & Gardens
There can’t be many town centres where the beach is this invitingly close – just take a stroll through the beautiful Victorian Lower Gardens to find yourself at Bournemouth Pier, with stunning golden sand stretching in both directions. It’s also well worth exploring the Central Gardens and Horseshoe Common, tranquil retreats from the bustle of the town centre.
Need Assistance?
Town Rangers
The Bournemouth Town Rangers are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the town, helping visitors and locals get the most out of Bournemouth town centre. Whether you’re out shopping, work in the town centre or here on holiday, they’re on hand to give directions, answer questions or assist if there’s a problem, helping to ensure the town is a safe, attractive and enjoyable place to visit. The team cover the town centre from the Triangle to Lansdowne. Look out for them in their distinctive red uniform.
Wayfinding Signs
Look out for our wayfinding signs at regular intervals throughout the town centre. They feature clear, concise maps with a ‘You Are Here’ marker and an indication of what lies within a 5 minute walk.
Getting Here
Parking
The good news is that Bournemouth has some of the most competitive parking pricing on the south coast – if you know where to go!
Best value for short stay:
If you just want to nip into town quickly, you don’t want to pay a fortune! The Central car park on Upper Hinton Road (easy access to all parts of town), and the Madeira Road multi-storey are council owned and run, and have cheap rates for shorter stays. If you are staying between 2 and 4 hours, then the Richmond Gardens car park, Richmond Hill car park and St Stephens Road car park are also excellent value.
Best value for long stay:
If you’re planning to be in town all day, or over 4 hours, the independent Glen Fern multi-storey, Central, Cotlands Road and the Madeira Road multi-storey offer excellent value.
For more information on parking in Bournemouth, visit the BCP Council website.
Buses
Bournemouth town centre is well served by More Buses. Head to the Square for buses to Christchurch, Southbourne, Boscombe, Winton, Moordown, Westbourne, Parkstone, Poole, Kinson, East Howe and West Howe, and more, leaving and arriving on a regular basis.
Taxis
Taxis are available anywhere in the town centre, but head to Westover Road, Exeter Road or Avenue Road for taxi ranks where there is usually a cab waiting.
