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Guide to Bournemouth

Bournemouth and Poole offer plenty to do, from nightlife to sport, and from the countryside to the beach

An aerial photograph showing a clifftop, a promenade, a beach and the sea.

Guide to Bournemouth

We’ve got award-winning beaches, a famous nightlife, a thriving arts scene, and outstanding natural beauty.

On campus, you’ll find lots of great resources and facilities too. We have an unrivalled library that’s totally dedicated to the creative arts, plus a gallery where we exhibit inspiring works from renowned artists.

Take a look at our Students’ Union for lots of useful information about what’s happening on and off campus.

There’s a canteen, bar and café on campus and plenty more to choose from at the neighbouring Bournemouth University, which you’re welcome to make use of. While you’re over at BU, you’ll also find fitness facilities at SportBU, the student union shop, a bookshop and a Santander Bank.

Where to go
Seaside promenade with palm trees, sandy beach, pier extending into blue sea, white clouds, and colourful beach huts.

Our beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status

We've secured our status as the UK's leading coastal destination, with nine of our beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole achieving Blue Flag status for another year.

Bournemouth beach has also been selected as the 12th best beach in the world – and the best in the UK – by the TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Awards 2025.

Find out more

What our town looks like

Discover our students' favourite spots

Hear directly from our students where they love to explore, from places around Bournemouth town centre to the Jurassic Coast and beyond.

Phone shot of Colmers Hill, tall hill in the distance with purple flowers on one side and trees on top, big hill in front with trees and foliage to the left. A bright sunny day with a blue sky above.

Taking a break from studies with a two-night camping trip in Dorset

So, what could go wrong? Three housemates, a tent, a stove, a car for transport and a booking with a campsite...

Beach and sea at Sandbanks under a cloudy sky with a small sailboat on the water in the distance.

How to spend an afternoon visiting Sandbanks and Compton Acres

I think we can all agree that once the sun comes out, the best place to be is at the beach, especially when you are studying in...

Four students outside University House on campus, two stood up next to a large film camera on a tripod, two including Rachel sat down, smiling with dark leather and colourful clothing.

Staying creative during your time at university

Staying creative outside of university and classes can definitely be a struggle. So much of our creative work is self-motivated...

Trees in a sunny park near Horseshoe Common, Bournemouth,

A lone wolf in a loud world – how I’ve found my own company is the most healing experience

University can feel loud and fast-paced, with this unspoken pressure to always be social, always be out there, always surrounded...

White chalk cliffs and sea stacks against blue ocean with white foam waves. Clear blue sky above, green grass in foreground.

My top five things to do from halls as a first year exploring Bournemouth

Second-year Textiles Design student Lillia Bowsher shares her top five tips on the best things to do and places to see after her first...

Explore Bournemouth

Two rows of colourful beach huts on the sand.

Travel

There's so much to explore in our local area, and getting around is a walk in the park – here are some helpful travel tips

View of a coastline with rocks and cliffsides in the foreground.

Discover Dorset

While studying with us, you’ll have easy access the UK’s most outstanding coastal landscapes.

A man on stage, holding a guitar and facing away from the camera.

Where to go

From local events, to independent shops and restaurants, there's so much to do in Bournemouth – discover your new hometown