We provide lots of suggested activities around Southbourne for beach goers, cyclists, walkers, dog lovers, foodies, for all ages, abilities & enthusiasms.
SoBo & Boscombe
Finding Your Bearings
The zig-zag to Fisherman's walk beach
To the Beach!
- right out of the drive and cross Boscombe Overcliff Drive
- turn right for Portman Ravine ZigZag (door to shore: 7 mins)
- left for Fisherman’s Walk ZigZag and lift to beach level (undergoing maintenance till mid July 2023)
To The Grove, Southbourne
On foot: (10 mins)
- scenic walk to The Grove: left on Overcliff Drive and left via Fisherman’s Walk
- shortest: left out of the drive, at the end of the road turn right onto Wentworth Avenue, also leads to The Grove
By car:
- There’s on-street parking in various roads, some restricted to an hour; limited availability during school hols!
- Pay & Display car park: Woodside Road, Southbourne, BH5 2AZ
Southbourne & Boscombe Beaches
- crazy golf & cafe Riva - just across the road!
- beach walk to Southbourne Beach and Hengistbury (1 hr 15), east
- beach walk to Boscombe (20 mins) and Bournemouth (1 hr), west
- ice cream kiosks and snacks, public lavatories available in either direction
- SoBo Beach Cafe, on Southbourne Beach, serves tasty, simple snacks and alcohol; usually closes at 4.30pm (maybe later in the summer?), usually a cafe, sometimes a more funky vibe!
Beach Access & Restrictions
- BBQs are permitted on the beach after 6pm
- cycling: during July & August cycling is permitted only before 10am and after 6pm
- dog friendly beach: between Fisherman’s Walk & Southbourne Beaches all year round, clearly signed.
- Other beaches closed to dogs 1 May - 30 Sept.
- a lift operates at Fisherman’s Walk to the beach, for a fee (approx £1.75 per adult)
The dog friendly beach between 1st May & 30th September
Boscombe Pier & Undercliff
- volleyball (£12/hour) - book at the beach office or call 01202 123800
- beach bouldering for children
- Boscombe Chine Gardens, playground and mini golf, BH5 1BL (may be seasonal)
- just beyond the pier, you may see local athletes honing their acrobatic skills at the weekend!
- Sorted Surf Shop - hire & lessons; kit & clothing for kayaking, wind & kite surfing, paddle boarding, kids’ club
- Urban Reef Cafe & The Wood Oven - “cooking with fire” pizza
- walk uphill, turn right and return to the flat along the clifftop, via Boscombe Cliff gardens
Boscombe Seasonal
- fun roadtrain rides from Manor Steps Zig Zag to Bournemouth, via Boscombe Pier
The next pier you see in the distance is Bournemouth! Walk there (1 hour from the apartment), bus back?
Beyond Bournemouth pier, the bay curves round to Canford Cliffs, the sought after properties of Sandbanks and the entrance to Poole harbour. On the far horizon are the hills of Purbeck and, after dark, the twinkling lights of Swanage
Hengistbury, Christchurch & Tuckton
Southbourne & Boscombe Parks
- Fisherman’s Walk, a scenic walk from Overcliff Drive to The Grove - not so much a park, but a wide wooded pathway, with pond and bandstand
- Shelley Park, off Overcliff Drive & Chessel Avenue, BH5 1JB: playground, woodland and PAYG tennis courts book on line
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/TennisInTheParkBournemouth/BookaCourt) - King’s Park, Boscombe - with playground (links to Littledown Park)
Activities
Under 12s
Cycling
Eating & Drinking
Transport
Shopping
A&E & Chemists
