Boscombe became a popular, fashionable, alternative destination to central Bournemouth in Victorian times. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline.

Best features: A very popular family beach with pleasant walks through the recently refurbished Boscombe Gardens, featuring a mini golf course and sports complex; Children’s play area and café. Boscombe surf reef is currently being constructed and should be ready in October. The recently replenished beach is now bigger than it has been for many years. To find out more about Boscombe Surf Reef visit any one of our beach office.

Local facilities and shops: A walk, or a bus ride, takes you to central Boscombe. Beach huts are available to hire by the day, or pre-book for a week, call 0845 055 0968.

Great for the kids? Boscombe operates the LV= KidZone scheme with our dedicated KidZone staff help to find lost children.

Where is it? Just east of Bournemouth, well signposted from the A338 and A35 routes into town.

How far are the loos? There are three sites offering men’s women’s and disabled WCs, plus baby change facilities.

Parking: There are 572 spaces on the seafront between Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth. More pay-and-display parking is at The Marina.

Public transport: Yellow Buses’ number 27 links the pier with Boscombe bus station, Winton and Kinson. The number 12 summer open-topped coastal service goes to Christchurch, Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth, the Chines and Sandbanks. A land train runs along the prom from Bournemouth to Boscombe and through into Boscombe gardens every twenty minutes in the height of the summer.

How about pets? Dogs are not permitted on the main beach, but exercise areas are provided east of Fisherman’s Walk. During the peak season, dogs on the prom must be kept on a lead.

Wet weather options:

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum A fine Victorian building. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am-5pm. 01202 451858.

Wacky Warehouse Soft play area at the Waterfront Complex on Pier Approach, Bournemouth A great place to take the kids when it’s raining. They can burn off excess energy in the with ball pools and on the climbing frames.