One of a number of pine clad 'chines' (valleys cut in the cliffs) in the area. This one has had a…read moremillion pound tart up, and boasts a children's play area with water, nature trail, flower beds, bandstand, basketball court, cafe, crazy golf, loos, and is served by a noddy train.

I love the Bourrnmouth Gardens on a nice sunny day grab a deckchair by the bandstand and listen to…read morethe live instrumnetall band playing whilst tucking into a Ice cream. They also have artists selling their paintings near by and also a big aviary where there is also refreshments available so you can sit down and relax. Also look out for the squirels as they are very friendly and will pop up and say hello to you whislt you are sitting on one of the benches, so watch your food.. Crazy golf also available in the gardens. Also sponsered by Bournemouth football club is the big air balloon ride that takes you up on the spot so you can see all the scenery of Bournemouth.

Bourenmouth Garden is a vibrant place with lots of activities going on particularly in the summer…read moretime. Firework dsiplay is one of many activities that should not be missed in the summer weekends. Tennis playing in a beautiful leavy environment is a wonderful experience. The whole area is properly maintained with lots of beautiful decidous shrubs and tress full of colourful blossom throughout spring and autumn. Those who enjoy painting and sketching pictureque garden scenes would not miss this place too. Recently parking charges have been introduced and that has really spoiled the principles of freedom for the less advantageous people when they want to bring their children out to this place especially when many people have lost their jobs and incomes. It is a shame to charge people when they really need a free and healthy family leisure time with their kids.

The Council used the profit from selling a car park for development as seafront flats, to build an…read moreartificial surf reef, designed by New Zealand firm ASL. It's attracted loads of publicity, but doesn't yet work terribly well (waves no better than on the shore, and the break doesn't peel smoothly). Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0PslWKkbf4&playnext_from=TL&videos=PiQX-K-rVKM

(Don't come for me) I don't like it here. Let me explain.. I dont agree with the tanks, shows ect…read more Its animal cruelty MAKING them preform shows for YOU'RE entertainment, i'm sorry but its disgusting!! animals have feelings too you know!! Ok I'm done

The main thing that attracted me to the Oceanarium was their latest attracted called the Virtual…read moreShark Cage but found out after I paid for tickets that it was not working, how dissapointing but we still enjoyed our trip out. The aquarium is a lot smaller than most other ones but they do have two large sea turtles and a few stingrays in their main tank. The size of the sharks in the main tank was a bit dissapointing but it did not spoil the whole experience. They did have another tank with a few mixtures of sharks which was quite interesting. I like the fact that they had a few other animals, not just animals you find in the sea to spice up the attraction. There was an interactive video unit that allows you to record yourself pledging not to do a few things to help save the environment.

Seems like a place best suited for kids. There's a large Farris wheel and an arcade and restaurants…read morethat are not great but serve food. There's the oceanarium and right now a pop up about the historic Air Force. There just isn't a ton for adults to enjoy unless you venture further away from the pier and into Bournemouth.

The original pier was built for £12,000 in 10 months, opening in July 1889. 600 feet long, it could…read moretake steamers, and had a bandstand. In 1904 it was taken into Council hands. The Council built a new pierhead building, and removed the bandstand to a local park. In 1940, during WW2, the pier was stripped, and three spans were blown up to prevent use for enemy landings. After a long battle with the Government for compensation, the Council refurbished the pier between 1958 and 1962, with a new pierhead building, and the Mermaid hall and cafe on the end - both designed by the Council architect, John Burton. The end was closed on safety grounds in 1990, and the rest closed in 2005 for similar reasons. Using the proceeds of the sale of a nearby car park to Barratts for housebuilding, the Council refurbished - and shortened - the pier as part of a multi million pound regeneration of Boscombe seafront. It reopened in 2008, and was declared 'Pier of the year' in 2010. At the pierhead, there is a cafe, and a shop selling cigarettes, newspapers and - as the sign quaintly says - "beach requisites". Art is displayed and sold on the pier on Sundays. Permits are available for fishermen. Events are held regularly (brass bands, carol singing, etc). There is a 'Friends of the pier' organisation (see website). Admission free. (Thanks to Andrew Emery's 'History of Bournemouth Seafront' for the historical details)