Westbourne occupies the leafy western side of Bournemouth, halfway between the town centre and the harbour town of Poole. It is a polished, village-like enclave that locals value for its independent shops, its slow café culture and the short route down to the quieter western beaches. For anyone staying longer than a weekend, it is also one of the parts of town that behaves most like a neighbourhood.
The feel of the place
The Victorian past is present without being heavy. Fine period villas on tree-lined roads give Westbourne a well-heeled residential calm, and the centre is small enough that everything sits within an easy walk. The atmosphere is smart but unhurried, the kind of place where a quick coffee turns into an afternoon in the boutiques. At its heart is Westbourne Arcade, a Grade II-listed Victorian shopping arcade in excellent condition, roofed with wrought iron and glass and home to independent jewellers, gift shops and small boutiques, a real alternative to the interchangeable high street.
Things to do
Westbourne is best explored on foot without a schedule. Look round the arcade and the independent shops along the streets around it, then head down through the gardens towards the sea. Alum Chine, one of the wooded valleys that run from Bournemouth down to the shore, drops from the village to a sheltered, family-friendly beach, and the walk from café tables to sand takes well under half an hour. The western beaches are markedly quieter than the busy sand by the pier, which suits a slower day at the sea. Our things to do guide has more ideas across the bay.
Eating, drinking and shopping
For a place its size, Westbourne eats and drinks remarkably well. Koh Thai Tapas does lively Thai sharing plates, and the independent Chines Coffee House is the spot for coffee and cake. Around them are delis, wine bars, brunch spots and neighbourhood bistros, plus the boutiques and gift shops that make browsing here so worthwhile. The delis in particular earn their keep if you are cooking in a rented kitchen. More places to eat across the area are in our food and drink guide.
Getting there
Just west of Bournemouth town centre, Westbourne can be reached by bus, by bike or on foot along the clifftops and through the seaward gardens, which is the scenic way. Parking is on-street and in car parks around the village, and both Poole and central Bournemouth are a short distance away. The quieter, upmarket streets make a good alternative base; our accommodation listings will help you find somewhere to stay nearby.
Nearby
Westbourne sits between central Bournemouth and the harbour town of Poole, with Alum Chine and the western beaches directly below it. To plan the rest of your stay, start with our wider explore guide to the towns and villages along this part of the Dorset coast.
