Bournemouth Pier has anchored the seafront since 1880, stretching into Poole Bay from the bottom of the Lower Gardens. It costs nothing to walk to the end, and the reward is the best view in town: back over the golden curve of the beach and west along the coast to the cliffs of the Isle of Purbeck.
The pier's history
A modest wooden jetty stood here first; the graceful iron pier where Victorians strolled opened in 1880. As with so many English piers, it has been rebuilt, extended and brought up to date across the generations, surviving storms and wartime alterations on the way. It now pairs that seaside heritage with modern attractions, but its original purpose has not changed: it draws people out over the water for the plain pleasure of the sea air.
What to see and do
As well as the traditional promenade, the pier head holds RockReef, an indoor climbing and high-ropes adventure centre, and PierZip, described as the world's first pier-to-shore zip line. Riders set off from a tower at the far end and glide back over the sea to touch down on the sand, which is quite a way to reach the beach. Along the deck there are amusements, a café and plenty of benches from which to watch the waves come in. It is a fine place for photographs, for fishing off the side or for waiting on the sunset.
Planning a visit
The pier sits at the very centre of the seafront, a short downhill walk from town through the Lower Gardens. There is no charge to walk the deck, which is step-free from end to end, and toilets and refreshments are close at hand. RockReef and PierZip are ticketed attractions whose hours change with the season, so check before you go; turning up on the day is normally fine, but booking makes sense during the school holidays. For more of the coast, see our guide to things to do in Bournemouth.
Close by
A day on Bournemouth Beach, with its miles of sand running away in each direction, naturally begins at the pier. Immediately behind it the Lower Gardens climb towards the town centre, and the Oceanarium stands right by the pier approach, a simple addition for families. Head east along the promenade and in time you come to the neighbouring Boscombe Pier.
