Looking for things to do in Bournemouth as a university student? There is much more to student life here than nights out and afternoons on the beach. From surfing and escape rooms to island trips, forest adventures and slightly random days out at Monkey World, these are some of the experiences worth adding to your Bournemouth University bucket list.
6th September 2026
Moving to Bournemouth for university means having something that many student towns simply cannot offer: the beach on your doorstep, the New Forest nearby and plenty of unusual days out within easy reach.
Of course, nights out will probably feature quite heavily in student life, but some of the best memories often come from the days when someone asks, “What shall we actually do today?” and the answer ends up being something completely unexpected.
Here are a few ideas worth trying before you graduate.
It is the obvious one, but once you live here, it becomes surprisingly easy to take the beach for granted.
Grab some food, take a speaker and spend an afternoon on the sand. When the weather is cooler, swap sunbathing for a long beach walk and coffee.
Don't always stop directly around Bournemouth Pier either. Walk towards Boscombe, Southbourne or Branksome and find your own favourite part of the coastline.
Images: Unsplash
You are living by the sea, so you might as well try surfing at least once.
There are surf schools around Bournemouth and Boscombe offering lessons and equipment hire, meaning you do not need to own a board or wetsuit.
Even if nobody in your group is remotely good at it, that is probably part of the appeal. It is one of those experiences that feels very specific to studying in Bournemouth.
Images: Unsplash
For a cheaper day out, head east along the coast towards Hengistbury Head.
The landscape quickly changes from busy beachfront to open heathland, harbour views and quieter walking routes.
If you have more time, continue towards Mudeford Sandbank, where you can see the colourful beach huts and look across Christchurch Harbour. Pack lunch and it can easily turn into a full afternoon without costing much at all.
Images: Unsplash
When Bournemouth's weather stops cooperating, an escape room is a good alternative to another evening in the pub.
There are several escape room venues around Bournemouth, making this an easy group activity for birthdays, society socials or simply a rainy Saturday.
It also gives you the opportunity to discover which of your housemates remains calm under pressure and which one immediately starts shouting at everyone.
Images: Unsplash
Even if you are not a huge football fan, seeing AFC Bournemouth play while you live in the town is worth adding to the list.
The atmosphere around a home match gives you a different side of Bournemouth from the student areas, and the club's Vitality Stadium is close to King's Park in Boscombe.
It is one of those things that can help Bournemouth start to feel like somewhere you actually live rather than simply the place your university happens to be.
This is where the list becomes slightly more random.
Near Wareham, around 20 miles from Bournemouth, Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre is home to rescued and rehabilitated primates.
It is exactly the sort of university day trip that nobody necessarily plans before arriving, but going to see monkeys with a car full of housemates somehow feels like precisely the kind of thing a student bucket list should include.
Catch a boat from Poole Harbour and spend the day exploring Brownsea Island.
The National Trust island has woodland, walking routes and wildlife, including its famous red squirrels.
Pack some food and it can feel like a mini holiday despite being remarkably close to Bournemouth. It is particularly good once the weather improves and everyone starts looking for alternatives to another afternoon on Bournemouth Beach.
One of the biggest advantages of studying in Bournemouth is having the New Forest nearby.
Take the train towards Brockenhurst and you can swap lecture halls and student accommodation for forest walks, roaming ponies and village pubs.
It is a great low-key option after a busy week and something students in many other university cities simply do not have on their doorstep.
Images: Unsplash
Do not leave all of Bournemouth's tourist attractions to the tourists.
Head onto the pier, play the amusements or try RockReef, where there are indoor climbing and adventure activities.
If you want something slightly more memorable, the PierZip lets you zip from the pier towards the beach.
It is a little ridiculous, which is exactly why it deserves a place on a university bucket list.
The best way to make the most of Bournemouth is probably to create your own list with your housemates.
Add the obvious things - a beach barbecue, watching the sunrise, surfing and a night at The Old Fire Station - but include a few strange ones too.
Go and see monkeys. Catch a boat somewhere. Take a spontaneous train into the New Forest. Try paddleboarding. Visit a museum you would normally scroll straight past.
University goes incredibly quickly, and Bournemouth has beaches, countryside, wildlife attractions, nightlife and some wonderfully random days out nearby.
The best memories are unlikely to come entirely from travelling between your accommodation, lectures and the same three bars each week.
Images: Unsplash
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