Visiting Westover Road: Bournemouth’s shops, beauty spots, bars and more

There is a lovely change of pace when you turn onto Westover Road. The gardens run alongside it, the sea is close by, and its canopied pavement invites you to slow down and look in the windows. Come for a particular shop and you can easily stay for coffee, a beauty appointment, dinner or a show.

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Browse the shops

Richmond Classics brings designer fashion, footwear and accessories to the street, while the recently opened Ivory Avenue adds an interiors shop to explore. For menswear, there is plenty of choice: long-established Bournemouth retailer Robert Old specialises in tailoring and designer collections, Alfa Menswear offers classic clothing, Fox Tailoring is based alongside Alfa, and Moss stocks suits and occasionwear.

Westover Road is also a street for jewellery and art. Michael Matthews Jewellery sells fine jewellery and watches, while family-run Franses Jewellers specialises in fine diamond jewellery. Westover Gallery and Clarendon Fine Art invite you to spend time looking at the work on display, whether you are collecting art or simply enjoying a browse. You will also find Bournemouth Pawn, which buys and sells previously owned items, and Westover Express for everyday essentials. 

Book in some time for beauty

Westover Road has more to offer than shopping. Collective Beauty brings independent hair and beauty professionals together under one roof, with Fika providing a coffee stop at the same location. Further along, Westover Beauty Salonsis another place to book treatments, including nails, brows, facials and massage. The street works just as well for an appointment and a leisurely lunch as it does for an afternoon browsing the shops. 

Stop for coffee, food and drinks

For lunch, Côte Brasserie offers a relaxed place to sit near the gardens. The Stable pairs pizza with cider, beer and cocktails, and has a bar and terraces that make it an easy choice for drinks too. Brass Haus brings a lively pub atmosphere to the road, with food, drinks and live music.

If you want to keep the evening going, Bowl Central combines bowling and arcade games with a cocktail bar. Grosvenor Casino offers another option for drinks and dining. Or check what is on at Bournemouth Pavilion and make a performance the reason for your visit. 

Stay close to it all

Premier Inn Bournemouth Central is on Westover Road itself, putting guests close to the shops, Pavilion, gardens and seafront. If you are comparing nearby places to stay, The Royal Bath Hotel is on adjoining Bath Road.

Make time for the gardens

Cross the road and you can explore the open-airArt & Makers Marketin Westover Gardens, run by local creatives. From there, carry on towards the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum or follow the gardens down for a walk by the sea. It is this mix of shopping, culture and coastline that makes Westover Road so easy to turn into a full day out.

Where to park for Westover Road

For a short visit, there is on-street parking on Westover Road, subject to a short-stay limit. If you plan to shop, eat or see a show, Pavilion car park is a convenient longer-stay choice. Bath Road North and Bath Road South are also close to the Pavilion end of the road. 

For a longer visit, it is worth comparing the current charges at Central car park before you set off. Parking prices and restrictions vary between the street bays and car parks, so check the council pages or signs when you arrive. 

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