Rainy Day Activities in Bournemouth

Things to Do With Kids at Bournemouth When it is Raining

Aug 15, 2009 Elaine Findlay

Renowned for its miles of award winning golden sands and mild climate, Bournemouth does get rain sometimes. Here are two attractions for families to visit on a wet day.

Situated on Russell Cotes Road in Bournemouth’s East Cliff area, the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is housed in East Cliff Hall which was built between 1897 and 1901 as a family home for Sir Merton Russell-Cotes (1835-1921) in a rather surprising but pleasing architectural mix of Scottish Baronial, Italian and Renaissance styles.

Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Collection

Sir Russell-Cotes and his wife were great travellers and every time they went on a trip abroad, they would come back with all sorts of artefacts and objets d’art which they then displayed in the many rooms of their home. In 1907, the wealthy couple donated the Hall and their vast collection to the people of Bournemouth.

Open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday but Bank Holiday Mondays only, entry to the museum and the majority of exhibitions staged there is free. However, visitors are encouraged to make a donation to help towards the running costs. Exhibitions change quite frequently and have included such diverse subjects as saucy Bamforth seaside postcards and drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton.

The Museum welcomes children and often runs special activities for younger family members during the school holidays. There is a café which includes a children’s menu. However, in order to preserve the exhibits and the building itself, visitors are required to stow buggies, strollers and other baby carrying equipment in the entrance lobby or the gardens.

The Oceanarium – Bournemouth’s Only Public Aquarium

Bournemouth’s Oceanarium is situated on Pier Approach just to the west of the entrance to the Pier and is open every day except Christmas Day. 2009 prices are not particularly cheap – it costs £8.75 for adults, £6.25 for children aged 3-15 years but under-threes go free. However, there are some family, group and online ticket discounts available.

This aquatic attraction is divided into ten sections – each of which provides a different watery environment for species of fish and other sea life from around the world. The sections are:

Africa – with its African Land Snails and Giraffe Catfish
Global Meltdown – a virtual exhibition about the effects of global warming and rising sea levels
Key West – representing part of the Florida Keys and housing Guitarfish
The Abyss – representing the deepest depths of our oceans
The Amazon – providing a home to Piranhas, Turtles etc.
The Ganges – providing a home for Snake-necked Turtles
The Great Barrier Reef – home to Cownose Stingrays and Atlantic Pork Fish
The Interactive Dive Cage – where visitors are submerged into a virtual ocean
The Marine Research Lab – with its shark nurseries and puffer fish
The Mediterranean – providing a home to Ballan Wrasse

Oceanarium Shop and Café

The Oceanarium is also home to the Offshore Café which serves light snacks and drinks during the day and more substantial restaurant type meals on summer evenings. The café can also be hired for private functions. The Cove Gift Shop sells a variety of merchandise from shell jewellery to books and soft toys.

The copyright of the article Rainy Day Activities in Bournemouth in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by Elaine Findlay. Permission to republish Rainy Day Activities in Bournemouth in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Oceanarium at Bournemouth