Bournemouth Pier Named One of Britain’s Best

Few sights say Bournemouth quite like its famous pier stretching out across the sea...

Now one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks has received national recognition, with Bournemouth Pier included in a new selection of 10 of Britain’s best piers.

Published recently by The Guardian, the list celebrates seaside piers across the country for everything from food and nightlife, to history and traditional seaside entertainment. Bournemouth was singled out as the best pier for adventure. 

Bournemouth Pier has been part of the town's story for considerably longer than many of the attractions visitors associate with it today.

The first wooden jetty opened in 1856, with the pier subsequently rebuilt and developed over generations. Its place within British seaside culture remains recognisable today. Countryfile previously included Bournemouth among its best piers to visit in the UK, praising its classic appearance and sense of seaside nostalgia.

But Bournemouth Pier has also evolved. The Guardian's latest recognition focuses particularly on the modern experiences that have transformed it into an adventure destination, with the large variety of activities to entertain the whole family from volleyball on the sand, to ziplining across the sea. 

While many of Britain’s piers are celebrated for their history and traditional seaside charm, Bournemouth has added something altogether more adventurous.

At the end of the pier sits RockReef, an all weather attraction featuring 28 Clip ’n Climb challenges, alongside the HighLine aerial obstacle course, Vertical Slide and a 65 metre indoor Pier Cave.

But the headline attraction takes the adventure outside. The PierZip is the world’s first pier to shore zip wire, sending riders along a 250 metre dual line from the end of the pier, over the waves and back onto Bournemouth Beach. With two lines running alongside each other, visitors can even race friends or family towards the shore.

It’s this combination that makes Bournemouth Pier unusual. You can still enjoy the traditional walk out to sea and panoramic coastline views, but you can also climb, explore and quite literally fly back to the beach.

Bournemouth Pier is more than a landmark. Sitting at the centre of one of the town’s busiest stretches of coastline, it remains a focal point for experiencing Bournemouth and an important part of the town’s identity.

During summer, the surrounding seafront comes alive with events including Bournemouth’s Friday night fireworks, while Pier Approach connects visitors with the beach, Lower Gardens and town centre. Restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels and attractions are all within walking distance, meaning a visit to the pier rarely ends at the water’s edge.

That relationship matters to Bournemouth’s wider visitor economy. Research from Bournemouth University highlights the role British piers play in tourism, employment, community pride, heritage and resort identity, with piers often acting as flagship attractions capable of drawing footfall into the wider seaside destination.

Bournemouth Pier is continuing to evolve too. Entry is now permanently free following a successful trial that resulted in increased footfall, while significant investment is helping protect the structure for future generations.

More than 170 years after Bournemouth’s first wooden jetty opened, the pier remains one of the defining sights of the town.

But its latest recognition shows that its appeal is about more than nostalgia. From traditional seaside views and summer events to climbing challenges and flying back to shore on the PierZip, Bournemouth Pier has continued to evolve alongside the destination surrounding it.

Being named among Britain’s best is another welcome reminder of what sits right on our doorstep, and of the role the pier continues to play in bringing visitors, activity and attention to Bournemouth’s coastline.

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Last Updated: August 2026