Grey skies are no reason to stay in. Bournemouth wears a rainy day well, with enough under cover to fill the hours from a lazy breakfast to a cosy dinner all within a short walk of the seafront.
Morning: under the sea
Start at the Oceanarium, the aquarium right on the seafront. Its themed zones take you from Poole Bay to the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon, and it is comfortably indoors from the first drop of rain. Allow a couple of unhurried hours.
Afternoon: art and history
Head up to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, a lavish clifftop villa packed with paintings and curiosities. Its rich interiors and sea views make it a wonderful place to shelter and slow down.
Late afternoon: tea and shelter
Warm up with an afternoon tea in town, then browse the shops and arcades that keep you out of the wet. It is an easy way to let a shower pass while treating yourself.
Evening: a cosy pub
Round off with a hearty dinner at a snug local like The Goat & Tricycle, where a good ale and a warm corner are the perfect antidote to a soggy day by the coast.
