The Pavilion Bournemouth is a Grade II listed Art Deco venue on Westover Road, with a main theatre and a traditional ballroom. Its programme spans touring musicals, comedy, ballet and more, making it a useful stop for a show during a Bournemouth visit.
- Location: Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU
- Venue spaces: Main theatre and traditional ballroom
- Tickets: Book online or by phone; e-tickets and mobile tickets are recommended
Shows and venue spaces
The Pavilion’s main theatre and ballroom host a varied programme, from touring productions to recurring community events.
The building was completed in 1929 and received Grade II designation in 1995. Inside, the theatre is home to a Compton Organ, one of the few remaining instruments from the 550 installed in churches, cinemas, theatres and concert halls between 1926 and 1939. Organ shows are held throughout the year.
The theatre programme includes pantomimes, comedy, ballet, opera, classical music and community theatre, alongside touring musicals. The ballroom hosts regular events, exhibitions, recitals and tea dances. Check the venue’s programme for current performances and event details.
Tickets and visitor information
You can book tickets online or call 0300 500 0595; calls are charged at the standard-rate call rate. The venue recommends buying an e-ticket or mobile ticket in advance. Show it on your phone or bring a printout for checking on arrival.
The venue is cashless. Major debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and BH Live Gift Vouchers are accepted; American Express is not accepted. Cafés and selected bars serve refreshments and snacks.
Allow for entry checks: visitors are subject to a search, and bag checks may operate. Large bags are discouraged, and there is no cloakroom. Doors usually open around 30 minutes before a show starts. Running times are approximate and are usually confirmed only a few days before the performance.
The Access Scheme is available to eligible customers with PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, a Certificate of Visual Impairment or an Access Card; complimentary Personal Assistant tickets may be available. The stalls have eight accessible spaces, each measuring 1 metre by 1 metre and sold as potentially restricted-view. There is no lift access to the circle because of building restrictions.
Step-free access from the car park reaches the front entrance by ramp and automatic door. The stalls have sloped access with no steps, and step-free bar areas with seating are reached by sloped corridors. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome; contact the venue in advance so staff can advise on suitable locations.
How do you walk to The Pavilion?
The Pavilion is about a 16-minute walk from a Bournemouth hotel for a Pavilion visit. Its Westover Road address places the venue in central Bournemouth, making a walk to a performance a practical option.
Bournemouth Railway Station is 1.0 mile from the venue, approximately a 22-minute walk. If you are planning a day around the centre, you can link the theatre visit with a walk through Bournemouth town centre.
Parking and public transport
The Pavilion car park has 185 spaces, including eight accessible bays. Payment is by cashless machine or the RingGo app, and the entrance has no height barrier.
Bath Road North has 116 spaces and Bath Road South has 163 spaces; both are about a three-minute walk from The Pavilion. The Bournemouth International Centre multi-storey car park has 644 spaces and is about an eight-minute walk away.
Westover Road bus stop is about a one-minute walk from The Pavilion and serves Morebus routes M1, M2, 13, 17, 32, 33 and Unibus U4. Royal Bath Hotel stop is about a three-minute walk away, with routes 1a, 1b, 1c, 5, 5a, 6, 6a, 12 and 22.
Bike racks sit beside the left pedestrian sidewalk on Westover Road. Beryl bike and scooter bays are about a one-minute walk away on Westover Road or about a five-minute walk away on Bournemouth Lower Gardens.
Coach groups can be dropped off and picked up outside the venue; the nearest coach park is Queens Road Car and Coach Park, BH2 6BE. A no-parking zone at the front can also be used for event drop-off, but may be busy at the end of performances.
Making a theatre visit part of a Bournemouth stay
The Pavilion’s central setting makes it straightforward to pair a performance with another town-centre stop. The nearby Bournemouth International Centre also hosts events, and its guide to tickets, parking and getting there covers that venue.
For the Pavilion, check the official site before you go. Phone-line hours vary by week, and the in-person ticket office is open on show days only, with opening times subject to change. The box office generally opens around two hours before an event, but timings can vary.
FAQs
What is the address of The Pavilion Bournemouth?
The venue is at Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU.
What is The Pavilion Bournemouth’s heritage status?
It is a Grade II Art Deco building, completed in 1929 and given that designation in 1995.
Can you bring an assistance dog?
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome. Contact the venue in advance for advice on suitable locations.