Discover seven art galleries, museums and sculpture spaces across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch this autumn. From contemporary paintings at Westover Gallery and independent art at Courtenay’s Fine Art to the historic Russell-Cotes Museum and waterfront sculptures on Poole Quay, there’s plenty to explore. Our Dorset art trail also includes exhibitions at Lighthouse Poole and the Red House Museum, making it easy to plan a cultural afternoon filled with art, history and local discoveries.
12th October 2026
An autumn art outing doesn’t have to involve a long journey. Between Poole and Christchurch, independent galleries, museum collections and outdoor sculpture offer plenty of reasons to spend an afternoon exploring closer to home.
Whether you’re browsing for a painting, discovering local photography or enjoying art beside the harbour, these seven stops pair beautifully with coffee, lunch or a seasonal walk.
Tucked inside Westbourne Arcade, Courtenay’s Fine Art is a lovely starting point for an afternoon exploring the village’s independent shops. The gallery stocks original paintings and limited edition prints by a broad range of artists, offering plenty to browse whether you’re choosing something for your home or simply enjoying a look around.
Courtenay’s also offers framing and an interior décor advisory service, useful if you’ve found a piece you love but need help deciding how to display it. Make time for coffee or lunch nearby and a wander through the rest of the arcade.
Find it: 11 Westbourne Arcade, Bournemouth, BH4 9AY.
Lighthouse deserves a place on your list for its exhibitions as well as its performances. Its gallery spaces host a changing visual arts programme, providing opportunities for professional and community artists to share their work.
This October, The Past is Present brings together visual art, film, writing and textiles to explore heritage, memory and identity. Created with Development Education in Dorset and curated by artist Sharon James, the exhibition runs from 6 to 31 October 2026, with free entry. A free exhibition and book launch celebration takes place on Saturday 10 October, noon to 4pm.
Visit during an afternoon in Poole, or combine a browse with an evening performance for a day with culture at its centre.
Find it: 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG.
For an outdoor stop, head to Poole Quay and spend a little time with Sea Music, the public sculpture created by Sir Anthony Caro. Standing here since 1991, its sweeping metal forms reflect the waves, sails and maritime character of the harbour.
It’s easy to walk past a familiar landmark without really looking at it. Approach from different angles and notice how the shapes interact with the boats and water beyond. The setting gives this sculpture an appeal that changes with the weather and light.
Follow your visit with a quayside coffee or continue into Poole’s Old Town for a relaxed afternoon of art and local history.
Find it: The Quay, Poole, BH15 1HJ.
Overlooking the sea on Bournemouth’s East Cliff, the Russell-Cotes combines British art with the pleasures of exploring an extraordinary historic home. Completed in 1901, the house was a birthday gift from Merton Russell-Cotes to his wife Annie, and the couple filled it with paintings and objects collected during their travels.
The richly decorated rooms are as much a part of the experience as the artworks. Give yourself time to notice the interiors, explore the galleries and enjoy the sense of stepping into a home shaped by its owners’ interests.
It’s an appealing choice for a blustery autumn afternoon, with the café providing a welcome pause before a short seafront stroll.
Find it: East Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth. The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, 10am to 5pm. Admission charges apply.
A short walk from the Russell-Cotes, Westover Gallery offers a contemporary art stop on one of Bournemouth’s best-known streets. Its selection includes paintings, prints and sculpture, with artists including JJ Adams, Richard Rowan and bronze sculptor Tim Cotterill, known as the Frogman.
Browse colourful paintings, distinctive characters and sculptural pieces that could become a talking point at home. Visiting both Bournemouth galleries makes for an enjoyable afternoon, moving from a historic collection to contemporary work available to buy.
Find it: 4 Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BY. Published opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm.
Close to Christchurch Priory, Hatch Gallery specialises in contemporary British art, sculpture, ceramics and handcrafted jewellery. A coastal thread runs through its selection, with boats, beach huts and seascapes among the subjects represented.
Alongside established artists, Hatch supports emerging talent through its upstairs Hatchling Gallery, giving visitors the chance to discover someone new.
Combine your visit with a wander around the Priory or a walk towards the quay. With lunch in town afterwards, it’s an easy way to build an autumn afternoon around art.
Find it: 7A Church Street, Christchurch, BH23 1BW. Published opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm.
For a photographic addition to the trail, the Red House Museum offers a chance to see familiar surroundings through different eyes. Christchurch Through the Lens runs from 24 October to 6 December 2026, with free admission.
Created by museum volunteers following research into its photographic archives, the exhibition centres on aerial photographs by local historian and former RAF photographer Allen White. It explores the changing face of Christchurch through images, places and personal memories.
The museum occupies a former Georgian workhouse and has gardens and a café, giving you more to explore after the exhibition. Pair it with nearby Hatch Gallery for an afternoon bringing together contemporary art and Christchurch’s photographic past.
Find it: Red House Museum and Gardens, Christchurch
Spanish
Chinese (simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Norwegian
Polish
Romanian
Russian
