Accessibility

Performances take place in the Town Square, in Bournemouth Lower Gardens, Pier Approach, Beale Place and the Beach.

• There is level access from the Town Square into Bournemouth Lower Gardens.
• There is level access from Lower Gardens into Pier Approach.
• There is level access from the Seafront

The festival locations of Town Square, Lower Gardens and Pier Approach are all on the level. The Town Square is the easiest place to access these locations. Access from other points (e.g. Westover Road) may involve some slopes or stairs. Beale Place has a slight incline. The easiest way to access the Pavilion Terraces is from the beach via the Upside-Down House or there is lift access from Westover Road and the Pavilion. East Cliff Zig Zag can be accessed along the promenade.

There is level access to performances taking place in Bournemouth Gardens from The Square. The Seafront can be accessed through the Lower Gardens (via Pier Approach). 

The festival locations of Town Square, Lower and Central Gardens and Seafront are all on the level. The Town Square is the easiest place to access these locations. Access from other points (e.g. Westover Road) may involve some slopes. The Town Hall has a medium gradient slope to access the Accessible Viewing Area.

The performance areas are zoned and numbered. There are large numbered flags in each zone area. Quiet Space and Accessible Viewing Area are signposted by flags and shown on the festival map. The Information Point is located in the Lower Gardens and signposted by a flag.

You can find the lift on the right-hand side of the Pavilion as you face the front of the building on Westover Road. It gives access from the Pavilion to the Pavilion Terrace overlooking the Gardens. Access to the Lower Gardens and beach from Pavilion Terrace is past Pavilion Dance South West, down a slope and under the flyover to Pier Approach. The lift is wide enough for one full size wheelchair but may not be wide enough for a large electric wheelchair or mobility scooter. The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.

There is a cafe on Pavilion Terrace which is only accessible via a slope near the flyover. The café has outside seating and staff will clear an accessible route if there is any obstruction. For more information on using the lift and accessible routes around the Pavilion, please visit their website or contact the venue.

Public toilets
Lower Gardens has a permanent Changing Places toilet in the public toilet block.

The festival also provides a Changing Places toilet in the lower gardens staffed between midday and 6.00pm Saturday and Sunday

There are also accessible toilets around the festival site:

• Bournemouth Central East Promenade, next to Harry Ramsden’s
• Pier Entrance
• Richmond Gardens, Floor 1 multi-storey car park
• Bournemouth Library in The Triangle

Arts by the Sea Festival can be a busy environment, but there are some spaces that are quieter. The festival offers a designated Quiet Space located in Pavilion Dance.

Friday is our low noise evening, where there will be no noisy performances except on the bandstand. Sound-cancelling ear defenders are available at the Information Point in the Lower Gardens.

Assistance Dogs (and all dogs) are welcome in all areas of the festival site (outside the Town Hall, in Central Gardens, Middle Gardens, Lower Gardens, Town Square and Pier Approach). Between 1 May and 30 September, dogs are not allowed on most of the beach and must be kept on a lead on the promenades and paths.

We remind all doggie parents to make sure that you have everything you need to pick up after your pets.

For exact beach locations where dogs are permitted visit the BCP Council website. Click Here