Bournemouth Natural Science Society & Museum

A small, quirky museum run by a volunteer society in a listed Victorian house in central Bournemouth. The rooms cover natural history, geology, Egyptology, archaeology and microscopy, with fossils, minerals, birds, mammals, shells, insects, moths and butterflies on show, and sometimes a chance to handle live insects, spiders and snakes. Children who enjoy animals, rocks and bugs tend to get the most from it. The society runs Young Explorers meetings for children aged 7 to 12. The garden has a lawn, benches and two wildlife ponds and suits a picnic, though children must be supervised by an adult at all times there. The museum opens only on certain days, so families should check before travelling, and the historic building has steps, so anyone with a pushchair or limited mobility should ask about access in advance.