Pokesdown and Boscombe
Pokesdown and Boscombe are great neighbourhoods full of character and charm.
Bag a bargain at one of the many vintage and antique shops, peruse the healthy and vibrant food markets, or attend live music, gigs and theatre at some of the best kept secret venues.
A vibrant community spirit
Pokesdown and Boscombe are known for their vibrant community spirit, centred around the busy high street which hosts regular markets. Expand your culinary tastes and try out new foods, from local fresh produce to international cuisine, there’s always plenty on offer – and who knows, you may find a taste of home right here in Bournemouth.
Pokesdown has its own railway station, which is a handy short walk to and from Campus. Decent travel times and regular trains mean it is easy to head into the centre of Bournemouth, or further afield to popular places such as the New Forest, Southampton, Winchester, Reading and London.
When it comes to retail therapy, you can bet you will find unique and extraordinary gifts, and treats for yourself with independent boutiques alongside the bigger retail outlets. Boscombe is home to the beautiful Victorian Royal Arcade, a stark contrast to the modern Sovereign Shopping Centre, which means you can go from bric-a-brac and vintage collectables to high street labels and luxury goods in no time at all. It’s certainly a shopping experience!
Boscombe Pier is a fantastic spot to hang out with friends to people-watch, or catch some waves. With a Harvester right next door offering quick bites and refreshing tipples, and the fashionable Urban Reef, a seafront restaurant where romantic views and seasonal menus are always on the cards, this is a perfect area to head to when the sun is shining.
Active and entertained
There’s plenty to keep you active with volleyball courts, rock-climbing and surfing/body-boarding… but, if that’s not your style you can always hit the beach, kick back and grab twenty with your favourite book.
Embrace the fantastic green spaces, and check out Boscombe Chine Gardens. Home to basketball courts, a cafe and mini golf, this park also has a beautiful array of flowers to inspire those green-fingered among you. The gardens will lead you on an easy walk down to the beach front, where you can make use of the ping-pong tables or grab an ice-cream on the promenade. It’s also the spot where you can hitch a ride on the land train.
In the evening, why not try a night out at Chaplins, the award-winning music venue and bar, or hit the O2 Academy to see your favourite music artists and bands. The Shelley Theatre is another hidden gem, showing a variety of performances and movies, and offering an intimate space where you get that authentic nostalgic feeling.
Pokesdown and Boscombe are also home to AFC Bournemouth Vitality Stadium and Bournemouth Athletics Club both of which are a 15 minute walk away from our Parkwood Road campus.
Discover more
Discover more about Dorset and some of the amazing locations right on HSU’s door step.
News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at Health Sciences University.
Nils Theuninck is a third-year Master of Chiropractic student at Health Sciences University with an impressive background in elite sailing. He has competed internationally as part of the Swiss National Sailing Team and has earned several podium finishes at major events. Most recently, Nils sailed with Alinghi Red Bull Racing in their challenge for the 37th America’s Cup. His dedication to both sport and chiropractic has been recognised with a 2025 International Sports Chiropractic Federation (FICS) Student Scholarship. We spoke to him about his sailing journey, how this influenced his decision to study chiropractic, and his goals for the future.
The National Student Survey (NSS) is now open and will close on 30 April 2026. If you’re a final‑year undergraduate, this is your chance to tell us about your experience of studying at HSU.
Our campuses in Bournemouth and London will be closed from 6pm Wednesday 24th December 2025, and will re-open at on Monday 5th January 2026.
An innovation developed through HSU’s Centre for Osteopathic Research and Leadership (CORaL) has been selected by the World Health Organization as one of just 21 projects worldwide to feature at the WHO Global Summit.
Advance HE has published a new report that explores the merger which brought together AECC University College in Bournemouth and the University College of Osteopathy in London to create Health Sciences University (HSU).
This month, Claire Nadaf, Head of Engagement and Partnerships, and Sarah Herbert, Chief Nursing Officer at University Hospitals Dorset and Visiting Professor at HSU, embarked on a nursing delegation to China.
