Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum with lunch at the award-winning West Beach Restaurant, Bournemouth
Friday 10 October 2025

The next gathering of Wessex Old Warwickians (and anyone else who would like to join them) is in Bournemouth (where it's always sunny, even when it rains!) on Friday 10 October 2025.

Enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful and wonderful home and collections of the Merton family at the Russell Cotes, followed by lunch at the West Beach restaurant on the seafront; a short stroll from the Russell Cotes and situated on the prom, just to the right of Bournemouth pier. West Beach has received many awards, including 2 Rosettes, and has been several times selected as the best fish restaurant in England (they also cook more than their local fish speciality!).

10:00-11:00 Meet in the café at the Russell Cotes. The entrance fee for our guided tour is £13:50 per person, payable on the day. This includes guides for the collections.

11:00 Enjoy a guided tour through the house and collections, with insights and details on selected items including the beautiful Rossetti canvas.

12:00–13:00 Free time, to view at leisure, purchase items from the shop. The walk to the restaurant is a gentle downward stroll; under 10 minutes; past the Bournemouth Pier; along the prom to the restaurant. Some may like to promenade on the pier; visit the Oceanarium; both are passed on the 10-minute walk to lunch. Others may like to build up an appetite with a pre–lunch swim! Or simply relax (probably a preferred option) with a pre–lunch aperitif at the West Beach Restaurant.

13:00 Lunch at West Beach. Menus are currently being prepared and are likely to be in the region of a two or three-course lunch followed by coffee/tea will be approx £35. Drinks to be bought and paid for on the day.

Booking
If you would like to come, please book now and we will email menu options for you to choose. No payment required until on-the-day. 

Booking deadline
Tuesday 30 September (but earlier would be helpful!)

Car Parking
Parking is available off Westover Road (Pavilion) and Bath Road South. Both are very close to the Royal Bath Hotel, near to the seafront and only a 5-minute gentle walk (slight incline) to the Russell Cotes. Upon parking, this will be found to your right; just behind the Royal Bath Hotel.

The closest public car park is Bath Road South, BH1 2EW (Height restriction 2.1m). It is recommended that wheelchair users and people with mobility issues use this car park to avoid the steepest sections on the East Cliff Promenade (ie. at top and bottom); please be aware there is still a gradient from the car park to the museum entrance. Bath Road South car park has seven disabled parking spaces, four of these spaces are in the top left corner of the car park. Where possible, it is recommended to use these parking spaces as they are closer to the museum. From here you can access East Cliff Promenade overlooking the sea, turn left and walk up the slope for two minutes until you reach the Russell Cotes entrance through their garden.

Buses
Here’s a link to bus information and a route planner by Morebus, which run from the Travel Interchange every three to four minutes. The journey takes about five minutes.

Accessibility
Russell Cotes is committed to making the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum as accessible as they can for everyone. The galleries and most of the historic house has lift access, with the exception of the upper ground floor of East Cliff Hall. As the Russell-Cotes is a Grade II* Listed building, interior alterations are subject to planning restrictions. There is a video of the upstairs rooms for visitors who are unable to access this part of the historic house. Further information on Accessibility - Russell-Cotes | Russell-Cotes (russellcotes.com).