The Lower Gardens are the heart of Bournemouth's seafront, a narrow strip of grass, ponds, and ornamental planting following the little River Bourne up from the pier to the town centre. They were laid out by Decimus Burton in 1873 -- one of the earliest English seaside pleasure gardens -- and survive in something close to their original form.
The classical bandstand still hosts free concerts on summer Sunday afternoons. The mini-golf course at the seaward end is older than most British putting greens; the herbaceous borders are kept up by Bournemouth Council's award-winning gardeners. A walk from the pier to the Square is the easiest introduction to the town.