Created in the nineteenth century, the gardens follow the towns eponymous River Bourne three kilometres from the historic boundary with Poole south-eastwards into Bournemouth Town Centre.

The Gardens are home to a number of significant Bournemouth landmarks and listed buildings such as; the Town Hall, the War Memorial, St. Andrew's Church and the Pavilion Theatre.

The gardens were planted between 1836 and 1840, with designs made by architects Benjamin Ferrey and Decimus Burton.

The Upper Gardens hold many unusual tree species including a North American Giant Redwood (believed to be the largest in Britain).

[11] The Gardens have an annual Winter Wonderland attraction at Christmas time.