Tattoo Shops near Bournemouth
Looking for a tattoo shop near Bournemouth? Timebomb Tattoo & Piercing is on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth town centre. Clients come from Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and across Dorset. Timebomb has been tattooing since 2003, starting in Croydon. The Bournemouth studio offers custom tattoos, flash, walk-ins and professional body piercing, with resident and guest artists covering most styles.
This page covers everything you need before you visit: how to find the studio, which artists and styles are available, how custom work and walk-ins are handled, guide prices, hygiene standards, aftercare and how to book.
Find Timebomb Bournemouth
Address: 109 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1EP
Phone: 01202 900050
Email: info@timebombbournemouth.com
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm (walk-in piercing until 5:45pm). Closed Sunday.
- By train: a short walk from Bournemouth station into the town centre.
- By bus: many town-centre routes stop on or near Old Christchurch Road.
- By car: short-stay on-street parking nearby, with town-centre car parks for longer sessions.
See our Google reviews and get directions
Tattoos near Poole, Christchurch and the rest of Dorset
The studio is central, so it's an easy trip from Poole, Westbourne, Winton, Southbourne, Boscombe, Christchurch, Branksome, Sandbanks, Wimborne, Ferndown and Moordown. If you're comparing Poole studios, see our guide to tattoo studios in Poole.
Tattoo Styles and Artists in Bournemouth
A style name only helps if it leads you to the right artist. Start with the result you want, then look for artists whose portfolios show that kind of work consistently. Timebomb's mix of resident and guest artists covers a wide range, which matters most for big projects like sleeves, portraits and back pieces.
| Style | Best for | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional and Neo-Traditional | Bold symbols, animals, classic motifs | Small to large, clear outlines |
| Blackwork and Dotwork | Graphic, ornamental and geometric designs | Small to large, strong contrast |
| Fine Line and micro | Delicate symbols, botanicals, discreet pieces | Small, carefully limited detail |
| Black and Grey | Shading-led images and large compositions | Medium to large |
| Realism and Colour Realism | Portraits, animals, lifelike subjects | Medium to large |
| Japanese and New School | Sleeves, back pieces, expressive subjects | Usually medium to large |
A good question to ask at consultation is: "Which artist regularly does this kind of work?" The answer should point to real portfolio pieces. Browse the tattoo gallery or read our guide to tattoo styles before you go.
Meet the Bournemouth Artists
Tap a card to see each artist's latest work on Instagram.
@calbkrart
Dark art and black and grey
@raytattooartist
Black and grey and colour
@carmenjanczuk
Traditional and illustrative
How a Custom Tattoo Works, From Idea to Ink
1. Free consultation
Bring reference images and explain what you like about each one: the subject, the line quality, the contrast or the colour. Don't expect a copy of someone else's tattoo. The artist will ask about the subject, placement, size and which artist's style suits the idea.
2. Design and sizing
The artist turns your brief into original artwork. Size matters: detail that looks crisp on screen can blur when shrunk onto a wrist or ankle, and large pieces need structure so the elements work together. More in our custom tattoo design guide.
3. Stencil and appointment
You approve the stencil and its position before any tattooing starts. Work happens in private, curtained spaces with single-use needles and consumables.
Walk-Ins or Appointments?
- Walk-ins suit small, simple tattoos and flash when an artist has space. Availability changes through the day, so call ahead if you can.
- Appointments are best for sleeves, portraits, realism, back pieces and carefully placed fine-line work. Popular artists book up, so plan ahead.
See how to book a tattoo appointment for what to include in your enquiry.
Body Piercing in Bournemouth
The piercing team works to the same standards as the tattoo side:
- Walk-in piercings available. No appointment needed.
- Implant-grade, internally threaded titanium jewellery.
- Ear, facial, body and dermal piercings, with written aftercare.
More on our body piercing in Bournemouth page.
Guide Prices
Prices depend on size, detail, placement and the artist. Use these as a rough guide and confirm with the studio.
| Tattoos | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Flash or small piece | approx. £50–£100 |
| Medium piece | £150–£300 |
| Large or custom piece | £300–£600+ |
| Full-day session | £450–£650 |
| Piercings (jewellery included) | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Ear lobe | £15–£25 |
| Cartilage (helix, tragus, daith) | £30–£45 |
| Nose or septum | £35–£50 |
| Navel or nipple | £40–£60 |
For a full breakdown, read how much a small tattoo costs and our sleeve cost guide.
Hygiene, Registration and Safety
In Bournemouth, tattooing and piercing are regulated by the local council (BCP Council). There's no national salon licence. Both the practitioner and the premises must be registered before they can legally offer services, and local byelaws cover hygiene and the cleanliness of premises and equipment. Background: the UK Parliament briefing on skin piercing and tattooing and the government guidance on infection prevention and control.
How to compare any Bournemouth tattoo studio
Whichever shop you choose, ask the same questions:
- Registration: are the artist and the premises registered with the council?
- Single-use items: are needles and consumables sterile and used for one client only?
- Sterilisation: how is reusable equipment cleaned, and are clean and used items kept apart?
- Portfolio fit: does the artist have healed examples of the exact style you want?
- Jewellery: for piercings, is the jewellery implant-grade and sterile?
- Aftercare: do they explain healing, cleaning and warning signs clearly, in writing?
The CIEH tattooing and piercing toolkit sets out what good practice looks like.
Aftercare
Aftercare is part of the appointment. Wash your hands before touching a new tattoo or piercing, keep handling to a minimum, and follow the written instructions you're given. Don't over-clean piercings: cleaning more than twice a day, or twisting the jewellery, can irritate healing tissue. If something worries you, contact the studio rather than trying a social-media tip.
Read more: how long a tattoo takes to heal, when to take cling film off and swimming after a tattoo.
What Clients Say
Rated 5.0 out of 5 from over 700 Google reviews. Here are some of the latest:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the nearest tattoo shop to Bournemouth town centre?
Timebomb Tattoo & Piercing is at 109 Old Christchurch Road, BH1 1EP, in the town centre and a short walk from Bournemouth station.
Do you take walk-ins?
Yes, for small tattoos and flash when an artist is free, and for most piercings. Larger or detailed work needs an appointment.
Is the consultation free?
Yes. Consultations for custom tattoos are free. Bring references and an idea of placement and size.
How much is a small tattoo in Bournemouth?
Small and flash pieces typically start from around £50–£100, depending on detail and placement. The studio will confirm a price before you commit.
Do you tattoo people from Poole and Christchurch?
Yes. Many clients travel from Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne and across Dorset.
Is there another Timebomb studio?
Yes. The original Timebomb studio is at 22 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1PA. See tattoo studios near Croydon.
Book Your Tattoo or Piercing in Bournemouth
Call 01202 900050, email info@timebombbournemouth.com, or book online at Timebomb Bournemouth. Ask for a free consultation for custom work, or just drop in to check walk-in availability.
