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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Bournemouth: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Bournemouth
- Bournemouth was a magical spa town a century or so ago, where royalty, celebrities, and the well-to-do flocked to enjoy the pine-scented air, decent weather (by English standards), seven miles of sandy beach, and the first spa hotel.
- Some of the best places to stay in Bournemouth are still close to the long stretch of sandy, golden beach, and there are plenty of unspoiled views. With its fair, arcade, shops, and boat rides, the Pier is in the heart of the city.
- The beautiful spa hotel is now the Town Hall, and many visitors arrive by coach - either retired people or stag or hen dos - but there's still plenty of seaside magic in Bournemouth, as well as plenty of opportunity for pampering and wellness treatments.
- Bournemouth's growing students and surfers have given the town a much more bohemian vibe in recent years than other old seaside resorts.
- Bournemouth also has a few galleries, a few theatres, and some lovely gardens.
- And, as you might expect from the mention of stags and hens, Bournemouth is also known for its vibrant nightlife and diverse dining and drinking options.
- Bournemouth has something for everyone, with award-winning beaches and the sizzling south coast sunshine.
- You can walk the Dorset coastline, catch some culture at the Russell-Cotes House Gallery, explore the numerous green spaces, attend a shoreline festival, and return home refreshed and re-energised-energised.
- Bournemouth and the surrounding areas of Alum Chine and Boscombe have an array of green gorgeousness to marvel at, ranging from traditional Victorian gardens to celebrated tropical gardens.
- Bournemouth's parks and gardens are ideal for a stroll, with views across the bay to the Isle of Wight and the Jurassic Coast and a scurry of friendly squirrels who live among the pines with other wildlife.
- Bournemouth's beaches are well-known for being among the safest in the country, thanks to the addition of RNLI lifeguards on a seasonal basis and four Blue Flag beaches to choose from: Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, and Southbourne (some of which are dog-friendly beaches too).
- With breathtaking views and all of the traditional pier attractions nearby, grab an ice cream cone, sink into a deck chair, and relax!
- International Airport: Bournemouth Airport (BOH)
- Population- 510,021
- Currency- pound sterling
- Time: Bournemouth, UK (GMT)
- Driving side- Left
- Main Electricity- 220/240 AC
- Official Language- English
- Religion- Christians
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Bournemouth
- The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a beautiful place to visit, filled to the brim with historical artefacts from all over the world.
- It is one of the last Victorian manor houses to be built and houses the varied collection amassed by Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife, who were avid travellers.
- Enjoy a picnic in the sun before heading off to get some ice cream or visit the Oceanarium, which is home to penguins, turtles, clownfish, otters, and more!
- Spend the afternoon at Bournemouth Beach, which is sandy.
- Take a stroll through the lovely Lower Gardens.
- Play tennis, visit the bird sanctuary or look for Koi Carp swimming in the pond to work up an appetite.
- Wander through the lovely Westbourne Urban Village neighbourhood, filled with independent boutique shops, bars, and restaurants.
- This charming Victorian arcade is well worth a visit.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Bournemouth
- The months with the best weather in Bournemouth are June, July, August, and September.
- July, August, and September are the warmest months on average.
- January and February are the coldest months.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Bournemouth
Bournemouth Beach
- This beach is well-known for its golden sand, and it also houses Britain's oldest beach hut, built-in 1909.
- Visitors can walk, cycle, or run for miles in either direction or relax on a beach towel and enjoy the views.
Pier to Shore Zip Wire
- Bournemouth Pier was constructed in the Victorian era. Still, it has since been completely renovated to include an amusement arcade, climbing walls, and the world's first pier-to-shore zip wire.
- This is a great place to start if you're looking for things to do in Bournemouth with kids.
Bournemouth Gardens
- There are several award-winning gardens spread across 842 hectares.
- Since 1999, the Upper, Central, and Lower Gardens have been awarded the Green Flag.
- From Bournemouth Pier to the outskirts of Poole, there's a lovely three-kilometre walk.
- The Lower Gardens are home to a popular mini-golf course, an aviary, a bandstand, and a Street Food Corner.
- The Upper Gardens are a hidden gem – we'd been coming to Bournemouth for years before discovering them!
- Following the path from the Lower Gardens, you will encounter ornamental red bridges, a tower folly, and, finally, a Coy carp pond.
- One of the most beautiful private gardens in the UK, Compton Acres is another garden not to be missed in the Bournemouth area.
Russell Cotes
- The Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is one of our favourite things to do in Bournemouth.
- Sir Merton Russell-Cotes gave this historic Bournemouth house to his wife, Annie, as a birthday present.
- Built-in, Art-Nouveau style, finished in 1901.
- The couple was passionate about art and amassed a substantial collection during their travels.
- In 1907, they donated their home and pool to Bournemouth, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
- Over 1,000 objects, including some lovely Pre-Raphaelite paintings like Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Venus Verticordia.
- The views of the sea from the house and gardens are breathtaking.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Bournemouth Off the Beaten Track
WESTBOURNE
- Westbourne is 'in' Bournemouth, but it feels like a village with its own identity, and it's a popular destination for newcomers.
- It's packed with independent shops, coffee shops, and a stunning arcade.
- All local primary schools are rated 'good,' and St Alban's C of E is rated 'outstanding.'
- Property isn't cheap, but it's a fantastic place to raise a family.
BOSCOMBE
- This Bournemouth seaside suburb has gotten a bad rap over the years.
- However, Boscombe appears to have turned a corner in the last decade.
- Boscombe Manor (also known as the "seaside side of town") is unquestionably the more beautiful and gentrified part of town.
- Houses in the area are generally less expensive than in other Bournemouth suburbs, which is a big plus, and there are several good primary and secondary schools.
SANDBANKS
- If you have a lot of money to spend, go to Sandbanks, also known as "Britain's Palm Beach."
- Because of its 'island vibe' and uninterrupted view of Poole Harbour, this area is a magnet for the wealthy.
- It's a beautiful location that can't develop because it's on a peninsula.
- As a result, the value of your home will only rise!
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Bournemouth Culture and Traditions
- This idyllic British seaside town on England's South Coast, located in the picturesque county of Dorset, has been a European holiday hotspot for decades.
- Bournemouth, a coastal jewel, is known as a cultural and entertainment hotspot.
- Every year, tourists and holiday flock to Bournemouth to enjoy the stunning beaches, quirky shops, delectable cafés, and, on occasion, some sunshine.
- Bournemouth is home to a world-class orchestra, an international dance centre, and a fantastic art gallery and museum.
- There are also cultural events and activities for everyone regularly.
- Arts Bournemouth exists to promote and support the arts in Bournemouth.
- We collaborate with a wide range of partners on a local, national, and international scale.
- Arts Bournemouth organises the annual Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival and a year-round calendar of events.
- These promote greater awareness of and participation in outstanding and engaging arts in various media and art forms.
- Heritage and cultural activities contribute to Bournemouth being an inspiring, creative, and enjoyable place to live.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Bournemouth: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Food
#Food
- Bournemouth has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs, including seafront eateries, award-winning fine dining, afternoon tea, and international cuisine.
- When visiting the south coast, don't forget to try the seafood restaurants and sample the catch of the day.
- There is something for everyone's tastes and budgets, whether you want a quick coffee break while shopping, a leisurely lunch with friends, or haute cuisine at a high-end hotel or beachfront location.
- There are also a growing number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Bournemouth - you don't have to wait for meat-free Monday to try one of their delicious and nutritious dishes!
- Bournemouth, Dorset's largest resort, has a wide range of takeaway options.
- Sushi, vegan, Vietnamese, Greek, Italian, or traditional fish and chips - you name it, Bournemouth has it.
- Go ahead, spoil yourself! Choosing a restaurant with sea views is one of the best parts of going to the beach.
- Whether you eat in or take fish and chips to the beach, this should be at the top of your list when visiting Bournemouth.
- Key West Bar and Grill is conveniently located on Bournemouth Pier, offering panoramic views of the bay and seafront.
- Come in for a coffee, a bite to eat, or a cocktail.
- You can either eat inside or dine on their outdoor terrace if the weather is nice (which it usually is).
- With an abundance of fresh seafood, succulent, locally raised beef, lamb, and pork, artisan Dorset cheese, and divine ice cream, Bournemouth can satisfy even the most voracious appetites.
- Alternatively, why not try a traditional Dorset cream tea in one of the cafes or hotels?
- You can also take the Tea Bus for an afternoon tea on the go! Make room in your suitcase for some local produce to remind you of your Bournemouth holiday.
- You'll find a fantastic selection of cheeses, wines, ciders, and fudge in the local shops and markets.
Fashion
#Fashion
- Bournemouth's city centre is well-known for its shopping, and people travel long distances to indulge in some retail therapy.
- Beales is Bournemouth's oldest department store, and there are several independent boutiques both here and in nearby Westbourne.
- The arcade is a Victorian-style covered gallery in Bournemouth that is ideal for gift shopping.
- It is home to Cath Kidston, Waterstones, and several jewellers.
- B&Q, Marks & Spencer, and Topshop are among the well-known retailers at Castlepoint Shopping Centre.
Bournemouth Beach
#Fun
- Bournemouth Beach is an undeniable draw in any season, and it is frequently cited as the best in the country.
- The term "Bournemouth Beach" is sometimes used to describe the entire seven-mile coastline of the town, but it usually refers to the central area near the pier and Lower Gardens.
- This section has a long stretch of golden sand bounded by the Undercliff Promenade, lined with cafes, ice cream shops, and cute wooden beach huts with painted doors.
- Paths zigzag down the cliff behind or take one of three Victorian funiculars from the street above.
- Can hire Windbreaks, deck chairs, and parasols all along Bournemouth Beach, and younger children will enjoy riding the Land Train to one of the quieter neighbouring beaches.
West Cliff Lift
#Fun
- The West Cliff Lift, a convenient and time-honoured way to get to the beach and promenade, is a funicular railway that has been carrying 12 passengers at a time up and down the cliff west of Bournemouth Pier since 1908.
- It's one of three funiculars in town, all of which operate during the summer.
- The West Cliff Lift, on the other hand, has the steepest gradient on its 44-metre line, at 70%.
- When the line was electrified in the 1960s, the old wooden cars were replaced by the current aluminium cabins, which have pleasant views of the Pier to the east.
Bournemouth Pier
#Fun
- The 305-metre Bournemouth Pier (1880), a part of Bournemouth for nearly 140 years, is still the centre of attention in the summer.
- At that time of year, you must pay a small fee to enter, whereas, in the winter, admission is free.
- It's a walk worth taking at any time of year to take in Bournemouth's seven miles of coastline, as well as views of the Solent, the Isle of Wight, and the Purbeck Hills to the west.
- The Pier has all the pleasures of the English seaside in the summer, with traditional games, an arcade at the landward end, and concession stands.
- The Pier's former theatre closed in 2014 and is now an indoor play area for children, while older children and adults can ride the Pier Zip, a zip-line that whisks you over the waves to the shore from a pier tower.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Bournemouth: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- Bournemouth is known for its golden sand, but did you know we have over 100 parks and public spaces, including ten nature reserves?
- We're also proud to have four SSSIs – Hengistbury Head, Kinson Common, Southbourne Overcliff, and Turbary Common.
- These areas are home to a diverse range of habitats, from heathland and woods to meadows and marshland, making them ideal for plants and animals.
- There are hundreds of different species in and around the resort, and our nature reserves are also home to some scarce and unique creatures.
- Hengistbury Head is a wildlife enthusiast's favourite, with many animals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians scurrying around this historic headland.
- The Stour Valley, located on the northwestern outskirts of Bournemouth, is a riverside nature reserve.
- It was one of the first to receive a green flag and consisted of a two-mile stretch of riverside walks, meadows, hedgerows, and woodland.
- Keep an eye out for Cetti's warblers, kingfishers, and otters!
- A team of rangers is stationed nearby at Kingfisher Barn, and a visitor centre opened in May 2016.
- The centre and its staff will assist you in exploring the Stour Valley Nature Reserve and discovering all of its fascinating flora and fauna.
- If you need some direction, there is a calendar of events and walks available throughout the year.
- Bournemouth is also known for its magnificent clifftops.
- But it's not just people who flock to these picturesque cliffs thanks to a slew of luxury hotels; there's also a thriving ecosystem.
- More than 300 plant species thrive on the dry, sandy soils of our cliffs.
- Some have unusual names, such as mossy stonecrop, suffocated clover, and hairy birdsfoot trefoil!
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Bournemouth Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- Bournemouth is very proud of what's going around, which has a reputation as an eventful destination.
- Bournemouth festivals distinguish us from other British seaside towns, and they are what keep families and enthusiasts returning to the destination year after year.
- Significant festivals take place all year, beginning with the Bournemouth Bay Run in the spring.
- There's no better place to work up a sweat than beside the seaside along the Bournemouth coastline, with various distances available.
- Whether you're a competitive athlete or a casual runner, there's no better place to work up a sweat than beside the seaside along the Bournemouth coastline.
- The Bournemouth Air Festival swoops into town, bringing with it a slew of the world's most impressive planes.
- It's the ideal family festival, with four days of fun on the land, sea, and in the sky.
- The famous collection of Britain's Armed Forces enchants crowds along our award-winning seafront, and best of all, it's free!
- Although there are usually ticketed pop concerts and rides, it is perfectly possible to enjoy the festival without paying a dime.
- With the Arts by the Sea Festival in Bournemouth in the autumn, we turn our minds and eyes to culture.
- This multidisciplinary event features a packed schedule of art, dance, music, and theatre over several days and in venues throughout Bournemouth and further out into our coastal villages.
- It's a great way to learn and discover more about art and culture against a stunning coastal backdrop, with acts that appeal to people of all ages.
- We will also have fantastic Halloween events in October and November!
- Celebrate Christmas in Bournemouth in November and into the New Year.
- Throughout the year, we also host several smaller and specialised festivals.
- There's always a reason to celebrate in Bournemouth, from food and drink to jazz and introductions to other countries and cultures.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Bournemouth Holiday
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