Bournemouth is a beautiful vibrant town in the South of England. Bournemouth famous beach has 10 kilometres (seven miles) of golden sands and sparkling sea.
The South Coast of England is a thriving cosmopolitan region attracting tourists from all over the world.
Bournemouth itself is also a student town, full of young people, vibrant night life, plenty of attractions, excellent shopping and beautiful parks and gardens.
There are 7 miles of golden sandy beaches in Bournemouth and lovely parks and gardens which benefit from the warmer than average climate. It is within easy reach of areas of outstanding natural beauty including the Jurassic Coast, a designated World Heritage Site and the New Forest. Every weekend there are student tours available to a famous places around Britain and Bournemouth is well connected to London.
Various Events, theatres and shows, bars, pubs, restaurants take place all year round.
If you are planning to travel in England, and want to see more than London, then Bournemouth is one of the best places to go, especially during summer due to the beach.
Getting to Bournemouth
By Coach
If you arrive by plane there is a good coach service with National Express from Gatwick and Heathrow airports. It is possible to buy your ticket at the coach office at the airport and you can pay by credit card or cash.
When you arrive in Bournemouth, you will need to get off at the Travel Interchange. Local taxis and buses are available from the Travel Interchange to take you to your accommodation. If you are staying in the city centre you can also walk from the train/bus station.
Approximate coach journey time to Bournemouth and fares:
Central London: 2 1/2 hours
Heathrow: 2 hours
Gatwick: 3 hours
Fares start from around £10.00 (one way/single), book well in-advance to get the best prices.
By Taxi
You can arrange for transportation to pick you up at the airport and bring you to Bournemouth. You will be met at Arrivals where the driver will be displaying a logo and your name. From Heathrow this costs around £140, which is quite expensive but saves the hassle of catching a bus/train. If your flight it delayed there might also be an extra charge for the driver’s waiting time/car park of around £20 per hour. If you miss your flights or the flight is delayed, you must contact the taxi company. If you can up to 72 hours (3 days) before the pick-up day you will unlikely to be charged.
By Train
If you wish to travel to Bournemouth by train you need to go to Waterloo Station in London. The journey time is just under two hours to Bournemouth Station located at the Travel Interchange where you can get local buses and taxis.
Where to Stay
There are lots of hotels, guest houses and places to stay throughout Bournemouth. The city centre is recommended so you are close to the shops, beach and nightlife.
Bournemouth Attractions
Beaches
Evening entertainment on the beach? For a spot of entertainment –take a seat at the Pier Theatre and watch one of the traditional seaside shows which entertain the crowds each year. During the summer months, Bournemouth hosts Bournemouth Live Music Festival. Stroll down to the Pier Approach area and listen to the sounds of live music under the stars, on the open air stage with bands playing folk, rock and roll, tribute, pop, country and much more.
Bournemouth Air Festival
One of the most impressive and exciting events take place right here in Bournemouth – Bournemouth Air Festival. You will have the chance to see Devils, Tigers, Hunter Jet, Red Arrows and many more. Bournemouth is in the process of major regeneration and throughout the year there are more cultural style festivals, which add to the vibrancy of the town.
Excellent Shopping
Bournemouth’s bustling town centre boasts a pedestrianised high street and Victorian arcades and is home to a range of shops, from department stores and high-street favourites to designer boutiques and independent retailers. You can also find excellent shopping including high street shops, boutiques and beauty shops in places like Westcliff.
Leisure
Bournemouth has a new state-of-the-art 10-screen Odeon multiplex cinema in the heart of the town centre, complete with an “i-Sense” floor to ceiling screen. The BH2 complex also includes restaurants and a casino. The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Bournemouth Pavillion host a variety of national and international acts and shows throughout the year. You can play traditional outdoor crazy golf in Bournemouth Gardens which is a lot of fun.
Nightlife
Bournemouth is famous for its night life, which has a youthful and upbeat atmosphere. There are so many different clubs, pubs and restaurants offering any music genre or style so everyone can find enjoyment. My top pick is Aruba nightclub located on Bournemouth Pier, there are balconies with beach/sea views! The Christchurch road is also a great place to go, there are lots of pubs, clubs and places to eat.
Sports
The Bournemouth Football Team ‘The Cherries’ was recently in the Premier League, and seeing a live game is exciting for sports fans. There are also many other sports competitions held in Bournemouth, including beach volley, beach polo and the ‘Grand Prix of the Sea’ powerboat and jet ski racing. In addition to competitive sport, Bournemouth is the perfect place to participate in outdoor sports and there are many opportunities to try a wide variety of water sports in addition to those on dry land. Running competitions include an annual marathon.
Food and Drink
Bournemouth offers a choice of casual, family and continental dining. Fourteen new restaurants have just opened in the BH2 complex in the lower gardens, and there are also dozens of independent restaurants and cafes providing a huge range of menus both day and night.
Best Places to Visit Near Bournemouth
Popular places of interest near Bournemouth include:
• Sandbanks and Poole Harbour
• The New Forest
• The Jurassic Coast – one of the few places in the UK which is breathtaking on a sunny day (in my opinion)
• Salisbury Cathedral