As we settle in to our first May Bank holiday Monday, rejoicing in the knowledge we have the pleasure of this extra day of leisure to come again at the end of the month, we thought we’d put the spotlight on a great British seaside location, Bournemouth. We were lucky enough to visit Bournemouth last weekend, and luckier still, we were blessed with fantastic weather, so here’s a bitesize guide to Bournemouth and all it has to offer.
Beaches
Bournemouth possesses some great beaches along it’s beautiful coastline – 7 miles of beaches in fact – so there is something for every taste, whether you want to be active and explore or just find a spot to relax and gaze out to sea. If you are feeling adventurous, Bournemouth is part of the Jurassic coast which is home to some of the finest coves, cliffs and simply stunning scenery in the UK. If you are wanting to remain close to the town, the promenade provides a great place to wander along and enjoy the sea breeze, the sandy beaches and plenty of options for refreshment. We particularly enjoyed it for an early morning run punctuated by the exercise stations dotted along the sea front before a refreshing dip in the sea!
Food and drink
Bournemouth has plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants to satisfy all tastebuds and occasions. We enjoyed a fantastic cappuccino and brunch accompanied by a lively atmosphere and stunning sea view in Urban Reef in Boscombe (click here), and returned for an afternoon glass of wine and a beer. If you’re looking for somewhere to kick off your evening in style, 1812 (click here) is a great place to enjoy cocktails and start an evening’s entertainment. For an unforgettable view of Hengistbury Head and Old Harry Rocks accompanied by great food, we loved Edge in Alum Chine (click here), where you can dine al fresco on their roof terrace in the summer. If you fancy somewhere closer to town, Koh Tai (click here), either in Bournemouth or Boscombe, offer great Thai-style tapas in very cool surroundings.
Where to stay
There are some great options for accommodation in and around Bournemouth on AirBnB. If you want to stay in a hotel, The Green House Hotel (click here) is a great boutique hotel in a listed Victorian villa which also happens to be one of the top eco-hotels of the world. It has charm in abundance, a central location, a lovely restaurant and established gardens. If you fancy somewhere a little more wacky, the Chewton Glen treehouses (click here) are hard to beat with their amazing terraces, hot tubs and imaginative architecture.
If you have some spare time…
Bournemouth has plenty to offer if you happen to have more than a couple of days, with some great country pubs in the surrounding areas; the sculpted Bournemouth gardens that span 3km and often display the work of local art schools and colleges; the fun activities of Bournemouth pier; or the spectacular Old Harry Rocks.
Bravo Bournemouth!
We’ve only just covered our highlights and there is much more to see and do in Bournemouth. We loved our weekend there and will certainly be heading back this summer, and get another opportunity to rock our Bowler & Beach swim shorts there!
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