Bar-room connaisseur and still a student at heart (broke, that is) I now work for an engineering fir...
Bar-room connaisseur and still a student at heart (broke, that is) I now work for an engineering firm dealing with some of their foreign clients. I'm not really an expert on anything, but have a pretty sound grasp of a wide number of subjects from prog...
Member since:17.07.2000
Reviews:56
Members who trust:7
Bournemouth is often regarded as a quiet little retirement town but, since a radical redevelopment and rebranding of the town as a mediterraneanresort, that is no longer the case. The town enjoys some of the finest weather in country, and the huge parks, fantastic beach and immaculate gardens which used to draw elderly holiday makers by the coachload are nowadays enjoyed by all ages. In fact, a large student presence (both local and foreign students) makes Bournemouth by far the most cosmopolitan town in Dorset. The student presence has given rise to a proliferation of good pubs and clubs - You can find live music most nights of the week (Try O'Neils at the top of Old Christchurch Rd), and with places like DNA down the road there's no need to go to bed before 5 in the morning on any night of the week.
Be prepared to pay for the privelege though, a bottle of lager will cost you anything up to £2.80 on or near the seafront, but the student places up towards the train station do charge less -liquids charges just £1.50 for any drink. For cheaper drink in the centre though, I recommend Murphy's pub near the BIC, where a pint will set you back well under £2.
As for eating, there is no shortage of food in Bournemouth, but it's not all good. Avoid the touristy places and head for the triangle, where there a a number of excellent eateries. Funchal by night is a classy Portugese resturant with some excellent wines, or if you don't feel like dressing up the Oriental Express across the road comes highly recommended. I can't close this paragraph without mentioning the Eye of the Tiger on Old Christchurch Rd - It's pricey but it's one of the best curry places I 've ever tried. (And for someone who lived 3 years in the Midlands that's high praise indeed.)
Another musn't- miss is the Vistarama tethered helium balloon. At a tenner a head it's not cheap but on a clear day you go up a long way and can see 30 miles or more in each direction. Pretty spectacular stuff.
One final word of warning - don't drive into Bournemouth centre, it's a nightmare to park- first to find a space and then to pay for it. I believe an experimental Park and Ride scheme is running from a car park off the Wessex Way (The main road into Bournemouth, keep in the left lane after Ringwood). Better yet, park cheaply in Ringwood for as long as you need and catch a bus or coach for the last 10 miles. Everything you need in Bournemouth is within walking distance of the coach station (which is right by the train station.)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I still profess you should write a book about touring in Bournemouth,
dogscoff. You coiuld sell it in the local shops. Hey people buy books about
smugglers in the area - I'm sure they'd buy a town guide...
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Venere.com Hotel Booking<br>
Instantly book your Hotel, B&B or Appartment with Venere.com. Huge European selection with photos, reviews, maps and rates. Booking Direct means Lower Prices. Book now, pay on Check out.
Jul 17th, 2000
very helpful by (83%):
helpful by (17%):
