Having lived in Bournemouth for over 10 years I have to say - there's no other town for me.
The Beaches
***************
Bournemouth is adjacent to Poole (10 mins away) and the 2 towns join together to have the cleanest, nicest stretch of coastline in the UK.
Think golden (rubbish ... Read review
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Advantages: Sun, fab clean beaches, hip clubs, great mix of people and lots to do! Disadvantages: Tourists!
Having lived in Bournemouth for over 10 years I have to say - there's no other town for me.
The Beaches
***************
Bournemouth is adjacent to Poole (10 mins away) and the 2 towns join together to have the cleanest, nicest stretch of coastline in the UK.
Think golden (rubbish free sands) which are cleaned every day, clear blue water and Blue Flag approval from the EU.
My advice ... ...you want to go. Bournemouth town centre is based around the central Square , which is pedestrianised. You can't miss it; a pavement style café called Obscura is in the centre and is a great place to people watch or look at the street performers.
On either side of the Square are Commercial and Old Christchurch Roads. Both are crammed with the usual high Street chains/shops but also a few boutiques and unusual gift shops are thrown ... more
Having lived in Bournemouth for over 10 years I have to say - there's no other town for me.
The Beaches ***************
Bournemouth is adjacent to Poole (10 mins away) and the 2 towns join together to have the cleanest, nicest stretch of coastline in the UK.
Think golden (rubbish free sands) which are cleaned every day, clear blue water and Blue Flag approval from the EU.
My advice when visiting Bournemouth is avoid being a grockle (local speak for tourists) and think outside of the box. Everyone goes to the main beach (near the lower gardens in the town centre) but this stretch is full of vendors, foreign students and is therefore very overcrowded in summer.
Just a 5-10 mins walk away are Durley and Branksome Chines. These are quieter stretches of equally beautiful beach but with more breathing (and towel space) and pubs nearby.
If your feeling even more adventurous, go to Sandbanks in Poole (20 min drive or 45 minute walk along seafront from Bournemouth) and you'll think you're in the South of France (see the palm trees, yachts and multi-million pound homes). Every street in this area is like a car showroom and a few celebs can often be spotted out and about.
The Town ************
It depends on how far you want to go. Bournemouth town centre is based around the central Square , which is pedestrianised. You can't miss it; a pavement style café called Obscura is in the centre and is a great place to people watch or look at the street performers.
On either side of the Square are Commercial and Old Christchurch Roads. Both are crammed with the usual high Street chains/shops but also a few boutiques and unusual gift shops are thrown in to the mix. Some of the best places to go are the surf shops, Just Add water, Crazy Water , Animal and Fat Face are fab.
For desiger clothes try John Anthony (Old Christchurch Road) and Richmond Classics (Richmond Hill - just off the square). There's also local brand Criminal. Check out their new store off Old Christchurch Road.
Bars/Restaurants ********************
One thing you'll notice is that every other building is a swank new bar or restaurant (especially in Old Christchurch Road). Everyone is catered for in this town and where you hang out speaks volumes about you.
The students tend to hang out at the top end of Old Christchurch Road and Lansdowne Road in the Old Fire Station, Bar Vin, Litten Tree and Bar Med and Walkabout.
The gay area (The Triangle) - has Rubyz (a great cabaret bar and nightclub with fabulous host , Dame Kitty) and lots of pubs.
The hen night/stag night crews crawl from one end of town to the other - starting in places like the Moon in the Square and end up in theme clubs like the 70's experience in Fir Vale Road (get your flare's out!)
The cool crowd and UK celebs in town, start off at Jimmy's Bar/nightclub for eats and to be seen, then progress to the K Bar, Klute, Toko or Bar So. Think the best DJ's music, beautiful people and long queues. **My tip is book ahead at Jimmy's (tel: 01202 589069)and pay for a booth to guarantee entry into the club afterwards.***
The Opera House nightclub is the home of the famous Slinky brand and is located in Boscombe (£5 - £10 by taxi from city centre).
Restaurants in town vary from chains like Pizza Hut and Yellow River to small bistros.
My favourites are:
Cantonese: Red Panda (pier approach) and Ocean Palace Jimmy's (book early to secure a booth) Italian: La Strada (a hidden gem of an Italian restaurant )- smack bang in the town centre (underneath Klute) and Alcatraz (Old Christchurch Road) Funky Sushi - on top of Klute bar Pacific - Thai restaurant WestBeach - on the beach restaurant ( the sand is 5 ft away) with amazing views and fab a la carte food.
Transport ***********
The town centre does get very congested in Summer but there are frequent Yellow Buses to all parts of the town (from the Square) which run regularly and you can buy day passes for less than a tenner.
The red Wilts & Dorset buses which also operate every 10 - 15 mins from the square will take you to Poole and further affield. Try the 101 - 105 buses to Poole town centre. A day return to Poole will cost you appx £2.50.
Taxi ranks are based in the Square or at either end of Commercial and Old Christchurch Roads (expect queues) in the evening. I use United Taxis, who are registered with the local council, have female drivers (if you feel safer with one) and have a large fleet of cars call: 01202 556677 to book.
Trains run hourly to London Waterloo/Southampton and the station is a 10 - 15 minute walk to the town centre). There is also a taxi rank outside of the station but, unless you have lots to carry, my advice is walk instead as it's mainly downhill.
Walking - all of the bars are within walking distance of most of the hotels (which I haven't rated as I've never had to stay in any 'coz I live here!) and it's easy to get around on foot. Most hotels are around a 10 minute walk from the beach (some are even closer).
Activities *********
If you want to admire the view take a £10 trip in the balloon in the lower gardens. Attached to a winch you get lifted high above the Bournemouth skyline and on a clear day can see for miles (great for photos).
The pier offers everything, from the chance to stretch your legs, to booking boat trips and in the summer you can hire a parascender or jet ski.
Surfing in the area is centred on Boscombe pier (10 mins from Bournemouth) and you can walk to it) and there are lots of great surf schools in the area. For windsurfing and kitesurfing book with a reputable school in Poole Harbour. The Waterboard and French Connection have instructors and equiptment for hire.
Further afield - a trip to the Purbecks (by chain Ferry from Sandbanks) takes you to Studland Beach (a national trust nature reserve and part nudist beach - so beware!).
The Purbecks are the strip of land that face Bournemouth as you look across the sea to Poole and have some fab walks (try the Branksome Arms pub for a meal with a breathtaking view).
Monkey World near Wareham is a fun day out (buses go from Bournemouth daily). It's a huge monkey sanctuary which offers lots of activities for families and kids.
Even further affield, the New Forest (inbetween Southampton and Bournemouth) is a 15 minunte drive away. There you'll see the famous New Forest ponies that roam wild, together with deer, the occasional herd of pigs (I kid you not) and amazing marked walks.
A lot of people like to camp and there are many campsites with great facilities. For car freaks - a must is the Bealieu Motor Museam and estate. A huge country estate which houses a massive car museum with everything from the earliest classic cars to F1 cars (and even some motorbikes). When I visited I didn't think I'd enjoy it - but the collection is so varied and huge I have to admit that I did.
Nearby is Paulton's Park a small theme park with rides for kids of all ages. Ther'es also Alice In Wonderland park which...yes you've guessed it - has people dressed as characters from the book wandering around and rides/attractions for kids.
For a spooky experiece, the small village of Burley in the New Forest only has a few shops/teashop - but if you visit you'll notice a witchcraft theme in every gift shop - try "A Coven of Wtches" for some unusual gifts! This is becase Burley has a long and spooky history involving highwaymen, smugglers and witches.
Hurn airport (on the outskirts of Bournemouth) has a go-karting track to keep the bigger kids amused !!
What if it rains? ****************
Ok, we live in the UK - not California and occasionally the heavens open.
In that case there's the BIC (behind the seafront) which in the summer has an ice rink. There's also Westover Road for the ABC & Odeon Cinemas and a Sega Gameworld arcade for the kids (and big kids).
Even better is the Oceanarium on the seafront (Pier approach). I love this place. It's not huge but has great displays, including a tunnel to see the sharks and rays. You can also see the sharks, rays and sea turtles being fed every afternoon (usually around 2pm - but check for times).
There are also 2 bowling alleys nearby.
Conclusion *************
In my opinion, if the weather's good - Bournemouth can rival any Spanish resort and it shook its blue rinse image off years ago.
...so I begin… Bournemouth Town Bournemouth’s great. It’s compact enough to generally be able to get most central points on foot. It’s very busy in the summer with the massive influx of foreign students; Bournemouth has a ridiculous number of language schools and nearly everyone in the town is involved in some way or another, teachers, host families, pub landlords etc. It’s definitely quieter in the winter, but with the expanding university the population ... ...There’s only one comprehensive in Bournemouth and that’s Catholic, and I hear it’s very good. The remainder of secondary schools are made up of approximately eight secondary moderns, of which I believe three are mixed. I mention the education system here because it’s actually quite indicative of the town as a whole, it’s a True Blue Tory area, and regardless of your politics, you can’t fail to notice it! Bournemouth’s strange in the fact that it’s ...
miriamb 03.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bournemouth in General
Advantages: Lots to do and very cosmopolitan Disadvantages: Drunks and beggars
...to choose from.
Unfortunately, Bournemouth like all other towns has fallen prey to the rise of the chain pub. So you'll find Bar Med, Hogshead, O'Neills and all the others that you have in your own town. That said, though, they were all spacious and very nicely styled, the staff everywhere were very friendly and loads of them had outdoor seating areas. So although I've been in these pubs in several other cities, the ones in Bournemouth were slightly ... ...heard reports of voilence in Bournemouth at night, but I have to say that I saw none at all that particular night. I felt very comfortable everywhere I went and had a riot of a time, even in the Beaver place.
The town in general:
Bournemouth is very green, with loads of garden spaces packed with trees and flowers. This is all very pleasant indeed and a nice relaxing place to take a pew, have an ice cream and watch the world go by (and I do mean ...
sandrabarber 07.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bournemouth in General
Advantages: Lots to do, gardens, beaches, night life. Disadvantages: Expensive.
I work in Bournemouth and live about half an hour's drive away, and have done for most of my life, so I feel like I am qualified to write a fairly comprehensive review of the town! I have always loved it and will never get tired of it.
Bournemouth is not cheap - I heard today that it is one of the country's Hot Spots for rising property prices, but if you visit you will see why. It really does have so much to offer for all ages. A beautiful beach ... ...outskirts of the town.
Bournemouth has an average selection of shops, all within easy walking distance of each other. Particularly noteworthy (i.e. shops which are not found in every other town under the sun!) are Borders Bookshop, Shakeaway Gourmet Milkshakes (heaven!) and the recently opened New Look superstore. You may not think this is worth writing home about, but it is worth a look just because it is HUGE! Shopping in Bournemouth is a pleasant ...
Pumpkin 29.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bournemouth in General
Advantages: clean beaches,blue sea,decent hotels Disadvantages: insulting prices poor value nasty atmosphere in town centre at night
...in what was once beautiful Bournemouth I now find myself living within an hours drive of this metropolis.
Even allowing for chilhood nostalgia(things often look better through the eyes of a child don't they) Bournemouth has gone decidedly downmarket.
It still has some grand hotels,Hilton,Highcliffe and The Royal Bath to name but three ,however,if you want to experience rip off Britain at its finest you won't be dissapointed in Bournemouth.
The ... ...justified in a place like Bournemouth when you can rest your swede in the Shangri La in Kuala Lumpur (one of the worlds top ten hotels) for £80.00 per room per night!
The really offputting thing about Bournemouth is the agressive and numerous individuals begging for cash on the streets from early evening onwards.
Im lucky in that my husband is built like a brick .... house otherwise I would have been forced to abandon a recent 7pm sojourn through ...
janehammill 11.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bournemouth in General
...from a short break to Bournemouth with my boyfriend, so I thought it would be a good time to right something about it. We were initially going to go abroad, but being poor students, we dont have very much money, and decided to stay in the country. I chose Bournemouth because I've heard some great things about it, and I must say I really enjoyed it (helped a lot by the hot, sunny weather).
Living in Brighton means its just a 1½ - 2 hour drive, and ... ...numerous trains that run into Bournemouth from various places, or you can get a coach (check prices in your area). Both go into the centre of town.
Finding accommodation in Bournemouth is no problem. Wherever you go you will find a wide range of hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and holiday flats. Theres something to suit all tastes and all budgets.
Well what is there to do? You're all thinking. There is something for everybody. Bournemouth ...
sarah20 14.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bournemouth in General
