The city of Bournemouth is one of the top tourist destinations in the UK. This is for a good reason, due to its natural beauty, historical precedence, and a range of exciting things to see and do.
This post will cover why it is so popular and some things to occupy your time while visiting.
Where Is Bournemouth?
Bournemouth is a city in Dorset, England, located in the southeast of England, with the English Channel and the European mainland to its south. This quaint little place has a rich yet hidden history. The town is home to the famous Bournemouth Pavilion, one of the most photographed locations in the country. The resort town is best known for its sandy promenade and music festivals and its annual Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival (great for the foodies among you). Bournemouth’s sandy beaches and lighthouse make it a popular destination for visitors to the UK. The city is also the site of the Edwardian seaside resort of Boscombe, which is its most popular attraction. You can see what there is to do in Bournemouth by checking out the recommendations of locals and visiting several websites related to showcasing the fun and exciting activities and amenities. However, this post will give you a good overview of some exciting places to visit, including some lesser-known activities that should appeal to families and individual travelers alike.
What Is The Best Way To Get There?
It is easy to get to Bournemouth from almost anywhere in the UK. Fortunately, the place is well-connected and includes:
- An international airport (23 destinations, mostly from European countries).
- Numerous Coach stations with connections to:
- London Victoria railway station.
- Heathrow airport.
- Gatwick airport.
- Two railway stations.
- Extensive road connections, including from a major motorway artery, the M3.
How to arrive is up to you, but most domestic travelers find that road or rail is often the most convenient. Suppose you are visiting from an international destination and not part of a tour group. In that case, you could hire a car or utilize any of the significant connections from Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
Things To Do
Now that you know how to get here, you are probably wondering what there is to do? If you’re looking for beautiful excursions and restaurants to enjoy, you’re in luck.
RockReef Activity Centre And Zipline
This option is for the more adventurous among you and is also an ideal family trip. The Bournemouth RockReef Activity Centre is a climbing site and is the second-largest in the United Kingdom and one of the largest in Europe. The rock reef is an indoor adventure attraction open year-round, operating in all weather conditions, offering various fun activities for people looking for something to do. It is fantastic fun for all of the family, and the icing on the cake is the associated zipline which is the first-ever pier to shore zip line. In addition to being the perfect location for families, it can also be used for team building and other group activities.
Hop-On And Off With An Open Top Bus Tour
In this age of the internet and digital tours, open-top bus tours may seem outdated, but with the right guide, you can have a great time. Furthermore, you will have the ability to hop on and hop off according to the timetable, meaning that you can pick and choose the things you want to see or miss. Essentially, these buses give you an enormous amount of flexibility. All in all, this tour has 23 stops around the town, including some of the most popular sightseeing destinations:
- Westbourne
- Canford Cliffs
- Sandbanks
- Poole Park
- Poole Quay
- Poole Old Town
Spend The Day In Your Very Own Beach Pod!
This option is best suited for those spending more than one day in Bournemouth. This is because you can quickly lose track of time when lounging around looking over the open seas in a home away from home! Boscombe Overstrand’s beach Pods provide breathtaking views across the bay, making them a fantastic spot for a beach holiday. Although they are not intended for sleeping, you can use them as a convenient hub for your holiday and as a way to relax away from the hustle and bustle. You can curl up with a good book and watch the world go by or unwind after learning how to surf at the nearby surfing school!
Discover Bournemouth Upper Gardens
These stunning and impeccably maintained gardens were built in the latter half of the 1800s and showcase some beautiful flowers and dramatic follies dotted around the place. Several unique species of trees can be found in the gardens, including the largest North American Redwood in the country and some large Persian Ironwoods. You can follow several paths, or you can choose to get lost in the mind of a Victorian naturist and get a sense of how dedicated they were to preserving natural beauty. Fortunately, the paths are designed so that you don’t need any special preparation to visit. Comfortable shoes, a backpack, and some water should suffice (a hat is advised for hot and sunny days).
Visit The Deep Seas At Bournemouth Aquarium
The Bournemouth Aquarium is a marine life sanctuary that houses thousands of different types of fish and invertebrates worldwide. The best part is that it is located only a stone’s throw away from the town centre and next to the pier. Therefore, you can choose to spend as long as you like perusing the various underwater marvels and then retire into town for a delicious fish dinner (looking at fish all day can build up an ironic appetite!). It is family-friendly and includes many activities to keep your children entertained and interested in learning about the ocean, including the various conservation efforts required to preserve it for future generations.
If you’re in the UK and you like the beach and the outdoors, you should absolutely consider a trip to Bournemouth. You’ll probably leave with a tan and many stories, which is precisely what you want from a vacation! There is no shortage of things to see and do in the city, from rambling through Victorian gardens to zip lining and rock climbing.
