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Introduction
England's most endearing seaside resort may be Bournemouth (pop 200,000; urban 530,000). Founded in 1810 between Poole and Christchurch, Bournemouth is relatively new city by European standard. The resort benefits from a mild microclimate thanks to its sheltered bay.
The town has nothing exceptional, but is pleasant enough, with its chines (mountain ridges) running down to the littoral. Bournemouth's beaches have been ranked the cleanest in Britain, as well as the best for open-air sex if we believe the survey by a famous condom maker.
Interesting Facts about Bournemouth
- Bournemouth enjoys an average of 7.7 hours of sunshine per day during summer, making it one of the sunniest places in the UK.
- The town is unique in England for having only one "street" - Orchard Street - as early residents thought the word "street" had working-class connotations and preferred more posh-sounding names like "road" and "avenue".
- J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, frequently visited Bournemouth and always stayed in the same room (room 205) at the Hotel Miramar before eventually moving to the town.
- Bournemouth is where Guglielmo Marconi conducted experiments that led to the invention of the portable radio.
- Before 1810, the area was nothing but uninhabited heathland visited only by fishermen and smugglers, including the notorious Isaac Gulliver.
- The town is home to England's first public beach hut, built in 1909, with hut number 2359 still standing today and marked with a blue plaque.
- After Liverpool and London, Bournemouth hosted more Beatles concerts than any other UK town, and the cover photo for their album "With the Beatles" was taken at the Palace Court hotel (now Premier Inn).
- An impressive 750,000 ice creams are sold annually in Bournemouth, averaging about 2,000 per day.
- Boscombe Pier was voted "Britain's Coolest Pier" in 2009 and "Pier of the Year" in 2010 by the National Piers Society.
- Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, is buried in St Peter's Church in Bournemouth.
- Robert Louis Stevenson wrote "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" whilst living at 'Skerryvore' house in Westbourne, Bournemouth.
- The town boasts nearly 2,000 beach huts along its seven-mile stretch of golden sand, representing around 10% of all beach huts in the UK.
- Bournemouth was founded in 1810 by retired army officer Lewis Tregonwell, who built the first house after his wife fell in love with the area.
- The town attracts over five million visitors annually to its coastline and entertainment facilities.
- St Peter's Church features a 202-foot spire that dominates the skyline and has been described as having "one of the richest Gothic Revival interiors in England".
History
Until the early 19th century, the area now known as Bournemouth was a desolate and wild heathland, frequented only by fishermen and smugglers. This remote stretch, known as 'Bourne Heath', was a wilderness of gorse, ferns, and pine trees, with the Bourne Stream carving a path to the sea at 'Bourne Mouth'. The notorious smuggler Isaac Gulliver was a prominent figure in the area, using the deserted beach to land illicit cargoes of spirits, tea, and tobacco. The transformation of this common land began with the Christchurch Inclosures Act of 1802, which privatised thousands of acres. Key purchasers included Sir George Ivison Tapps, who bought a large section of what would become the town centre and East Cliff, and proceeded to plant thousands of pine trees, an act that would later contribute to the town's reputation as a health resort.
The founding of Bournemouth is credited to Lewis Tregonwell, a retired army officer who, in 1810, visited the area with his wife and was so taken by its beauty that he purchased 8.5 acres to build a country home. This house now forms part of the Royal Exeter Hotel. Following Tregonwell, the development of a seaside resort began in earnest in 1836 under Sir George William Tapps-Gervis, who commissioned architect Benjamin Ferrey to design a series of villas for wealthy visitors. The first hotels opened in 1838, and by 1840 the settlement was officially recognised with the single name 'Bournemouth'. A pivotal moment came in 1841 with a visit from Dr Augustus Bozzi Granville, who praised the town in his book The Spas of England as an ideal location for those with health problems, particularly chest complaints, cementing its future as a fashionable health resort.
The Victorian era saw Bournemouth experience phenomenal growth, driven by key infrastructure developments and its burgeoning reputation. The arrival of the railway in 1870 made the resort vastly more accessible, leading to a huge increase in visitors from London and the Midlands. The population surged from 695 in 1851 to nearly 60,000 by 1900. Local governance was established in 1856 with the Bournemouth Improvement Act, which created a body of commissioners to manage paving, sewerage, and street lighting. A small wooden jetty built in 1855 was replaced by a grand 838-foot iron pier in 1880, the same decade the town gained its first piped water supply and gas lighting. The town's cultural amenities also grew, with the Winter Gardens completed in 1875. In recognition of its status, Bournemouth became a municipal borough in 1890 and a county borough in 1900.
Main Attractions
Bournemouth Beaches
Bournemouth's seven miles of sandy coastline represents the town's primary attraction, stretching from Sandbanks in the west to Southbourne in the east. The main beach areas include Bournemouth Beach, Durley Chine, and Southbourne, all recognised for their clean water quality and comprehensive facilities. The beaches offer lifeguarded zones during peak season, beach huts available for hire, and excellent conditions for swimming and various water sports. Along the beachfront, visitors will find numerous eateries, ice cream stalls, amusement arcades, and deckchair hire services, making it well-equipped for day-long visits.
Bournemouth Pier
The historic Victorian pier extends into the sea and serves as both a landmark and entertainment venue. The pier houses traditional amusement arcades, a café, gift shop, and provides panoramic views of the coastline from its elevated position. RockReef, an indoor activity centre located on the pier, features climbing walls and a high ropes course alongside the unique Pier Cave experience. The PierZip represents one of the pier's most distinctive attractions, offering visitors the opportunity to zip wire from the end of the pier directly to the beach below, providing both an adrenaline rush and spectacular coastal views.
Lower, Central, and Upper Gardens
Bournemouth is justifiably famous for its public gardens. The 17.5 hectares Upper, Central and Lower Gardens were laid in the middle of the 19th century and form a continuous green corridor that runs through central Bournemouth, connecting the town centre to the seafront. The Grade II listed gardens feature well-maintained lawns, formal flowerbeds, a meandering stream, and mature trees that provide shade and tranquillity. The Lower Gardens contain an aviary housing various bird species, whilst a traditional bandstand hosts regular performances during the warmer months. The gardens serve as popular venues for walking, relaxation, and various events throughout the year, offering a peaceful respite from the bustling seafront activities.
Compton Acres
Compton Acres combines 12 styles of gardens, from Japanese to Italian, Roman or alpine, and is certainly one of the finest of its kind in the region. Other interesting gardens include the Alum Chine including Argyll Gardens, Knyveton Gardens and Seafield Gardens.
Adventure and Mini Golf
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf provides an 18-hole pirate-themed course situated adjacent to Bournemouth Beach, featuring elaborate decorations and challenging obstacles suitable for all ages. Mighty Claws Adventure Golf offers a dinosaur-themed alternative, complete with prehistoric creatures and themed landscaping that creates an immersive experience for families and groups. Both courses combine entertainment with the seaside setting, making them popular choices for visitors seeking active leisure activities.
Bournemouth Big Wheel
The 33-metre observation wheel, located near the Pier Approach, offers elevated views of the coastline and town centre from enclosed gondolas. The wheel provides a unique perspective of Bournemouth's layout, allowing visitors to appreciate the relationship between the town's urban areas, gardens, and extensive seafront. Operating throughout most of the year, it serves as both an attraction and a useful orientation point for first-time visitors to understand the town's geography.
Bournemouth Oceanarium
This seafront aquarium houses diverse marine species including sharks, sea turtles, and tropical fish in carefully designed habitats. The facility features interactive exhibits and educational presentations that provide insight into marine conservation and ocean ecosystems. The walkthrough tunnel offers visitors an immersive underwater experience, whilst touch pools allow direct interaction with certain species under supervised conditions.
Theatres and Events Venues
The Pavilion Theatre, situated by the Lower Gardens, presents a year-round programme of plays, concerts, and variety performances in a traditional theatre setting. The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) serves as the town's major events venue, hosting large-scale concerts, comedy shows, exhibitions, and conferences throughout the year. Both venues contribute significantly to Bournemouth's cultural offerings and provide entertainment options regardless of weather conditions.
Outdoor Activities and Transport
The coastline provides excellent facilities for watersports including surfing, paddle-boarding, kayaking, sailing, jet-skiing, and power-boating, with equipment hire and instruction available from various operators. Designated coastal paths accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists, offering scenic routes along the beaches and clifftops. The seafront land train connects Bournemouth Pier with Alum Chine and Boscombe Pier, providing convenient transport whilst offering coastal views during the journey.
Seasonal Events and Additional Attractions
Beach lodges offer unique overnight accommodation directly on the seafront, providing an unusual lodging experience with immediate beach access. City Sightseeing operates hop-on hop-off bus tours using open-top vehicles that cover the town and surrounding areas, offering commentary and flexible sightseeing options. The nearby Sandbanks Peninsula, accessible to the west of Bournemouth, features upmarket properties, pristine beaches, and additional watersports facilities. The town hosts significant seasonal events including the Bournemouth Air Festival in late summer and the Arts by the Sea Festival, though visitors should verify specific dates and schedules in advance of their visit.
Top Museums
In Bournemouth
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery has an eclectic collection of 19th century paintings and sculptures as well as samurai armours and katanas.
Bournemouth Natural Science Society
Housed in a charming Victorian building, this museum appeals to those with a passion for natural history and antiquity, showcasing fascinating collections of fossils, minerals, and Egyptian artefacts.
Bournemouth Aviation Museum
For a more hands-on experience, the Bournemouth Aviation Museum is a must-visit, allowing aviation enthusiasts to climb into the cockpits of historic aircraft, including the legendary Spitfire, for a truly immersive feel.
Science Zone UK
Science Zone UK offers a similar interactive approach, particularly for younger visitors, bringing science to life with its discovery zones and planetarium designed to spark curiosity.
In the Surrounding Area
Venturing slightly further afield reveals even more treasures.
Museum of East Dorset
In nearby Wimborne, this museum presents a comprehensive look at the region's past through galleries covering everything from archaeology to costume, all complemented by a serene walled garden.
Wimborne Model Town & Gardens
The same town also hosts the delightful Wimborne Model Town & Gardens, a 1/10th scale recreation of the town as it was in the 1950s, offering a nostalgic experience for all ages.
Poole Museum
Along the coast, the Poole Museum, set within a converted warehouse on the historic quayside, vividly recounts 2,000 years of the town's maritime history.
Red House Museum and Gardens
In Christchurch, the Red House Museum and Gardens occupies a former Georgian workhouse, now serving as a cultural hub with art exhibitions and tranquil gardens.
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
For motoring aficionados, the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum provides a world-class collection of exotic and racing motorcycles, creating a specialist haven that appeals to enthusiasts and families alike.
Local Cuisine
As you might expect, seafood is a highlight, with local restaurants serving the freshest catch of the day, from succulent haddock casserole to freshly shucked oysters. Beyond the coast, the region boasts several unique specialities. Be sure to try a slice of the famous Dorset apple cake, a moist, scone-like cake often served warm. For something savoury, look out for Dorset Blue Vinney, a proud local cheese with a strong, crumbly texture that pairs perfectly with Dorset knobs, a type of hard, savoury biscuit. For a true taste of rustic country cooking, the Dorset lamb crumble offers a comforting and flavourful meal.
Getting There & Around
By train, direct services run regularly from London Waterloo to Bournemouth station, taking approximately two hours, whilst connections are available from major cities including Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh via London or Southampton.
By coach, National Express operates comfortable services from London Victoria Coach Station and other major UK cities, providing an economical alternative with journey times typically longer than rail travel.
By car, Bournemouth is well-connected via the A338 from the M27 motorway, which links to the M3 from London and the M25 orbital, whilst the scenic A35 provides access from the west through Dorset and Devon, offering lovely countryside views along the way.