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Bournemouth
Bournemouth is located on the South Coast of England, next to Poole and Christchurch, and about 30 minutes drive from Southampton. It has become a very popular tourist destination in the summer due to the warm, sunny climate and long, sandy beaches that stretch from Christchurch in the East to the head of Sandbanks in the West. As such it is full of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation of all levels, from luxury hotels like the Menzies Carlton Hotel and Bay View Court Hotel to the local hostel.
Bournemouth beach is long. An unbroken stretch of yellow sand all the way from Boscombe, past various little chines, like Durley Chine, and Canford Cliffs, to the chain ferry at Sandbanks that crosses Poole Harbour. In the summer months it is full of people soaking up the sun and enjoying whatever the beach can offer.
Bournemouth is not only popular because of the beaches, the town is packed with shopping and a large number of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas cater for evening entertainment. The Pleasure Gardens stretch from just behind the Pier and proceed along the River Bourne through the town Centre and beyond. They provide a pedestrian through fare with easy access to the shopping areas, the Pavilion Theatre, crazy golf and a balloon on a wire which provides a panoramic view of the town. Near the Pier is an Aquarium and amusement arcades.
Bournemouth is also home to the Bournemouth International Centre (also called the BIC) and the internationally renowned Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The local Bournemouth International Airport is nearby offering flights within the UK and to other European destinations like Mallorca. Many of the places mentioned above feature in this virtual tour of Bournemouth.
The town has become a very popular retirement area, as well as being popular with foreign students learning English at one of the numerous language schools. In recent year the local college became Bournemouth University and the conurbation, along with Poole and Christchurch, has expanded fairly quickly into the surrounding areas.
Near to Bournemouth - along the coast
For those who are looking for more than a long sandy beach with shopping attached, there are a great many number of fascinating places to visit.
Christchurch and Poole are worth a visit in their own right, each having a distinct local character and feel. Christchurch Priory is a famous church and nearby is Hengitsbury Head, a land spit with an impressive view of the surrounding area including the Isle of Wight on a clear day.
To the West is the port of Poole, famous for it's large natural harbour and Poole Pottery, Poole Park and Compton Acres among other things. One can travel round the bay passing through lovely towns like Wareham (which used to be a port in times past before the estuary silted up). Further round are the ruins of Corfe Castle, the only castle to be successfully defended through 2 sieges in the 17th Century by a woman, Lady Bankes, the wife of Royalist Sir John Bankes, while the latter was fighting for the king. She was eventually betrayed by one of her own leading to the capture of the castle by the Round Head armies of Cromwell. Parliament then decreed that the castle should be destroyed so as to no longer pose a threat. The remains stand on a hillock in a strategic gap in the Purbeck Range
Poole Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world, and provides passenger and freight transport to France. In the middle is Brownsea Island nature reserve, famous for red squirrels and the origins of Scouting. It is well worth a visit, access by boat from near the Poole Harbour ferry and Poole Quay. Other tiny islands are also scattered around the harbour, which is home to a large flotilla of both working and pleasure boats of all types in a number of marinas.
A chain ferry across the mouth of Poole Harbour links Sandbanks to Studland and Shell Bay. Studland Bay has yet more beaches in a Nature Reserve, being flanked by the mouth of Poole Harbour at one end and Old Harry Rocks at the other. Studland is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, part of the Purbeck Heritage Coast, and a gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The site is the only place in Britain in which all seven native reptile species may be found and is owned by the National Trust. A little further along the coast is the seaside town of Swanage, well known for the steam train, diving and the long sandy Swanage Beach.
Near to Bournemouth - inland
Nearby inland is the New Forrest, full of great woodland walks and activities including horse riding, cycling and camping. The area contains a number of picturesque villages and traditional pubs, often serving local produce. In the area is also The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, home to over 250 vehicles from some of the earliest examples of motoring to legendary World Record Breakers like Bluebird and Golden Arrow. In the same area are the Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.
Also found inland are Maiden Castle and Bradbury Rings. Further afield to the East is Southampton and Portsmouth, home to the remains of the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, the Iron Warrior – one of the first iron clad war ships built.
