Bournemouth's buzzy beach vibes draw the crowds
With sandy beaches, surfers, and sunshine, Bournemouth brings a little piece of California to the souther coast of England. A Bournemouth vacation rental close to the beach gets your seaside getaway off on the right foot. Famous for its Victorian pier and winter gardens, Bournemouth attracts families and couples, young and old, who come to enjoy all the traditional seaside delights. Catch a theater show, zip-line down the pier, or go nose-to-fin with the fishes in the Oceanarium. After dark, venture out to the beachfront and enjoy a night out in its many trendy bars and restaurants.
Find your zip-a-dee-doo-dah on Bournemouth Pier
At the heart of this seaside city is Bournemouth Pier, a Victorian pleasure pier which stretches 1,000 feet over the sea. In recent years, it has become a hub for adventurous crowds, and has a climbing wall, a high-rope course, and PierZip, the world's first pier-to-shore zipline. Another popular attraction is the Oceanarium, a huge aquarium on the seafront. It's home to hundreds of fish and marine life, and. aside from meeting turtles, rays, and sharks, you can also come face-to-face with sharks and dolphins without getting your toes wet in the world's first virtual interactive dive cage.
Dude, surf's up on Bournemouth's Boscombe Beach
Promising 7 miles of clean, buttery sands, Bournemouth is all about the beach. Bournemouth Central Beaches can get busy with day-trippers in the summer, so many locals favor Boscombe Beach, a leisurely 20-minute stroll east along the coast. Its artificial surf reef attracts hordes of water sports enthusiasts, while the safe waters and clean sands, not to mention ice cream stands, are great for families. Stay on Bournemouth Beach if you're after the more traditional seaside attractions, such as mini-golf and fairground rides. It's also the best place to watch the annual Bournemouth air show each August.
Balmy Bournemouth, the Bahamas of the UK
Bournemouth is famous for having the best weather in the UK. It benefits from a unique microclimate which makes it a few degrees warmer than the rest of the country. The summer sees the best of the weather, with blue skies and sunshine most days. Temperatures regularly reach the mid-80s, although don't be surprised by the odd shower. Bournemouth vacation rentals are at a premium in summer, so it's best to book early, or visit in spring or fall. In winter, you'll often see crisp blue skies and plenty of sunshine, but with a sharp nip in the air, so make sure to pack plenty of layers.
Go head to head on Bournemouth's rugged coastal walks
Perched on the UK's central south coast, Bournemouth is around a 2-hour drive from London. There are dozens of great walks around the Bournemouth area, mostly along the coast and all with sweeping sea views. A local favorite is Hengistbury Head, an ancient monument and nature reserve located 5 miles east of Bournemouth. It's reached by following the Bournemouth Coast Path where you might spot rare birds such as sand martins and the European honey buzzard. On the headland, there's a visitors' center which offers guided walks and trail maps.
Traveling to and around Bournemouth
Fly into Southampton (SOU), the closest airport, located 27.7 mi (44.6 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.), which is 4.5 mi (7.2 km) away.
If you're traveling by train, make your way to Bournemouth Station or Pokesdown for Boscombe Station and explore the city from there.
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