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Bournemouth - A gem on the South Coast

Set on Britain's sunny South Coast and boasting no less than seven miles of soft, golden, sandy beach, Bournemouth has always been seen as a great place to retire. As such, it still retains an elegant atmosphere and relaxed pace of life. Recently, the city has experienced a bit of a renaissance. The rebirth of the Great British seaside and large-scale investment by big corporations has attracted a younger generation and Bournemouth is fast becoming one of Britain's most vibrant and dynamic seaside towns. Nostalgic touches, such as the illustrious pier, combine effortlessly with the town's more modern facilities. Offering great shopping, pulsating nightlife, exquisite gardens and cutting edge restaurants, it's easy to see why more and more people are visiting Bournemouth.

Shopping and sightseeing

Bournemouth Town Centre & Gardens
If window-shopping in a more leisurely and traditional setting is more your thing, Bournemouth's attractive town centre is the place to be. Small, individual boutiques and cafes nestle comfortably alongside well-established department stores and the pedestrianised shopping zone makes it easy to hop from shop to shop. Stretching from the outskirts of the town, Bournemouth Gardens spill down through the town centre to the beachfront. Flowerbeds overflow with colourful English blooms and neatly laid out emerald lawns are ideal if you just want to stretch out in the sunshine.

Chines
Get back to nature and enjoy an invigorating walk or a leisurely bike ride through Bournemouth's famous Chines - deep, narrow ravines swathed in pine-scented woodlands that lead gently down to the sea. Make the most of the stunning scenery and take a wicker picnic hamper with you to enjoy a traditional English feast of cucumber sandwiches, real lemonade and scones.

Christchurch
For a slice of quintessential England, head to the Medieval town of Christchurch. Nestled between Bournemouth and the New Forest, Christchurch's roots stretch back in history as far as the Iron Age. Today, a Norman house, an 11th-century castle keep, a ducking stool and an old mill offer reminders of Christchurch's colourful past.

Sun, Sand and Sea

Bournemouth Beach
'Oh I do like to be beside the seaside. Oh I do like to be beside the sea.' So goes the famous British song...and it won't be long before you're singing the praises of the South Coast too! Whether you want to sink your toes into soft, golden sand, take a refreshing dip in the sea, treat yourself to some good old-fashioned fish'n'chips, take a stroll along the pier or simply laze the day away in a traditional striped deckchair, Bournemouth's famous coastline is sure to entice you. Boasting over seven miles of fine, sandy beach, you're guaranteed to find a spot all of your own so you can stretch out in style and snooze away an afternoon listening to the call of seagulls as they sail through the skies on warm air currents.

Sandbanks & Swanage
Explore some of the South Coast's other leading beaches. Sandbanks is considered by many to be one of the best beaches in Britain. For the past twelve years it has held a Blue Flag, testament to its cleanliness and safety. Made up of fine, golden sand, Sandbanks gently shelves into the clean waters and so is a firm favourite for families with children. There are plenty of watersports here to keep you entertained including windsurfing and sailing. A short ferry ride from Sandbanks takes you to another of the South Coast's gems, Swanage. Like its neighbour, Swanage beach is the proud winner of a prestigious Blue Flag award and has mile upon mile of golden sands.

Hengistbury Head
If you're looking to get away from it all, take a relaxing stroll up to Bournemouth's famous cliff, Hengistbury Head. Crowning the promontory are the remains of an Iron Age fort, complete with earthwork defences. At the end of Hengistbury Head you'll find a quiet and secluded beach with attractive beach huts.