Best Things To Do In Bournemouth, England
I'm very well qualified to bring you this post today, as I spent six years living in the English seaside town of Bournemouth. While my time in Bournemouth came to an abrupt but needed end in 2009, my memories of the town and its suburbs will linger forever. Rather than bore anyone out there with personal stuff in Bournemouth, this is MY top 5 things to do in Bournemouth - I hope it provides some decent tips for all visitors to Bournemouth, a town which is embedded into my heart...this post has been coming for about 10 years now so it finally sees the light of day.
1. The beach in Bournemouth
Stating the obvious here, but Bournemouth's award winning beach is probably the town's most attractive tourist pull. I've worked on it, drank on it, played football on it and done a few other things on it...the beach stretches far and is split into many different "beaches" (West Beach, Southbourne Beach, Boscombe Beach, East Cliff etc.). The busiest part is the bit by Bournemouth Pier. On hot summer days this beach is honestly as good as England gets beachwise. You'd be a fool to spend any time in Bournemouth without even visiting the beach, even if it's just to curb your curiosity and prove the fact that it's a fantastic beach. It's also very well kept.
2. Bournemouth Pub Crawl
Bournemouth is littered with an incredible range of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants! It makes it an absolutely ideal and amazing place for pub crawls. Start on the Christchurch Road and walk your way down to the square visiting as many drinking establishments as you can. The summers are the best time with beer gardens galore and loads of happy people out partying!
3. The Famous Wave Balloon
Everybody in Bournemouth knows what the "Wave Balloon" is and you should head there in the summer for epic views of the south coast of England. Situated in Bournemouth's summer gardens, this is unmissable in summer months as it rears itself into the sky. It's a hot air balloon near the seafront. It's attached by a huge cord and is as safe as it is popular. Expect queues, but expect good views!
4. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery/Museum
A bit of a hidden gem here to be honest, this museum is unique in world terms, something a lot of the locals forget. For its quirkiness, history and "off the beaten track charm" it just had to make my list of top 5 things to do in Bournemouth. Featuring Japanese art and mixing Italian with Scottish architecture in design, this is a top spot. It's down by the beach too.
5. Live Football: AFC Bournemouth
Dean Court stadium which is also known as the Goldstands is home to the local football team AFC Bournemouth. They attract good crowds, especially in the summer months and offer a great value for money standard of football. The Cherries are a great team to watch.
The Cherries are a great family friendly club and the stadium also holds regular events so it's worth checking out while you're in Bournemouth.
Getting to Bournemouth
A bus and train journey from London is the best option. Fast, easy and cheap! You'll be ready to see Bournemouth in a few hours.
But a better fact is that Bournemouth has its own international airport!! Not a lot of people know that, they even had flights to New York at one point, and used to fly to Belfast so check what airports fly into it when you're about to head and you might get a lucky cheap deal.
I've written tons and tons about Bournemouth before and will do again, but don't want to overload or make things cliches, this is more for those of you who haven't been there yet. I'd argue if you only ever visit England once, head to Bournemouth (throw in a day trip to Salisbury or Stonehenge though too!).
1. The beach in Bournemouth
Stating the obvious here, but Bournemouth's award winning beach is probably the town's most attractive tourist pull. I've worked on it, drank on it, played football on it and done a few other things on it...the beach stretches far and is split into many different "beaches" (West Beach, Southbourne Beach, Boscombe Beach, East Cliff etc.). The busiest part is the bit by Bournemouth Pier. On hot summer days this beach is honestly as good as England gets beachwise. You'd be a fool to spend any time in Bournemouth without even visiting the beach, even if it's just to curb your curiosity and prove the fact that it's a fantastic beach. It's also very well kept.
2. Bournemouth Pub Crawl
Bournemouth is littered with an incredible range of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants! It makes it an absolutely ideal and amazing place for pub crawls. Start on the Christchurch Road and walk your way down to the square visiting as many drinking establishments as you can. The summers are the best time with beer gardens galore and loads of happy people out partying!
3. The Famous Wave Balloon
Everybody in Bournemouth knows what the "Wave Balloon" is and you should head there in the summer for epic views of the south coast of England. Situated in Bournemouth's summer gardens, this is unmissable in summer months as it rears itself into the sky. It's a hot air balloon near the seafront. It's attached by a huge cord and is as safe as it is popular. Expect queues, but expect good views!
4. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery/Museum
A bit of a hidden gem here to be honest, this museum is unique in world terms, something a lot of the locals forget. For its quirkiness, history and "off the beaten track charm" it just had to make my list of top 5 things to do in Bournemouth. Featuring Japanese art and mixing Italian with Scottish architecture in design, this is a top spot. It's down by the beach too.
5. Live Football: AFC Bournemouth
Dean Court stadium which is also known as the Goldstands is home to the local football team AFC Bournemouth. They attract good crowds, especially in the summer months and offer a great value for money standard of football. The Cherries are a great team to watch.
The Cherries are a great family friendly club and the stadium also holds regular events so it's worth checking out while you're in Bournemouth.
Getting to Bournemouth
A bus and train journey from London is the best option. Fast, easy and cheap! You'll be ready to see Bournemouth in a few hours.
But a better fact is that Bournemouth has its own international airport!! Not a lot of people know that, they even had flights to New York at one point, and used to fly to Belfast so check what airports fly into it when you're about to head and you might get a lucky cheap deal.
I've written tons and tons about Bournemouth before and will do again, but don't want to overload or make things cliches, this is more for those of you who haven't been there yet. I'd argue if you only ever visit England once, head to Bournemouth (throw in a day trip to Salisbury or Stonehenge though too!).
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To read more stuff like things to do in Bournemouth head to Jonny Blair's global site Travelling Northern Irishman for tons more stories, tips and randomness.