Bournemouth in Dorset is a great spot, one of England's often unknown tourist resorts. Just because it's touristy doesn't mean it's overpacked by holiday makers, in fact this town has a great mix to suit all types of travellers. Having spent 6 years living there it's time to reflect on that all with a personal top 5 things to do in Bournemouth, Dorset, England.
1. The beach in Bournemouth
No visit to Bournemouth is complete without a trip to one of the many beaches which lend the town to the English Channel. If you're looking for a beach to relax then Bournemouth has it - if you want to party on a beach then Bournemouth also has it! It's just a top place to check out the southern England coastline. The beaches have won awards because they are so well kept and they are busy and lively in the summer. That's not to say you can't find a quiet spot to basque in the English sun.
2. Bournemouth Pub Crawl
I love pub crawls and I love my quirky bars, promotions and everything that goes with the madness of nights out drinking. In Bournemouth you will find an endless amount of bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants all meeting your required taste. The names of bars and pubs may change a lot and have done since I left there, but my favourites were the Dolphin (Springbourne), The Moon in the Square, The Goat and Tricycle and in the past Jumpin Jaks. These days Bournemouth attracts a lot of stag and hen nights and weekends especially in the summer and the party atmosphere and vibe at night is unrivalled in England.
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.
Watching AFC Bournemouth is also a lot more affordable and authentic than watching the Premier League teams.
Getting to Bournemouth
From London you can get a bus or a train easily. They are regular and affordable and only take 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
No visit to Bournemouth is complete without a trip to one of the many beaches which lend the town to the English Channel. If you're looking for a beach to relax then Bournemouth has it - if you want to party on a beach then Bournemouth also has it! It's just a top place to check out the southern England coastline. The beaches have won awards because they are so well kept and they are busy and lively in the summer. That's not to say you can't find a quiet spot to basque in the English sun.
2. Bournemouth Pub Crawl
I love pub crawls and I love my quirky bars, promotions and everything that goes with the madness of nights out drinking. In Bournemouth you will find an endless amount of bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants all meeting your required taste. The names of bars and pubs may change a lot and have done since I left there, but my favourites were the Dolphin (Springbourne), The Moon in the Square, The Goat and Tricycle and in the past Jumpin Jaks. These days Bournemouth attracts a lot of stag and hen nights and weekends especially in the summer and the party atmosphere and vibe at night is unrivalled in England.
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.
Watching AFC Bournemouth is also a lot more affordable and authentic than watching the Premier League teams.
Getting to Bournemouth
From London you can get a bus or a train easily. They are regular and affordable and only take 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 find a load more of ice cold stories on Northern Irish backpacking head to Jonny Blair's backpacking in Ulster site for relentless information.