Hotels in Bournemouth

A town in Dorset along the southern coast of England, Bournemouth is a popular seaside resort. The town is beloved by the young and old alike. This city is where visitors will rub shoulders with older people on day trips, and young adults celebrate hen parties or stag dos. Bournemouth caters equally to everyone, offering great beaches and plenty of entertainment, ensuring a lovely British seaside holiday for all.

Bournemouth is a great seaside resort that offers a wide range of holiday accommodation options. This town offers hotels and rooms to suit all types of travel parties and any size budget. You'll find everything from cosy bed-and-breakfast establishments to luxurious seafront hotels and resorts.

Neighbourhoods of Bournemouth

Some of the most popular areas for visitors of this resort town are:

• Town Centre: The town's most significant municipal buildings are between the East Cliff and West Cliff, including the Town Hall and the International Conference Centre. This central area is a hub for shopping, eating and entertainment.
• Southbourne: This is the seaside neighbourhood of Bournemouth. The area offers stunning beaches, a funicular railway and a large water tower. Southbourne Grove Street has many boutique and independent shops.
• Westbourne: It's known for chic shops, specialist boutiques and small cafes. This area is the fashion district and features a Victorian-covered arcade along the main street. The sub-area of Alum Chine is found here, with a deep gorge and suspension bridge that leads directly to the beach.

What to see and do in Bournemouth

Thanks to its many attractions and activities, you enjoy a relaxing or active seaside holiday here. Must-visit places include:

• The Beach: Split into several areas, this golden beach runs for seven sandy miles. A huge promenade practically stretches along the entire length, often crowded by deckchairs and over 200 colourful beach huts. The Blue Flag areas include Durley Chine Beach, Fisherman’s Walk Beach and Southbourne Beach. You can also visit Alum Chine, which also has a Green Flag award.
• The Piers: Bournemouth Pier and Boscombe Pier are the town's two piers. The town's piers offer plenty of indoor and outdoor attractions, including Rock Reef Activity Centre and ziplining at Pier Zip. Boscombe Pier offers outdoor fun, focusing strongly on watersports.
• The Landmarks: For lovers of architecture, the town has a number of Grade I-listed buildings, including three churches: St Clement's, St Stephen’s and St Peter’s. Grade II-listed buildings include the Town Hall and the Art Deco Pavilion Theatre.
• Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum: This rather startling building houses treasures collected by the eponymous husband and wife.
• The Oceanarium: Get up close and admire all kinds of marine life, including above ground and underwater tunnels.
• The Gardens: These gardens split into three zones: the Upper, the Central and the Lower. The Victorian-era attraction is Grade II-listed and features a small river, bandstand, aviary and mini-golf.

What to eat in Bournemouth

The iconic foods of the town represent the cuisine of the broader region of Dorset. Some of the best treats to try include:

• Lettuce Soup: An antique dish, this soup is still found on local café menus.
• Haddock Casserole: This dinner dish comprises locally caught haddock is stewed with tomatoes and mushrooms, then topped with cheese and breadcrumbs.
• Dorset Blue Vinney: The county’s signature cheese is a firm, crumbly and white cheese with blue veins. It's best eaten together with Dorset knobs.
• Dorset Knobs: Is it a roll or a biscuit? Most would say it is a crispy roll-shaped biscuit.
• Dorset Apple Cake: Many recipes and variations of this dessert exist, but the traditional is a scone-type cake filled with apples.

Typical events and festivals in Bournemouth

The town plays host to major conventions throughout the year, but there are also several local community events, like:

• Arts by the Sea: The annual multi-disciplinary cultural event takes place in September/October.
• Bourne Free: This celebration of inclusion and diversity happens every summer.
• Bournemouth Air Festival: A four-day August event featuring aerobatic displays and fly-pasts, including World War II aircraft.
• Christmas in Bournemouth: The centre is highly decorative, and many seasonal events occur throughout the town.

How to move around in Bournemouth

There are several facilities available to help visitors move around in Bournemouth. The West Cliff Railway offers a fast connection between the beach and the town. For visitors staying in this area, the Land Train runs regular stops along the promenade. There is also a hop-on/hop-off open-top tour bus for visitors, and you can also easily move around the town via the local bus service, with routes heading both directions along the coast. Bournemouth links to other cities via several major roads, two railway stations, the National Express coach service and Bournemouth Airport.

The climate in Bournemouth

The weather along the southern coast is nearly the same as the rest of England, but it's a little sunnier and milder. In July and August, the average daily temperature hangs around 22° C. If you're seeking a beachy seaside holiday, then these are the two best months to visit the town. February is the coldest month of the year.