Bournemouth Travel Guide
As one of the seaside hotspots in the UK, Bournemouth attracts hoards of visitors every year, and with the help of <a href="http://www.superbreak.com/short_breaks/weekend_breaks_in_bournemouth.htm">our guide to Bournemouth</a> your trip can be one to remember. With seven miles of golden sands and sparkling sea, the vibrant cosmopolitan town of <a href="http://www.superbreak.com/bournemouth-hotels-BO2.htm">Bournemouth has it all </a>- a vast variety of shops, restaurants and hotels, a buzzing nightlife and endless countryside with beautiful award winning gardens and water sports galore. A true British seaside resort with everything you need to create the perfect coastal short break, Bournemouth is a must visit.<br /><br />Whatever the weather, the large choice of attractions and places of interest in Bournemouth means there&rsquos always something exciting to do. From cycling around the promenade to indulging in some culture at the Russell-CotesArt Gallery and Museum, however you wish to spend your day there&rsquoll be something to keep you busy. With over 250 restaurants you&rsquoll need our Bournemouth guide to help you narrow it down, and with so much choice there&rsquos plenty to please everyone, even something to tempt even the most discerning connoisseur. Fresh local seafood and of course, a great big portion of fish & chips are the specialty here, but there are plenty of international restaurants to suit all tastes. A multitude of nightclubs, pubs and cocktail bars wait for those who like a good night out, and with the stunning coast on your doorstep escaping the crowds is easy too. Located on the south coast of England, Bournemouth boasts excellent transport links throughout the country. With good train links, road connections and an airport it&rsquos easy to get to no matter where you are travelling from. Most road journeys will be taken via the M27 passing through the New Forest. It is strongly advised to either get there very early or even arrive the evening beforehand otherwise you will be sitting in traffic for a considerable length of time on the A31. There are frequent trains running from London, Manchester and Birmingham.Thanks to its compact town centre, Bournemouth is easy to navigate. Whether it&rsquos walking around on foot along the stunning promenades and beaches, or hiring a bike for a picturesque ride through the country, travelling around Bournemouth is a treat. With superb bus services and reasonable taxi fares, public transport isn&rsquot the hassle it is in some cities. Make the most of what&rsquos available and see as much of this beautiful destination as you can.Bournemouth offers the shopper a fabulous day out full of great options for some retail therapy. Most of the town centre is pedestrianised with shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, so why no dip into the Avenue Shopping Centre to check out the latest in music, games, perfume and fashion, or venture into the old town centre, set against award winning gardens? Westbourne is an elegant district of Bournemouth located on the way to Poole and known affectionately as &ldquoThe Village&rdquo. Offering a mix of design specialists, beauty stores and delicious delis and restaurants. Boscombe is another area of Bournemouth that should be explored for the quirky gift or bargain.As one of the UK&rsquos most beautiful seaside destinations, you&rsquod expect the seafood to be of the highest quality &ndash It doesn&rsquot disappoint. Fresh from the coastlines of Britain, crab, mussels and a whole host of fish is available daily. Alongside the delicious catch of the day is a great range of local restaurants, well-loved chain eateries and tasty take-out food to enjoy as you stroll the promenades. With over 250 restaurants covering all corners of gastronomic tastes, there&rsquoll be something to keep even the pickiest of eaters happy.As a seaside destination you may be mistaken in thinking nightlife in Bournemouth is nothing special, but with such a rich vein of culture and entertainment galore, there&rsquos always something to be doing. From concerts in the International Centre, to national Theatre shows in The Pavilion, there&rsquos something for all tastes. If you don&rsquot fancy sitting down all night, why not take in the beautiful scenery as it glows in the lights. Stroll along the promenade or go for a romantic walk on the beach. Whatever you do in Bournemouth, it&rsquoll be special.There&rsquos a huge selection of bars, pubs and clubs in Bournemouth that make it a great destination for a night out regardless of your tastes. From live music venues to traditional real-ale pubs, dance-mad nightclubs to classy cocktail bars, there&rsquos a great choice for you to explore. For something a little more unique, head to Heroes Karaoke Bar for an evening of entertainment and probably a few laughs along the way.As one of the UK&rsquos most popular seaside destinations, Bournemouth&rsquos beaches are an obvious highlight of what it has to offer. However, there is a lot more to the destination than what meets the eye. For the adventurous type there&rsquos high wire assault courses and mountainous ski slopes to manoeuvre. For the animal lovers there&rsquos a whole park dedicated to the care of chimpanzees, and for those wishing to enjoy the scenery there are a whole host of options just waiting for you to discover. Set on England&rsquos south coast Bournemouth has excellent transport links throughout the country. With good train links, road connections and an airport it&rsquos easy to get to no matter where you are travelling from.Bournemouth has great train links throughout the UK, with several train providers offering services to the town. It is just an hour and a half from London and is superbly located for exploring Dorset and the South West.Centrally located on the Dorset coast, Bournemouth is at the heart of a network of roads. With motorway access from the M3, and a host of A roads, including the A31 and A35, travelling to Bournemouth by road is simple.Bournemouth Airport and Southampton Airport both provide excellent links to the town. With over 30 destinations internationally via Bournemouth Airport and 50 domestic & international destinations through Southampton Airport.<span>Bournemouth operates a great bus service offering easy access throughout the area plus with a Night Bus service running on Friday and Saturday through until 5am it&rsquos the perfect way to get about.</span> <span>There are plenty of beautiful cycle routes to enjoy in Bournemouth. From the beach promenade to the New Forest and the Poole Heritage Cycle Route there are plenty of reasons to get on your bike.</span> <span>Bournemouth&rsquos compact town centre is easy to navigate. From the beautiful beaches to the Victorian Gardens there is plenty to explore. With superb bus services and picturesque bike paths getting out and about couldn&rsquot be easier.</span> <span>From airport transfers to local taxi journeys, Bournemouth has a great selection of taxi firms to keep you on the move. To avoid un-reliable services check with your hotel in Bournemouth for their preferred service or have them book you a taxi.</span> Hit the International Centre for a great showDo the Pier to Pier walk and enjoy the gorgeous coastTake an evening stroll along the promenadeExplore the tropical gardens at Alum ChineHave a laugh at Funnybone Comedy ClubBe brave and try some exciting watersportsBournemouth operates a great bus service offering easy access throughout the area plus with a Night Bus service running on Friday and Saturday through until 5am it&rsquos the perfect way to get about. The two bus companies that operate in Bournemouth are run by Yellow Buses and Wilts and Dorset. Most of their services are every half an hour and serve Christchurch, Wimborne and Poole.Bournemouth is easily accessible by car, however why not c
onsider leaving the car at home and making the most of Bournemouth's fantastic transport links? If you do decide to travel by car to the South Coast's premier resort make sure you plan your journey ahead of time and look into visiting the surrounding areas like the New Forest, Stonehenge and Salisbury. All of these places can also be visited by local tours, bus and coach services. Bournemouth is at the heart of a network of roads with motorway access from the M3, and a host of A roads, including the A31 and A35Bournemouth is well served by the rail network with two railway stations in the Borough – the main Bournemouth station and Pokesdown to the East. Crosscountry trains provide an excellent train service to and from various locations around the UK. Many train operators provide a comprehensive service to London Waterloo with a journey time of as little as 97 minutes. Other train lines serve destinations to the North with direct trains to Reading, Oxford, Birmingham & the Midlands, Manchester and the Northwest, Yorkshire (Sheffield, Leeds, York), Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland. Bournemouth is accessible from all parts of the UK by train – check your local station for the best route to take.From airport transfers to local taxi journeys, Bournemouth has a great selection of taxi firms to keep you on the move. To avoid un-reliable services check with your hotel in Bournemouth for their preferred service or have them book you a taxi. Taxi services in Bournemouth are cheap for short journeys, with an initial charge of approximately £2. It is best to call for a cab, or queue at a rank near Holdenhurst for the best fare.From scenic flats to strenuous hill rides, Bournemouth and the Dorset area is a magnet for cyclists. There are also several bike hire options if you haven&rsquot got your own, making life easy. Bike hire and cycling is great for groups and can easily be catered for if organised in advance. There are plenty of beautiful cycle routes to enjoy in Bournemouth. From the beach promenade to the New Forest and the Poole Heritage Cycle Route there are plenty of reasons to get on your bike.Bournemouth Airport is a key national and international gateway to Southern England, annually serving around 600,000 passengers and 36 destinations. Bournemouth Airport and Southampton Airport both provide excellent links to the town and surrounding areas, and following a recent £45m makeover, the customer experience is of a high quality.Top 5 Specialist Shops in Bournemouth Top 5 Best Shops in Bournemouth Top 5 Treat Yourself RestaurantsTop 5 Family Restaurants 65 acres of sanctuary for over 150 chimpanzees, Monkey World is a brilliant experience for the whole family.Breaking the mould, this cool and urban restaurant encapsulates the authenticity of Thai cuisine with a unique twist.Enjoy the fun and laughter that echoes around the Funnybone comedy club, a great way to end an evening. A lively bar and club with great food and even some art exhibitions to boot. Very popular with locals and visitors alike.Enjoy the recycled and unique arts on show or even commission your own piece. From seaside pottery to colourful jewellery, there&rsquos lots to explore here.Boasting what is claimed to be the best ice cream in England, Giggi Gelateria draws in thousands of visitors every year.The Green Room&rsquos ethos is of sustainability, finesse and passion. Using the freshest produce sourced from a 50 mile radius.A firm favourite with locals and visitors alike, the Bournemouth Pizza Co have perfected the crispy base and offer strong, simple food for the whole family.The Crab at Bournemouth is Dorset&rsquos finest AA rated two rosette seafood restaurant. Just moments from the pier, you won&rsquot find seafood any fresher.An excellent place to catch a gig, this Grade-II listed building regularly hosts big stars from the indie music scene.A fun night out, this cabaret bar is famed for its flamboyant drag performances and a great place to grab a cocktail.With a huge host of brands available throughout the department store, there&rsquos lots to keep everyone buy. In the centre of town it&rsquos easy to reach too.An unusual vintage boutique, offering both men's and women's fashions, accessories and homeware, What Alice Found is a real treasure trove.Continuing the monkey theme, why not climb high up into the trees and test your nerve across the forest high wires.Whether you&rsquore an experienced skier or a complete novice, the Snowtrax centre gives you a taste of the action at whatever speed you want.Langtry's is the only fine dining establishment located within a royal manor previously owned and occupied by King Edward VII and his mistress Lillie Langtry.From world class bands to local performance groups, the International Centre is a great place for talent.Bournemouth&rsquos favourite live sports bar, Walkabout plays all of the big games and offers food and drink all day.A wonderful mix of fashion boutiques and quirky gift stores, book shops and toy shops, this is the perfect retail destination for those bored of the high street chains.Bournemouth&rsquos leading running and fitness shop, Up & Running can offer shoppers and informal but informative insight into what&rsquos the best route for them.Voted &lsquoBritain&rsquos Best Fish & Chip Shop&rsquo, diners can look forward to generous cuts of succulent fish coated in Fred's delicious top secret recipe batter.It doesn't look like much, but this superb Italian trattoria is incredibly popular, inspiring locals and visitors alike to return time and time again.The Terrace offers stunning views across the LowerGardens towards the bay. From the outdoor terrace seating area or behind the glass fronted exterior, enjoy a selection of local dishes and quality wines.Take the whole family for a round of laser quest and see who&rsquos got the best aim. Fun for all ages.The oceanarium brings you face to face with creatures of our own waters and from around the world.With an uber cool interior and unique style, Flirt is the hottest place to be when in BournemouthShowcasing some of the best vintage fashion, art, crafts and collectibles from local businesses in and around Bournemouth, this great market is held under two marquees at The Crescent, Boscombe.With an amazing ray of costumes and fancy-dress, Hollywood is the perfect place for some fun and laughter on your stay.The dishes created here use only pure and natural ingredients. Highly popular with vegetarians and free from all artificial preservatives.A popular seafood grill offering award winning cuisine in a breathtaking cliff top location. With the freshest seafood and most succulent steaks, boasting panoramic sea views across the bay, the Highcliff Grill provides the perfect ambience for relaxed dining.Enjoy a great range of the latest big budget hits, along with some delicious sugary popcorn.Offering spectacular views and ideal picnic areas, BrownseaIsland is a perfect family day out.Winners of the 2008 BEST BAR NONE award for Bournemouth, Bar So offers a contemporary feel with its dual level design and extensive terraced areas.The largest shopping park in the UK with many of the biggest stores in the region. It&rsquos home to dozens of large High Street brands as well as restaurants and cafes.As one of the most successful British family brands Russell & Bromley and heralded as a leading force in luxury footwear and handbags.As well as being used as an exhibition centre, local theatre groups and well known actors all join together here for some truly inspirational performances.From feeding the piglets to meeting a whole host of animals, this wonderful farm is a great experience for young children.This popular themed bar will take you to Hawaii for the night – with fruity cocktails and fun events most nights of the week, Bournemouth's bright young things come to party here.As well as its beautiful ten acres of gardens, there are exciting shopping opportunities, restaurants, a delicatessen and regular events.A vib
rant fusion of great food, drinks and atmosphere on the seafront, Aruba boasts the most elegant atmosphere around.Take a stroll, take in the sea air and get as many photos as you can of this beautiful coastline.Fancy trying something new? Get yourself to the Pavilion Dance studio and learn something completely different. You only live once.It's great fun and even if you're not the next Christina Aguilera the fully stocked bar and comfortable seating make it a great place to visit.This giant, helium filled balloon lifts visitors 500 feet up into the air for a spectacular look at Bournemouth.The best way to see just how beautiful the area is, especially with a sunset and candlelit champagne tour.The place to be sports enthusiasts. With ten plasma screens and three extra large screens, you can be anywhere in the bar and never miss a second.With fantastic rides, slides and pools this attraction is definitely one of the most fun around.If you're a would-be Pirate, an intrepid Explorer, a Mad Hatter or just a plain old fashioned Fun Lover, then you and your family have got a real treat in store at Adventure Wonderland.The best thing about Bournemouth is the seafood. Visit the huge variety of restaurants available and sample the most amazing tastes you&rsquoll find in Britain.Together with an unbeatable party atmosphere, Bar Me has awesome resident DJs throughout the week and their very own photographers.<span>The Norfolk Hotel is a beautiful Edwardian building in the heart of Bournemouth. Just a short walk from Bournemouth&rsquos picturesque gardens and award winning beaches the hotel provides a luxurious haven. Blending an elegant exterior with stylish rooms and friendly service the Norfolk Hotel is an ideal base for your break.</span>Whether it&rsquos the vibrant street markets of Boscome or the thriving high street in Bournemouth there are plenty of familiar and independent shops to choose from.Catch a live performance at Bournemouth’s iconic bandstandFrom the freshest fish to cosy Italians, family favourites and romantic gems there is something to please all culinary tastes.Come along and satisfy your inner foodie at this lively Bournemouth festWith the Bournemouth International Centre, Pavilion and Pier theatre there is plenty of live music, West End shows and comedians to keep you entertained.Support the brave as they endure an open water swim in the English ChannelFrom exotic cocktails and buzzing bars, to real ale and cosy pubs there is something to suit all tastes in Bournemouth&rsquos town centre.Watch in awe as the RAF, Royal Navy and Royal Marines put on spectacular displaysGet into the Christmas spirit with this very festive event in BournemouthBournemouth Guide – A City Guide to Bournemouth – SuperbreakBrowse our Bournemouth Guide and make the most out of your break. You'll find tips and inspiration on the best attractions, events, restaurants and hotels in Bournemouth.
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