Bournemouth

Holiday Destinations / Europe / United Kingdom / Travel Guide / England /

Bournemouth has all the character and magic of a classic British seaside resort, from the flashy lights of the old-school amusements to the vinegary scent of fish and chips lingering in the air.  There’s lots to do when the sun is shining: unwind in tropical Alum Chine Gardens with its Treasure Island themed play area, get the adrenaline pumping on an exhilarating Jetski Safari tour or work off all the ice-cream with a scenic stroll to the top of Hengistbury Head.

Don’t miss the eccentric Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, the former home of Victorian travellers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and Lady Annie. Alternatively, try out the UK’s first 6D cinema – more like a rollercoaster, really.

Bournemouth is a great starting point for a tour of the Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site of hidden bays and crumbling cliffs.

By train, the journey to Bournemouth from London takes around 1 hour 50 minutes.

The Jurassic Coast

The fascinating rock formations and fossils of the Jurassic Coast chart 185 million years of the Earth’s history. Enjoy the coastal walks and cliff-top views of a natural World Heritage Site, and soak up some salty sea air at the same time.

The South West Coast path runs its entire length of 95 miles (152km), and you’ll find some truly spectacular walking here. Feel free to set up camp or have a coastal picnic, you might want to pitch your tent near Durdle Door, one of the most iconic sites of the Jurassic Coast.

One of the most popular activities is fossil hunting, head to the beaches between Charmouth and Lyme Regis for your best chances of finding some! There are numerous cruises available to take at the Jurassic Coast but if you’re feeling really adventurous you can try coasteering.

For those of you who travel with man’s best friend, some of the beaches are pet-friendly.

Jurassic Coast is about 2 and a half hours away from London.