Bournemouth

[dragonfly]

Has anyone been to Bournemouth. We are thinking of going for a few days next month and would like to know the best places to visit.

[Sarahc]

My inlaws are in Bournemouth, well strictly speaking closer to Christchurch. They are a few minutes walk from Hengisbury Head which is a really lovely walk. From Hengisbury Head you can walk all around the inside of Christchurch harbour along to the sandbank of beachhuts with a cafe. There is also a ferry across to Christchurch itself. In the centre of Bournemouth the children like the aquarium but we tend to avoid it in high summer as it gets very busy. If you've got transport its not far up to the New Forest or round to Poole Harbour and even Lulworth Cove.

That's probably a bit garbled but hopefully gives some ideas, Sarah

[dragonfly]

Thanks Sarah I hadn't thought to visit Christchurch so will check it out, it sounds interesting. We normally have our holidays in term time but got it wrong this year. Hope the weather picks up or I might stay at home by the fire.

[Clunkshift]

Bournemouth is over the county border for me but still inside Wessex so I do go there sometimes because I don't need a passport.

The beaches, and there are a lot of them, are sandy and some of the cleanest in the country and all have top blue flag ratings

At the centre is the main beach, pier, Winter Gardens and town centre.
To the East is Christchurch -already mentioned, and to the West are Beaches that are tricky to reach below the cliffs (and almost impossible to park near) until you reach the best beach, which is Sandbanks – at the entrance to Poole Harbour.

The shopping centre is a nice mix of old and new and has one of the best Christian bookshops in the south – Keith Jones Christian Bookshop at 2 Hinton Road.

In the middle of Poole harbour is Brownsea Island, which used to be owned by Lord Baden Powell and used for his scout camps, but is now a nature reserve; mainly because it is one of the few places in the South where red squirrels live.

There are large gardens at Compton Acres in Poole and it is still ok for a visit on wet days as there are several buildings there ( I remember an Italian villa) including a restaurant. The gardens are themed and I recall Italian, Japanese, palms, alpines etc, all in their own areas and each neatly hidden from its neighbour so that it becomes an ever changing scene as you go round.

If OH likes steam trains, you can cross to Swanage by chain ferry at Sandbanks, then take a steam train to Corfe Castle (one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit) and its pretty village (and model village). Alternatively there is a classic car meet every Sunday afternoon (in summer) at the west overcliff promenade

There is a large motorcycle gathering every Tuesday evening on Poole Quay and Poole Pirates Speedway team are usually racing at home on Wednesday evenings.

You can go on a coastal cruise from Bournemouth Pier or Poole Harbour and there are too many cruises to mention but they either go West along the Jurassic coast or East towards the Needles at the Isle of Wight.

There is much more in Bournemouth than I have mentioned and I quite like it.

[Sarahc]

Don't let the weather put you off, the sea is spectacular on a stormy day. The bay is so wide and open in bournemouth you can see right from the Needles of the Isle of wight and right along the coast past poole. There is this massive dark, turbulent sea and swirling mass of clouds above you. Lots of kite surfing down by Hengisbury head which is pretty impressive when the wind is up. Its completely different on a calm day with blue seas and skies and sailing boats tootling past. I'm sure you'll enjoy if you decide to go!

[eleanor2]

you know i have never even thought of bournemouth as an holiday destination.after listening to you all it sounds a really brilliant place.

[dragonfly]

Thank you very much Clunkshift and Sarah. It sounds more interesting than I thought. I have printed your info and will let you know how we get on.

[eleanor2]

yes dragon fly you can send me a good descriptive postcard and i will send you one.

[dragonfly]

Will do Eleanor.

[sunflower]

Only just seen this post. I live in Bournemouth!!! and it really is a lovely place to be. It has a real holiday feel to it even in winter. From Bournemouth, say.......a 30 miles radius, every possible landscape you can imagine is accessable...except for mountains. The New forest with all it's lovely walks, the miles of coast line, some very rugged like Kimmeridge Bay. Lovely towns, like Christchurch with the river, old pubs, and a Noddy train that takes you down to a lovely beach and waterside suitable for rowing and kayaking. Hope you have a great time.

[dinger]

Sounds a great place to go . Can I come Dragonfly. x