Bournemouth Travel Guide

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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As winter turns into something that looks and feels a bit more like spring, which in turn morphs into something summery, people naturally start thinking about the holidays. But while most people are going to be pondering over which European destination to hit, it could be good to consider some of our home-grown resorts as well.

You don''t have to visit Spain in order to find a decent beach holiday, however. Some of what southern England can offer will be just as good as the more popular destinations. The town of Bournemouth in Dorset, for instance, can offer a visitor not only fantastic beaches, but a fun place to spend time in as well.

Like Brighton, Bournemouth beach is sandy, which is great compared to the more pebbly sea resorts of the Isle of Wight, for example. So not only is the water comparably warm by British standards, but the beach is hospitable and perfect for sunbathing, playing games, or good old-fashioned sandcastle building.

The beach isn''t the town''s only attraction, however, and the Victorian-era Pleasure Gardens are definitely not to be missed. Situated on the bank of the town''s Bourne ...
... river, this is a beautiful network of winding paths and woody avenues, a lush and peaceful site for taking a stroll through.

While most of us are happy to view the world from ground level, some people prefer to get a bit of a higher perspective on everything, and if you''re one of them, then the Bournemouth Eye is perfect for you. You are lifted 500 feet into the air in a helium-filled balloon, giving you a completely new view of the surroundings.

Alternatively, if you''re interested in literature, you might like to know that Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollstonecraft, authors of ''Frankenstein'' and ''A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'' respectively, lived and wrote for the most part in Bournemouth. More recently, Tolkien himself used to holiday in the town regularly for thirty years.

The Miramar is still very much active, offering a phenomenal view of the Channel which even takes in the Needles, the immense chalk geographical structures on the furthermost western coast of the Isle of Wight. If however you''d rather stay somewhere even more fancy and close to the sea, look into the Sandbanks.

First Direct Bank performed a survey in 2007 in order to ascertain where the happiest town in the UK is. With a staggering 82% of its population expressing contentment at their way of life, Bournemouth came out on top. But don''t trust a statistic when it comes to finding out how nice a place is; why not try it out for yourself? Bonny Kominek is an experienced writer who has travelled extensively through out the UK and recommends Octopustravel.com for Bournemouth hotels.