Bournemouth

Bournemouth stretches along seven miles of sandy beaches between Poole Harbour and Christchurch, with Victorian buildings and seafront promenades. The town includes several piers, beach sections with different atmospheres, and parks that reach from the center down to the water.

Lewis Tregonwell established the town in 1810 on empty heathland, turning it from a territory used by smugglers into a growing coastal settlement. The arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century transformed it into a popular seaside resort for visitors from across England.

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performs regular concerts at the Lighthouse venue, while the Arts by the Sea Festival celebrates contemporary performances each autumn. Locals gather in beachfront cafés and the public gardens that link the town center to the shore.

The town center links to the beach through public gardens, with a small train running along the seafront between Bournemouth Pier and Boscombe. Most beach sections are accessible by ramps and steps, and some have lifts.

Small streams called chines cut through the cliffs to the beach, creating natural valleys that now hold gardens and walking paths. Some of these ravines shelter rare plant species not found elsewhere in the region.

Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inception: 1810

Founders: Lewis Tregonwell

Website: http://bournemouth.gov.uk

GPS coordinates: 50.72000,-1.88000

Latest update: December 3, 2025 07:30