Strolling down the seven miles of sandy beaches and looking across the water to the Isle of Wight, it is easy to see why Bournemouth, on the south coast of England, has been a popular seaside resort for almost 200 years. While you are at the beach, you can walk to the end of Boscombe Pier to watch the surfers and the boats on the water, or choose Bournemouth Pier with its zip wire and many other attractions.

As an alternative to the beach, Bournemouth Lower Gardens is a great place to have a picnic, enjoy the colourful flowers, play a round of miniature golf, or listen to music at the bandstand. For a sweeping panoramic view of the town, take a trip on the town’s observation wheel, which reaches 100 feet into the air. The pedestrianised town centre features a host of shops, including 19th-century Victorian shopping arcades, mouthwatering restaurants, and a buzzing nightlife.

Bournemouth comes to life in the late spring and summer, with visitors coming from far and wide to take advantage of the award-winning beaches in the town. This is when the sun is at its warmest, providing long summer days for lazing on the beach or taking a dip in the refreshing waters. On Friday evenings in the high season, the fireworks displays light up the sky with a blaze of colour. If you want to avoid the busiest periods, you can come to a Bournemouth cottage in the spring when temperatures are cooler and when the Victorian Gardens burst into colour. Although the winter months can be cold and dark, you can warm yourself up at the dazzling Christmas Tree Wonderland. This takes place from the middle of November to the beginning of January, and features Christmas trees, illuminations, an ice rink, and stalls where you can buy Christmas treats and mulled wine.

West Cliff Lift

Take a historic mode of transport to reach the cliff tops in Bournemouth, with views down the coastline of the county of Dorset. It is a type of light railway that dates back to 1908, taking you up the cliff face while you look down on the beach. This is also a way for you to access Bournemouth International Centre, which is a venue for conferences, exhibitions, and entertainment.

Westbourne

A 15-minute walk from Bournemouth will take you to the coastal village of Westbourne. The eye-catching shopping arcade is where you can browse the independent stores before having an al fresco lunch. The village also features tropical gardens, the Alum Chine beach, and a suspension bridge.

Studland Bay

Take the chain ferry from Sandbanks, about 3.5 miles south of Bournemouth, for the five-minute journey to Studland Bay. The bay boasts four miles of exquisite beaches and will take you to one of the landmarks in the area, Old Harry Rocks — three gleaming chalk formations standing proudly in the sea.