OK, so you might not immediately think of Bournemouth as being the hippest location for a weekend trip. But read on, as you are about to be pleasantly surprised. With its seven beaches, a surfer atmosphere, and seaside charm, Bournemouth definitely holds a lot more pull for the 25 and under crowd these days. So if you are thinking of heading down there for a weekend, keep reading for my top tips on how to have the best time.
1. Bar culture
So one thing that you will find in abundance in Bournemouth is cafe-bars. What could be cooler than a few drinks sitting on a balcony overlooking the sea? Or relaxing on squishy sofas to the latest chill-out tunes?
Try places like Urban Reef on The Overstrand. This is a hip, but casual bistro set up with alfresco seating, locally brewed ales, and a wood-fired pizza oven that makes for the most delicious snacks. They have a good menu for all times of the day too, and in particular, it is a great place to grab breakfast to soak up any excesses from the night before. You can even check out her surf webcam by looking on their website.
There is the ultra-modern, and stylish Reef Encounter. Get it?! Oh, humorous restaurant names! There you can enjoy live music, as well as occasional and special events like steak nights. While also sampling the delights of their grill menu, which includes American classics such as ribs and po’boys which have a range of toppings. Yum!
Or why not head down to Exeter Road, and check out 60 Million Postcards. It’s a neo-grunge sort of place that is uber-hip and has many special offers on drink and food alike. You can check out their website here for more details.
2. Quirky but cool
Now no trip the English coastline would be complete without the obligatory walk along the front and pier. Whether the weather is suitable or not! Luckily, Bournemouth is somewhat blessed with sunshine. So you don’t have to worry too much about your fish and chips getting drenched before you eat it. However, do you tire easily of such traditional pleasures? Then you’ll probably want to check on some of the more offbeat activities that are on offer in this area.
First of all, there are some interesting boutique type shops to check out. In particular, Memento Mori, sells a mixture of flea market finds and slightly more macabre offerings. It’s perfect for those of you channelling your inner goth, or just for folks that like vintage, and off-kilter things.
Now if you enjoy Memento Mori you might want to pay a visit to the neighbouring town of Hythe and check out the St. Leonard’s Church Ossuary. This is a basement that contains the remnants of at least 4,000 humans in bone formation. Yes, we are talking skulls, jaws, teeth and the like! While no one knows exactly why they are all there, the expert’s best guess is that there were victims of a plague. Possible the black death, and were dug up and stored in the church for some reason. Anyway, whatever the reason they are there, there are certainly fascinating, if a little ghoulish!
3. Great Digs
Now an essential part of any break is getting some great digs to stay in. While it can seem like all fun and games when you’re planning a holiday, go for the cheaper option like B&Bs or tents. But how much fun are you really going to have this way?
That is why it can make a lot more sense to check out some of the more on-trend options on offer. Of which Bournemouth as quite a few. Consider renting a house or apartment from companies like Smart Holiday Rentals Bournemouth. There are clean, modern and stylish and you’ll have your own space to relax in.
Or you could push the boat out and stay in a chic establishment like the Urban Beach hotel. Not surprisingly, it is located a stone’s throw from the beach, and it has a lux coastal feel. Replete with chandeliers in the bedrooms and a well-stocked and stylish bar.
4. Dance it Out
Now, if you are looking to dance the night away while on your trip to Bournemouth, then you really need to check out the Halo Nightclub. Located in an old church, Halo’s architecture remains intact. Which provides a beautiful juxtaposition to the house music played by the resident DJS, and the special guests that they host now and again.