Five things you must do while living in Bournemouth

By April Dyer, BSc (Hons) Nutrition graduate.

I’ve actually lived in Bournemouth all my life, so I was already familiar with the area. In fact, the area is one of the reasons I decided to choose BU – I already knew about the fantastic places it has to offer, and knew that anywhere else I moved to would struggle to match them. I’ve been sharing my insider knowledge of Bournemouth with my fellow students since starting my course, so here are some of my top things to do in Bournemouth!

1. Go to the beach

One of my favourite places to go is the beach, where I walk the dogs. Although the beach is one long stretch, there are lots of little parts to it, so it feels like they are different beaches and many have their own feel. The main stretch, around Bournemouth pier, has a variety of restaurants and cafés close by. I recommend making the most of these, enjoying a hot chocolate in the colder months or a cocktail in the summer. The beaches are award winning and have been named the best in the UK in various surveys over the years.

2. Visit the town centre

Bournemouth town centre is big enough to be interesting and varied, but small enough that you can cover the whole area on foot. At the heart of the town is Bournemouth square which regularly hosts events such as markets, live music and other entertainment. There is a huge variety of shops, restaurants, bars and a cinema complex close by.

3. Stroll through the Lower Gardens

On the approach to the beach, you can walk through the Lower Gardens. When the sun is out, take a blanket and enjoy a picnic, read a book or play some mini golf. Then you can walk along the pier, admire the view and play in the amusements. At Christmas you can visit Christmas Tree Wonderland, where the gardens are filled with spectacular lights to walk through and it really is magical. At Christmas there is also a market hosted in the square filled with lots of stalls selling food, gifts and treats. There’s even a temporary outdoor bar, the ideal place to grab a drink and meet friends.

4. Enjoy a great night out

There is a buzzing night life in Bournemouth with lots of restaurants, bars and night clubs. The Students’ Union club, The Old Fire Station, is a few minutes’ walk away from most of the student accommodation in Lansdowne. The club hosts a range of events and is a great place to get to know new people.

5. Get out and explore the local area

Bournemouth is convenient to reach via car, train or bus and the bus services are excellent to travel between the campuses, accommodation and all other local facilities.

You can hop on a bus and visit many places

Dorset has to offer. Whether you choose to visit Weymouth for the beach, shopping, and fantastic fish and chips, Poole to visit the harbour, Brownsea Island for its spectacular scenery, Swanage to see the iconic railway, Corfe Castle for a spot of history, or a boat trip around the Jurassic Coast, you’ll find something just right for you.