Bournemouth

United Kingdom

Things to do in Bournemouth:

View the Gallery Pier by night

Bournemouth Restaurants

Cheap (21)

The Hungry Hiker

Find great coffee, huge all-day breakfast baps, baguettes and homemade soup - all under a fiver - at this friendly caf� at the foot of Hengistbury Head. read more
Affordable (22)

Indi's

A swish Indian serving popular favourites along with unusual mains, such as swordfish jal, crab garlic balti and lobster with scallops and prawns. read more
Good quality (17)

Hotel du Vin & Bistro

In a beautiful Georgian house behind Poole Quay, this atmospheric bar and bistro serves up top-quality European-style dishes, such as fricass�e of seafood with red rice. Sunny day? Eat on the... read more

Bournemouth Nightlife

Chilled (14)

Bar Ventana

A glitzy and glamorous art deco hotel bar, where you can sip fruity cocktails overlooking an outdoor pool and out to sea. read more
Live Music (12)

Bournemouth International Centre

There's music of all genres throughout March at the BIC, from Katherine Jenkins (9th), the Four Tops and the Temptations (18th) via Ronan Keating (20th) to the legendary Chuck Berry on the 30th. read more
Clubbing (17)

Bliss

DJs, student nights, hen nights, cocktails and cheap drinks all feature heavily at this lively central club that plays everything from cheese to hip-hop. read more

This Month in Bournemouth (March):

By Matthew Hancock

Shopping: Individual, seaside-themed pottery, jewellery, paintings and gifts, many of which are made by local artists from driftwood or recycled items, can be found at the lovely Coastal Creatives Boutique Gallery (103 Southbourne Grove, Southbourne, tel: 01202 424 545).

Sightseeing: Take a boat trip from Poole Quay or Sandbanks out to Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. Here, you can spot endangered red squirrels and peacocks, stroll along an idyllic nature trail or enjoy various craft activities (nationaltrust.org.uk).

Key areas: Walk along the river, past the 12th-century castle and on to the harbour in the old market town of Christchurch. It's a popular foodie destination, with two Gary Rhodes' restaurants and some quirky independent shops.

Day trips: Less than an hour's drive west of Bournemouth, Lulworth Cove and its iconic sea-arch, Durdle Door, make a great destination for a bracing clifftop walk, affording views out over the picture-perfect crystal blue sea.

Bournemouth Trivia

March: This year, Bournemouth celebrates its bi-cententenary - the first house was built here in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell, founder of the town.
February: If you're looking for love, head to the Langtry Manor Hotel, which King Edward VII built in 1877 as a love nest for his official mistress, Lilly Langtry.
January: Famous author JRR Tolkien spent many holidays in the Miramar Hotel perched atop the cliff. He liked the town so much he eventually moved here.