Why Bournemouth Has It All

     According to the Daily Mail, Bournemouth has recently been voted one of Europe’s best beaches thanks to the TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Awards. Bournemouth’s seven-mile sandy stretch was ranked higher by voters than some beaches in Italy, Portugal and France. The pier was also voted as the best the UK has to offer.

   But Bournemouth is so much more than a beautiful beach! It truly has something to offer for everyone, especially students. As both Bournemouth University and the Arts University Bournemouth have both expanded considerably over the past few years, both appearance wise and with regards to the number of students, the town centre has simply had to keep up with the demand! Whether you’re willing to blow your student loan on nights out or not, there are endless sights to see and places to go. 

The Beaches:

     Bournemouth is home to several outstanding beaches, one of which is Boscombe, which has an artificial reef built for surfers to enjoy. But even if you’re not into riding the waves, it’s a stunning place to spend an afternoon relaxing in the sun, if you’re lucky enough to have any. It also has a pier where many tourists enjoy the spectacular views on offer.

     Bournemouth beach itself is just a few minutes’ walk from Boscombe and, in the summer months thrives with a fun-fair, a huge games arcade, mini-golf, the Bournemouth Eye inflatables for children and several shops along the seafront selling beach favourites from buckets and spades to fish and chips.

   Branksome Chine is Bournemouth’s quieter, more discreet and tranquil beach. It is quite a lot smaller than the others but is fantastic for some time away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre. It also has a beautiful restaurant called Branksome Beach Restaurant and Terrace Bar, which serves food and drink throughout the day and there’s even traditional English Afternoon Tea on offer from 3pm each day.

A lovely place to spend a spare day is Sandbanks. It is known for being a really luxurious as it has the fourth highest land value in the world, so the beach itself is very well-maintained. There is also a vast shop on the beach called Sandbanks Stores as well as restaurant. So if you’re willing to venture a little further and fork out a little extra, or even just explore how the other half live, Sandbanks is for you. 

The Shops:

    If you’re more of a retail therapy fan than a beach lover, look no further. Bournemouth is home to several shopping havens for all your purchasing needs. The majority of the town centre is pedestrianized, which is perfect for taking your time window-shopping. The town centre plays host to a wide range of stores, including tattoo and piercing studios, boutiques, fast-food restaurants, and of course clothing shops.

 It is also situated just in front of the world famous Bournemouth Gardens, which have been a tourist-magnet since their creation. And it’s no wonder, as they’re a wonderful place to kick back and relax with friends or family or to enjoy the stunning scenery.

Westbourne is known for being a very stylish and elegant area, offering a blend of designer shops, beauty stores and some truly enchanting restaurants, as well as coffee bars and delis to take a break at in between your shopping sessions.

  Boscombe is Bournemouth’s most quirky and welcoming district, with all your high-street needs taken care of. It’s a great place to find an original gift or trinket and is also well-known for its vast array of antique shops and open-air market which is open on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Castlepoint is one of the area’s most popular destinations solely for the huge variety of stores and restaurants it has. It is situated just three miles from Bournemouth town centre and there’s no need to look any further for all your favourite brand name stores, including Topshop, River Island and Dorothy Perkins.

The Night Life:

    As a student, typically you’ll be wondering where the best places are for a good night out. Well the list really is endless when it comes to Bournemouth’s night scene. Whether you love lively evenings or are content with something a little more chilled, the town centre has it all. It is known as one of the most vibrant towns along the South Coast due to the selection of jazz bars, cocktail bars (including the newly opened Vodka Revolution) and of course night clubs.

If you fancy some entertainment, the Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre perform of many concerts, comedy performances and theatre productions straight from the West End. Bournemouth is also home to the Bournemouth International Centre and the Bournemouth O2 Academy if you’re a music fanatic, and gigs even take place in Bournemouth University’s club The Old Fire Station.

There’s even a Night Bus service, which is a really affordable way to get home after a night out. They run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and cost just £3 for a single fare.

     Whatever you’re after, Bournemouth has it! It’s the perfect blend of all the tranquillity and beauty of a noble seaside town and everything a student could desire to get them through their days of studying.