Go Beyond the Beach this summer
24th June 2021
Go Beyond The Beach This Summer!
During the glorious long days of summer, when the sunshine gets warmer, the skies bluer and the restaurants and bars busier it’s fun to think about the gems that lie beyond the seafront across the conurbation of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Of course, the miles of beautiful, sandy, awarding-winning beaches are unmissable when visiting the region at any time of the year but there are many other extraordinary things to do and places to visit. Castles and quays, harbours and museums, parks, gardens, and nature reserves are all available to visit across the region alongside a plethora of interesting shopping, drinking, and eating venues and a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, on and off the water.
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf is located a stone’s throw from Bournemouth’s seafront and is ideal entertainment for those who don’t want to wander too far from the enticing sand and waves. Its neighbours at Pier Approach , the Big Wheel and of course the iconic Bournemouth Pier are also very close to the extraordinary Victorian Grade II Listed Gardens which stretch inland through the town centre and onwards offering a riot of floral colour, rare tropical plants and a fascinating tree trail. Picturesque pathways lead to ornamental bridges, a folly and eventually to the tranquil bird and bee friendly Coy Pond. Like in many parts of Bournemouth, you can find extraordinary street art of the highest quality – The Upside Gallery is located in the Central Gardens, depicting supersized, vibrant paintings by nationally acclaimed artists.
The Bournemouth neighbourhoods of Westbourne, Southbourne and Boscombe all offer quirky and unusual shopping, wellbeing, drinking,and dining experiences as well as being situated close to the miles of wide sandy beaches.
Historic Poole Quay is always busy with no shortage of alfresco and indoor spots to eat drink and marvellous views of the National Trust’s Brownsea Island, where you can enjoy the peacocks, red squirrels and peaceful, calming woodland walks. The impressive Poole Harbour is home to a huge variety of seabirds and is perfect for fishing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, kitesurfing, stand up paddling, power - boating and many other water sports. Also, in Poole, Upton Country Park with its Grade II Listed Georgian mansion house and Compton Acres, one of the finestprivately owned gardens in the South of England, both provide beautiful fresh air enjoyment, floral delights, and relaxation throughout the year.
Meanwhile, the market town of Christchurch is steeped in history and flanked with glistening golden sands on one side and the green vistas of the New Forest on the other. The majestic 11th Century Priory and Victorian Highcliffe Castle should not be missed when visiting this pretty harbour town. To the west of Christchurch is the stunning Hengistbury Head, a nature Reserve that includes fascinating heathland, freshwater wetland, and woodland. It is the home of rare birds and insects and is of great interest to environmentalists, ornithologists, archaeologists, and geologists as well as the many outdoor countryside loving tourists and residents, ramblers, and cyclists.
Cllr Mohan Iyengar , Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Culture says, “Our seafront and beaches are a fabulous asset but there is a lot more to see and do while you’re here. With this Beyond the Beach campaign we are encouraging visitors and residents to discover the more hidden gems in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Whether it’s historic sites, activities, concerts, open air bus tours, harbour cruises or a great mix of places to eat and drink , we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer. So , enjoy the beach, but go explore beyond!”
This beautiful coastal conurbation boasts several fascinating and diverse museums and places of historical interest, all worth visiting even when the sun shines! One of the best is the extraordinary Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, housed in a quirky Victorian Italianate villa, positioned on Bournemouth’s East Cliff with stunning panoramic sea views. Poole Museum is set in a 19th Century quayside warehouse with an atrium extension dating from 2007. The museum’s galleries tell the story of the historic maritime town of Poole and its stunning natural harbour from pre -history to the 21st Century Meanwhile, The Lighthouse Poole is one of the biggest Arts Centres in the south offering a huge variety of theatre, dance, opera, cinema, art and classical music.
The whole region is perfect for cycling, walking, running, hiking, every type of water sport and having fun with the dog. There are many trails and routes to explore, through the glorious gardens, around bustling harbours, along winding rivers and across areas of stunning natural beauty such as Hengistbury Head and Stour Valley.
Further afield in the county visitors can enjoy the varied delights of Swanage and Dorchester, Corfe Castle, Monkey World, The Tank Museum at Bovington, Wimborne Model Railway and Sherborne Castle in west and north Dorset.
