If you’re looking for a top of the range popular English seaside resort then Bournemouth in Dorset is the town for you. After spending six years in the town itself, I found it a fantastic place to chill out, party, work and relax in a town buzzing and caught up in a happy spirit. Here’s a top 5 things for you to see and do in the town!

1. Bournemouth Beach

Stating the obvious here, but Bournemouth’s award winning beach is probably the town’s most attractive tourist pull. I’ve worked on it, drank on it, played football on it and done a few other things on it…the beach stretches far and is split into many different “beaches” (West Beach, Southbourne Beach, Boscombe Beach, East Cliff etc.). The busiest part is the bit by Bournemouth Pier. On hot summer days this beach is honestly as good as England gets beachwise. You’d be a fool to spend any time in Bournemouth without even visiting the beach, even if it’s just to curb your curiosity and prove the fact that it’s a fantastic beach. It’s also very well kept.

Bournemouth beach!

2. A pub crawl in Bournemouth

Bournemouth is littered with an incredible range of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants! It makes it an absolutely ideal and amazing place for pub crawls. Start on the Christchurch Road and walk your way down to the square visiting as many drinking establishments as you can. The summers are the best time with beer gardens galore and loads of happy people out partying!

3. The Wave Balloon

This massive balloon known as the Wave Balloon appears only in the Spring and Summer months. It is a large hot air balloon attached by rope and hoisted up from Bournemouth’s seafront gardens. It’s hard to miss as you walk down by the seafront and a trip up in it offers immense views.

4. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery/Museum

The Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is a bit of a hidden tourist gem to be honest. It’s down near the seafront and has a range of art. The museum is also unique as it mixes Scottish and Italian influence in its structure. You can also have a coffee and enjoy the views over the beach and seafront.

5. Watching Football: The Cherries, AFC Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth – the Cherries

Everyone knows the English League is of a high standard and AFC Bournemouth are the local team. Based in Boscombe at Dean Court you can watch a good match for a decent price here. The Cherries attract a lot of local fans and this is a great day out.

Watching AFC Bournemouth is also a lot more affordable and authentic than watching the Premier League teams.

How to get to Bournemouth

From London you can get a bus or a train easily. They are regular and affordable and only take a few hours. I went across on the ferry into Liverpool, using a route from the Travel Republic Ireland site to help my journey.

You might also be surprised to hear that Bournemouth has an airport and you might pick up a cheap flight if you’re lucky! There’s also a casino in  town too if you get bored of your online blackjack playing!

That completes my top 5 list and rundown on what to see and do in Bournemouth in Dorset on the south coast of England.