Bournemouth guide and sightseeing         

Summary
With seven miles of sandy beach stretching close to the New Forest in the east and Poole to the west, this south coast resort is hugely popular and one of the sunniest places in the UK. The abundance of parks full of flowers in the town centre and the colourful beach huts and deck chairs lining the promenade suggest a genteel pace of life prevails.

However, it's actually a cosmopolitan party city - especially after the recent multi-million pound investment in leisure facilities in recent years and the growing troops of stag and hen parties invading the town centre at weekends. The increasing popularity of watersports, particularly surfing, shows that the fun isn't confined to the town's many bars and clubs.

Getting there/getting around Bournemouth
It takes two hours to reach Bournemouth by train from London, Waterloo or about two and a half hours by car to cover the 107 mile distance heading out on the M3, M27 and A31.

Bournemouth station is about a mile from the town centre and served by taxis and buses. Wilts and Dorset Red Buses serve the Bournemouth-Poole-Swanage region and there is a car rental service at Bournemouth station and also at Bournemouth airport.

Buses connect Bournemouth Airport with the Travel Interchange where you can transfer to Bournemouth Train Station or the National Express and Flight Link services.

Sightseeing around Bournemouth
Get off to a soaring start with the Bournemouth Eye in the Lower Gardens. This is a tethered balloon ride which operates between April and September and ascends 500ft to offer amazing views of the town, the surrounding countryside and the English Channel.

The beach is the main draw and won six awards for cleanliness and environmental care last year. An artificial surf reef is due to be completed by September. It could double the wave height and put Bournemouth firmly on the surfing map.

The Oceanarium next to the pier is the closest you'll get to seeing piranha in Bournemouth, but this attraction with it's interactive Caribbean zone and other marine life from around the world is definitely worth a visit.

Back on dry land try the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum on top of the East cliff. Enjoy a wander through Compton Acres gardens or head out to the Old Town in Poole for a stroll around its 18th-century buildings. Brownsea Island Nature Reserve in Poole harbour is a must for bird watchers.

Bournemouth family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences         

Family attactions in Bournemouth
The Adventure Wonderland in Christchurch is inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland story and is a theme park with seven acres of thrills, including the  space orbiter, teacup ride, astroslide and hedge maze. The children will also love the Jumicar Road Safety Park in Parley Court Farm, Hurn.

Back on the beach, this Easter will see the introduction of 40 new mini deck chairs, suitable for three-year-olds. Bournemouth Pier arcade is one for video game enthusiasts while the Pier Theatre and Pavilion Theatre offer a whole range of family entertainment including pantomimes, children's shows and concerts.

Day trips from Bournemouth
Head west to Purbecks, Poole and Brownsea Island. The chain ferry will take you from exclusive Sandbanks (where land values are said to be the fourth most priciest in the world after London, New York and Tokyo) onto Studland. Discover the many lovely villages and check out what's left of Corfe Castle.

Alternatively, take a boat trip around Pool and Brownsea Island from Poole Harbour and appreciate the Jurassic coastline which is a World Heritage site, from the sea.

The New Forest and the Isle Of Wight are towards the east but allow yourself a good day or longer to appreciate these glorious spots.

Shopping in Bournemouth
As the county's main commercial centre you'll be spoilt for choice. Popular High Street name shops can be found in the Quadrant Centre in Old Christchurch Road and the Avenue Shopping Centre in Commercial Road whilst the Castlepoint Shopping Park, built on a 41 acre site, has department stores and even free parking over four hour periods.

Smaller boutiques specialising in clothing can be found around the town while for fresh food, Boscombe Market has much to offer and is open most days of the week.

Bournemouth nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs         

Restaurants in Bournemouth
With around 250 restaurants in Bournemouth, you won't go hungry. Mexican, Chinese, Greek and Indian venues can be found in the town centre, while the good seafood places are along the seafront.

The Bistro on the Beach in Southbourne won the Best Bistro award in a national survey a few years ago. It's a cafe during the day, but a great restaurant to head to in the evening.

The Hot Rocks restaurant on the Pier Approach is another favourite, dishing up Tex-Mex food and superb ice-cream. It has recently been refurbished with a surfing theme and is said to serve as many as 1,000 people a day in summer.

Nightlife in Bournemouth
Home to a vast population of students as well the stag and hen brigade, there is a big range of bars and clubs to enjoy, in and around the town centre. Just be careful if going en-masse with a group of blokes; it's highly likely some of you will be bounced away, so break up into smaller groups to gain access to the big venues.

Serious clubbers should take their Day-Glo sticks to The Opera House in Christchurch Road, Boscombe (undergoing refurbishment at the start of 2007). If you prefer your trance and house music diluted with a bit of R&B, soul and retro pop, bounce down to Elements - the largest nightclub in Bournemouth.

For a more funky vibe the Toko Bar comes highly rated - but stick to the energy drinks as this place often remains open to 6am at weekends. The bar is next door to Bliss - an exceptionally trendy bar in St Peters Road - aka - the town's late zone.

For something only slightly more sedate, the Landmarc Restaurant Theatre was voted Best Evening Experience at the town's tourism awards last year. Situated in a Grade II listed church in the town centre, it offers a dinner cabaret experience as well as a Comedy Store night.