In the southwest of England there is a region called Dorsetshire or county of Dorset in which the municipality of Bournemouth is located. A coastal city bearing the same name is the largest city there. This resort town is located between Southampton and Plymouth. In the northeast is the settlement of Ferndown, while Wimborne lies to the northwest. To the east, the city of Bournemouth borders that of Christchurch.
This city receives millions of tourists from all over the world every year, mainly between the months of July and September, when temperatures are warmer.
The city was founded in the year 1810 by a man named Lewis Tregonwell. However, it only became a recognized city in 1870. In the intervening 60 years, it grew, but the arrival of the railroad in 1870 is the only factor attributed to the city’s rapid growth. This development ushered in an era of mass summer visits by Londoners and people from the Midlands.
The central gardens, called ‘pleasure gardens’, is a public park in the city that runs for several kilometers along the Bourne River and ends gently descending to the waterfront. The area has seven kilometers of sandy beaches and its promenade overlooks Poole Bay and the Isle of Wight.
The city has an estimated 170,000 inhabitants. Historically, it was a retirement town, but that has changed in recent years due to a variety of factors.
The area is home to uniquely attractive ridges (steep river valleys) where several streams descend to the sea. This is a common feature of the Bournemouth coastline. The streets have been made very pedestrian-friendly, while the shopping malls are located just behind the promenade along the river banks, thus receiving the pleasant sea breeze.
Bournemouth city center is a popular destination for business tourists with its conference facilities. To the east of the Central Gardens is the Russell-Cotes Museum, a favorite with art lovers. It is named after the man who founded it in his mansion and later donated it to the city after his death. Contains many 19th century paintings.
Every August, the city hosts a four-day airshow. All kinds of aircraft are presented and the event attracts more than a million tourists. In addition, the ‘Bournemouth Eye’ is a famous landmark in the city. It is a spherical helium balloon with a gondola for passengers and it moves along a steel cable. It rises to 190 meters to give an aerial view of the region. This is in addition to the long sandy beaches and the kind of waters that are a paradise for surfers.
The Pavilion Theater presents many plays and attracts many theatergoers. In addition, the town has all kinds of restaurants, from English to Italian and Asian. Indian, Mexican, French and many other restaurants are also available. In addition, there are endless fast food outlets, pizzerias and bars, some with unique traditions.
Bournemouth is therefore an exciting place to visit or vacation.