I lived in one of the UK’s best seaside towns – these are the best hidden gems

Being the largest town in Dorset, Bournemouth boasts impressive connections to its surrounding counties and is on a direct train route to London. While it is an appealing place for this very reason, the town itself has a wealth of beauty and attraction thanks to its idyllic scenery and long list of amenities.

Bournemouth spans 46.18 km squared and is part of the BCP local authority, along with its neighbours, Christchurch and Poole, with whom it shares a stretch of the Jurassic coastline.

Having been named the number one beach in the UK as part of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, there’s no doubt the seaside is the biggest draw for those who relocated to Bournemouth, but there are plenty of hidden gems to be discovered too.

As a former resident of the town myself, I’d like to think I found my share of lesser-known spots that are well worth visiting – especially as the three years I spent there were during the coronavirus pandemic (2018-2021).

Even with so many viewing spots dotted along the coast, I found there to be one destination in the area that is unrivalled for a blazing orange sunset, plus a few restaurants that I always revisit.

The town centre is a haven for shoppers with a lengthy main high street lined with big names, and the BH2 centre – a complex filled with restaurants, a cinema, a boom battle bar and other leisure activities. That said, there are plenty of calm spots that escape the hustle and bustle of visitors.

Bournemouth Upper Gardens are reachable by following the Central Gardens upwards, which begin in the town square. You’ll journey through the narrow channel of greenery that’s adorned with well-presented flower beds, a small river and towering willow trees that cast dappled shade along the way. Follow the path, which gets gradually quieter as you escape the bustling shopping district, all the way to Coy Pond which you’ll reach in around 28 minutes.

The pond is a quaint spot set in a residential area with ducks and colourful flowers that grow bankside. The route is easy to follow on foot or by bike and makes for a scenic stroll on a sunny day.

Journey back down to the town centre and through the Lower Gardens which are sandwiched between the seafront and busy square. In summer, you’ll find the lawns filled with people soaking up the sun. There’s usually even a big screen showing Wimbledon so it’s the perfect picnic spot.

Bournemouth Beach is easy to access from the Lower Gardens, but it’s usually the busiest entrance. Instead, walk past the Bournemouth International Centre up the hill on West Cliff Road until you reach the Alum Chine car park. Explore the underrated tropical gardens before making your way to the beach.

The golden sandy front spans all the way west to Sandbanks in Poole, and this mid-section is much quieter than the main portion of Bournemouth Beach that’s near the Oceanarium and bars.

One of the best cycle routes on the coast is to continue from Bournemouth Beach to the Sandbanks Chain Ferry, where you’ll find a small carpark that overlooks the ferry port. It’s small and unassuming but the sunset views are arguably the best in the area.

It takes just 20 minutes to cycle the very flat path from Alumn Chine to the ferry, which journeys via Branksome Chine Beach and Canford Cliffs. The views are incredible and you may even spot goats roaming the steep cliffside as you near Sandbanks.

The chain ferry sets off in front of The Haven Hotel but the sunset-viewing spot is mostly quiet if you go on a chilly evening. In summer, you’ll undoubtedly be joined by a small handful of locals seeking a golden view but it’s never busy.

As for drinking and dining, Bournemouth is spoilt for choice with all the biggest restaurant chains available in the town centre. The best spots I found, however, are those that boast an independent status.

Make your way from the town centre to the bendy road where The Triangle meets Commercial Road and you’ll find Ojo Rojo, a Mexican restaurant serving authentic street food and Mezcal tequila cocktails in a rustic setting, complete with a sizeable outdoor hacienda.

Just a stone’s throw away you’ll find Lolas Spanish Tapas Restaurant, a locally-renowned spot serving delicious small plates at great prices. For dinner with a view, Brasserie Blanc at the Marriott Highcliff Hotel is the best in town.

The French restaurant is part of the hotel but not exclusive to overnight guests and is well-worth a visit for an occasion meal, or even just a drink on the sea view terrace.