Essential Hotels > England > Dorset > Bournemouth

Bournemouth is one of England’s quintessential seaside resorts, enjoying a sheltered location on the South Coast. Traditionally a town in the county of Hampshire, Bournemouth became part of Dorset in 1974, and an independent unitary authority in 1997. This delightful town, the largest in Dorset, is renowned for its seven glorious miles of golden beaches, its colourful parks and gardens, and its cosmopolitan – almost continental – ambience. Few towns in the UK are able to blend the traditional and the contemporary as seamlessly as this. The reputation of the vibrant destination we know today is even more impressive if you consider that it was but a tiny settlement at the turn of the 19th century, until Lewis Tregonwell bought some land at the mouth of the River Bourne. As with many of the UK’s seaside resorts, Bournemouth became a fashionable place to visit in Victorian England with those looking to take in the refreshing sea air. The dramatic growth and development of the town during that era is visible today in the many wonderful examples of typically grand Victorian architecture.

The golden age of the seaside holiday came at the turn of the 20th century, and consequently an abundance of splendid hotels were built along the coast to accommodate the descending crowds. Today, Bournemouth is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in the South of England, and the many grand Victorian and Edwardian hotels are still an integral part of the town. At the same time, it has had to move with the times, and has done so successfully. Bournemouth is one of the UK’s premier venues for conferences and events and the extensive facilities at the Bournemouth International Centre are proof of this. The town has also developed in many other aspects, and the blend of a relaxed café culture with a renowned pulsating nightlife mean Bournemouth is regarded as both a laid-back haven and a serious party venue. Some of the South’s most impressive shopping facilities are here, as well as a variety of attractions and leisure facilities. This is complemented by an impressive pageant of events to ensure there's always something happening in Bournemouth throughout the year, whatever your individual taste.