Voted Europe's best beach – and the fourth best in the world – in a major poll by Tripadvisor earlier this year, Bournemouth's seven miles of golden sands commanding superb views over the neighbouring Purbecks take some beating. Whilst the town hasn’t entirely shaken off its genteel, elderly image, it has in recent years reinvented itself as one of the buzziest nightlife hubs on the south coast; and with a plethora of language schools and a thriving university it has a younger feel than you’d expect. Neighbouring Poole is a more workaday port with a historic and bustling quay. Famous for its enormous natural harbour – the second largest in the world after Sydney – and exclusive properties along the Sandbanks peninsular, it shares the western extremities of Bournemouth’s beach.
Cool Places aims to celebrate the glorious diversity of the UK, promoting the very best places to visit, sleep, eat, drink, shop and much more. We particularly love the independent businesses that make the UK unique, from the tiniest B&B to the grandest boutique hotel, as well as the extraordinary British landscape and its amazing sights and attractions. Our guides cover most of the major towns and regions of Britain – for more information, visit www.coolplaces.co.uk
