Bournemouth holiday: what is it like there?

[Wauden]

We fancy a short break and wondered what Bournemouth would be like.

Criteria for the break are:
Going by train,
Culture and heritage,
Seeing the sea even if it is colder,
Decent cafes that serve healthy food and non gluten.
Any experiences? Anyone who lives there care to share thoughts? Do you prefer Eastbourne?

I’ve holidayed a lot in the UK and really liked Bournemouth. Lovely wide beaches and a really nice park right in the centre of things. I like Eastbourne too but Bournemouth is bigger.

Is it normally crowded in or out of
season?

Where we live its crowded all the time.

There are 7 miles of beach. It’s mobbed on a hot day in the centre … but if you go east to Southbourne or west towards Sandbanks it’s much less crowded.

Beaches are nicer and less crowded on Studland (National Trust) just a short hop on the chain ferry from Sanbanks - a one or two lovely restaurants, pubs and cafes scattered over many miles.

7 miles of beach sounds great.

Just so you know Homelessness is a big problem in Bournemouth and all the towns on the south coast. There are quite a few problems around the station. I work in the area so used to the issues.

There are some lovely places tho and the Russel Coates Museum is absolutely amazing russellcotes.com

We like the plan of taking the train and walking only for a holiday.

The museum looks fun!

Studland is beautiful. I've seen wild deer there in the autumn. Bournemouth itself is great - has everything that you need.

The beach is glorious and Russell Cotes Museum not to be missed if you like arts and culture. The town has quite a distinctive feel with palm trees and lots of blocks of 60s apartments but I was really disappointed in Bournemouth town centre which feels VERY urban. No nice architecture and we didn't see anything I would describe as "trendy", "arty", "quirky" or "hipster" which are all the things we look for to amuse / interest our teenage daughters. It was all multiplex cinemas and chain restaurants. All very middle of the road. Perhaps there are trendier areas than the centre? I'd be interested to know. From what I saw, I wouldn't rush back.
I like antique shops, old pubs, arty gift and homeware shops, vintage clothing and galleries. Didn't see any of that in Bournemouth. Give me Hastings Old Town any day, despite all its rough edges.