A View to remember from air at Bourmouth

Breath-takingly Superb view of the Bournemouth city from the air gondola

To the Southern coast of UK, right next to the Jurassic coasts of Dorset, Facing the English Channel is Bournemouth, a magnificent coastal city much more conforming to my pallette compared to all the other dull places in most part of the country (I'm blatantly honest sorry :p)! Equipped with a sandy beach, Bournemouth is a seaside resort known for its 7 miles of beaches, Victorian architecture and buzzing nightlife in areas such as the Triangle. The resort is also home to Bournemouth Pier, an activity centre with an obstacle course, a climbing wall and a zip line.

I have only been there once but by God did I fall in love… My first experience at Bournemouth beach was last year during september when they held the annual Air Show. There was the blazing sun…  There were planes and helicopters manoeuvring in the sky in all sorts of interesting formations. There were massive battle ships with guns, firing during the show and at the end of the show… 

Red arrows

Marine ship

Battle tanks and marines setting up a play for the spectators with heavy guns and battlefield enactments… There were also rides and ice-creams… God the ice-creams! Hot roast and beer stands with queues till the eyes could see… And lots and lots and lots of dogs :D Well, the dogs were with their owners of course… Lol! But it sure felt more like a dog show than an air show for a while :p Best time to visit would be between April to September end. Long time, no worries :) And the annual Bournemouth Air Festival is a four-day event generally taking place during the last week of August or 1st week of September, preferably between 28th-1st of Septemeber, or something similar.

Well, when in Bournemouth, just relax and enjoy the show!

And while you're at it, here are some other things you could do:

Make plans down on the sand:

Boy am I a sucker for beaches… Not pebbly shores or industrial docks, but warm sandy beaches. Unfortunately there aren't too many good ones in UK. And even if you do find a few, you are always at the mercy of the weather to favour your lucky day out. Fortunately (if you may so call it) I do happen to live right next to the docks, and although I do not have a cheerful sandy beach in my own city, I do have them in the cities next to mine… There is Portsmouth about 45 min train ride away from Southampton, there is Isle of Wight about 20 min (fast) ferry ride from Southampton docks, and there is the Bournemouth beach just about 45 min drive away from my city. It is pretty close, so much so that we even have PhD students studying at my Uni from there, travelling to and fro every single working day!

Busy beach on a warn summer day… Everyone ready for the air show

Bournemouth beach has to be hands-down one of the prettiest, most fun beach in UK. During summer, it is teaming with people in their colourful swim-suits that add to the charm of a sunny beach, with colourful tents, umbrellas, beach balls and what not. The beach is also lined with arrays of very colourful and smart beach huts that are placed colourwise in ombre order gradually shifting hues. 

 

Colourful beach huts

 Seriously, during spring and summer, this right here is my abode! Well… Not really :p although I wish it were. My advice: definitely make a note to go there if visiting South England :)

View the city from the top:

1st September, my first hot air balloon ride

Not only did we bask by the sparkling blue sea, with the sand dazzling white in the sun, watch some splendid flying skills of the Red Arrows at the annual air show, relished tons of ice-cream, counted the various types of afore mentioned dogs parading through the venue… We also had the fabulous opportunity to ride the hot air balloon right at the heart of the beautiful Bournemouth city park. The 3km-long Bournemouth Gardens offer rock gardens, an aviary and plant species from 3 continents.

Garden's abloom...

Bournemouth is famous for its hot air balloons. Though the one I went to was quite short (15 mins), the ride gives you a panoramic view of the entire town. You can see the beach, the museums, the stadium and the whole of the park 360 degrees from the vantage point. It is spectacular as it is thrilling!

View from the top

 Of course, those of scared of heights, this might be asking too much from you but do give it try otherwise. Owing to the british weather, you HAVE to check the weather conditions before you can go and get yourself the 15 minutes of trill. See here for infos and details.

See a whole new world...

So, UK's only 6D cinema is in Bournemouth. Huh! Need I say more? 

I haven't been to the 6D cinema myself yet so won't be able to explain how it feels… But then again, I don't think it is easy to explain a 6D experience anyway… To get to the details of a space with 6 degrees of freedom is toooooooo mind boggling for me... Just ask the screw.

Well, I hope this is indeed what it looks like...

Definitely go watch it for yourself.


Work those sea legs!

Innumerable watersports for you sport fanatics with surfing, Yacht sailing, jet-skiing, canoeing, rafting and what not. Do all I say! I love sports (even though I suck at most of them) and I say go for it, if not for fitness, just do it for the adrenaline rush that can be so overpowering…

All the watersports you can wish for...

Whether for recreation, for leisure and pleasure, for entertainment or in competitive spirit, these water-sports that the city and the sea has to offer can be refreshing, indulging as well as VERY relaxing…

Oh I love speed-boats… Hope I get to do some this summer!


Go Adventure exploring:
 

cute graffiti...

Explore the city and enjoy what it has to offer. Eat, drink, be merry... There are very many places to go eat your heart out, especially by the beach and the Pier, I personally have been to, eaten and enjoyed at the hawaiian themed Hot Rocks restaurant and cocktail bar just at the seafront that serves some delectable coastal cuisine with an incredible view of the sea to go on the side. You may also stay at some lush hotels by the sea, even take a hike to the Dorset coasts, trace the Jurassic coasts, board a short train ride to the next door beach at Poole or camp up at Durdle door, the possibilities and options are endless… Just be free and explore to your heart's content… They are ALL incredible, just 5-10 mins ride away, and free of cost ;)

Breaking waves...

Zig-zag down the hill

I will bring more reviews on the exploring bit once I've done it myself… Until then,

Plan out a spring break or summer holiday… And just have fun!

Farewell for now…

Love always,

JB