We don’t usually get a lovely, sunny week in the UK—especially not at the start of April. But this week has been surprisingly dazzling, and we made the most of it by exploring some of the island’s beautiful shorelines. The south coast of England is dotted with charming beach towns, and we chose to visit Bournemouth in Dorset. I’d heard great things about the town, so we booked ourselves a lovely little staycation by the sea.

Just two and a half hours’ drive from London, it’s closer than many other coastal spots in England, yet far enough to make it feel like a proper getaway. The drive took us through the scenic New Forest, a stunning national park on the outskirts of the town—lush, peaceful, and the perfect prelude to our coastal escape.

We stayed at an elegant manor tucked away in a leafy part of Bournemouth—Derby Manor. With its refined décor and splendid tea room, the hotel was an absolute delight to discover.

With the sun shining at its peak, we took a leisurely walk down to the seaside, meandering along the zig-zagging coastal roads until we reached the golden sands. Our aim was to reach the main attraction of the beachfront—the iconic Bournemouth Pier. It was a pleasant 20-minute stroll along the shore. Naturally, we made a stop at the famous Harry Ramsden’s for some proper fish and chips. It’s a seaside must!

The pier itself is home to a large arcade—a fun throwback to the ‘90s! You don’t see many of these around London anymore. We spent a good hour playing all sorts of games, soaking in the nostalgic vibes. Afterwards, we grabbed some ice cream and relaxed outside, enjoying the beautiful day and watching brave surfers trying to catch waves in the distance.

I really enjoyed our day out. I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first visit, but I’ll definitely be back!

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