Goodbye Brighton, So Long Blackpool: This Is England's New Hotspot For Beach Trips - Islands

For travelers looking to skip the biggest crowds at England’s beach favorites like Brighton and Blackpool, Bournemouth on the southern coast of Dorset is being positioned as a go-to alternative. The town offers roughly seven miles of sandy shoreline, from the nature reserve at Hengistbury Head to the peninsula of Sandbanks. Between those landmarks are about a dozen named beaches, ranging from pebbly, cliff-backed stretches to softer sand suited to family outings, sunbathing, and swimming. Beyond the coast, visitors can explore local museums and art galleries, or nearby sites such as Christchurch Castle and even Stonehenge, about an hour’s drive away. Bournemouth is well connected by train from London in about two and a half hours, or by car for roughly 100 miles and around two hours.