Why we rate Bournemouth for a winter coastal escape

Say Bournemouth, and images of sun-soaked beaches packed with holiday-making families likely come to mind. And as a twenty-something living just a couple of hours away, the seaside summer resort town admittedly wasn’t on my travel radar, let alone in the middle of winter.

But when the chance came up for a coastal escape at the Boundless-owned West Cliff Hotel & Spa, my partner and I discovered there’s far more to Bournemouth than its summertime charm – even in deepest, darkest winter…

Take a bracing beach walk

Take a stroll and breathe in the fresh coastal air/Credit: Getty Images

Bournemouth’s seven-mile stretch of sandy beaches is undoubtedly its biggest draw, and it’s just a 15-minute hop down from West Cliff Hotel. We took a couple of brisk walks along the promenade, emptied of its summer crowds – and yes, it was blustery, but all the better for blowing away those cobwebs.

We spotted a few hardy souls settled in front of the candy-coloured beach huts, which added a welcome splash of colour. You can rent one of these seaside shelters for the weekend, kitted out with chairs, cosy blankets, and tea-making facilities – everything you need to simply kick back and watch the waves roll in.

Stroll through the gardens

We enjoyed another lovely stroll along the historic pleasure gardens, a narrow strip of greenery that flanks the River Bourne’s path toward the sea. Despite their narrow footprint, the Upper and Central parts felt surprisingly secluded, and their unusual trees, quaint bridges and super-friendly squirrels all added to the charm.

The atmosphere quickly shifted as we crossed over to the Lower Gardens, the hush giving way to the buzz of the town centre and squawking seagulls. Here, we stumbled across the charming little rescue aviary and spent some time getting to know dozens of tropical bird species – make sure you don’t miss it.

Warm up with a coffee

Start your day with a delicious coffee/Credit: Kelly Ray

No winter walk is complete without a cosy coffee break, and we made time to pause at two fantastic independent spots during our stay, both just off the Lower Gardens. First, we popped into Fika for a frothy London Fog and fresh cinnamon roll, while at South Coast Coffee, my free tastecard treated me to 25% off my go-to chai latte.

If you prefer the familiarity of a chain, there are also a couple of Caffè Neros in central Bournemouth, where Boundless members can save with their tastecard, too.

Boundless saving: 

• Members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, saving 25% on barista-made drinks at chain and independent coffee shops across the UK.

Indulge in a spot of retail therapy

Browse the shops at Westbourne/Credit: Kelly Ray

One of my favourite weekend activities is having a good nosy around independent shops, and the charming suburb of Westbourne has them aplenty. Just a 15-minute walk from West Cliff Hotel, it’s brimming with an eclectic collection of gift, homeware, and fashion boutiques, all housed in and around a stunning Victorian glass arcade – the dream way to while away an hour or two and pick up a unique memento.

Kick back and relax

And relax... in West Cliff's Spa/Credit: Kelly Ray

Truth be told, I could’ve easily spent our entire stay without stepping foot outside our hotel. West Cliff’s secluded, subterranean spa was the ultimate winter sanctuary – a welcome escape from the bone-chilling temperatures above ground. Beyond all the spa amenities you’d expect, there’s also a hushed, low-lit relaxation lounge and – our personal favourite – an aromatherapy room. For an extra treat, I couldn’t resist booking a head massage, though the full-body salt scrub and superfood facial sounded equally fantastic.

Boundless saving:

• Boundless members get complimentary spa access and 10% off treatments at West Cliff Hotel & Spa.

Hit the pool and gym

Come on in, the water's lovely!/Credit: Kelly Ray

I kicked off both mornings with a dip in West Cliff’s conservatory pool, while my partner hit the adjoining gym. With its balmy waters and natural light flooding through the glass roof, it was easy to pretend I was somewhere further afield – especially when I rounded off my laps with a good book (and inevitable doze) on one of the poolside loungers.

Eat…

We were seriously impressed by West Cliff’s culinary offerings; from the hot, crusty filled ciabattas served at lunch to the zingy lemon berry cheesecake that had me swooning at dinner. And we couldn’t resist indulging in the afternoon tea – a real treat of dainty finger sandwiches, warm scones and incredibly moreish mini desserts. Though we weren’t here on a Sunday, we heard the roast dinners are well worth hanging around for.

…and eat

Though we would’ve happily had dinner at West Cliff again, we fancied a change of scenery and popped round the corner to Da Mario Pizzeria. This lively little family-run restaurant fires up some of the most deliciously doughy, pillowy-crusted pizzas I’ve ever had. We topped our meal off with tiramisu, which tasted even sweeter knowing they were 2-for-1 with our tastecard.

If you head into the town centre, you’ll find plenty of familiar favourites including Pizza Express, Prezzo, Zizzi and ASK Italian – all offering Boundless members discounts through tastecard.

Boundless saving: 

• Members get free access to tastecard, offering 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at thousands of chain and independent restaurants across the UK.

Huddle up with a pint

There’s nothing quite like ducking into a warm pub on a chilly winter’s evening, and I’m always eager to check out the locals’ favourite spots wherever we stay. Happily, West Cliff is spoiled for choice on its doorstep, sparing us a cold, long walk back. We supped a pint at The Four Horsemen – a quirky 90s-themed pub boasting a bafflingly vast selection of drinks – and All Hail Ale, a snug little micropub next to Da Mario.

Entertain the kids

Discover fascinating marine life at Oceanarium/Credit: Oceanarium Bournemouth 

We visited as a couple, but Bournemouth has plenty to offer for those with kids in tow. The RockReef activity centre on the pier features climbing walls, an aerial obstacle course and a zipline back to the beach, while the Oceanarium is home to some fascinating marine life (with the added perk of a member discount through Kids Pass).

There’s also Bowl Central for a round or two of classic family fun, plus 50% off food with your tastecard. Through Kids Pass, you can also get 2-for-1 on huntfun booklets – self-run treasure hunts that take you round the streets of, in this case, Bournemouth, helping you discover some hidden gems you might have otherwise walked right past.

Boundless savings:

• Members enjoy 30% off the gate price to Oceanarium Bournemouth and 2-for-1 huntfun treasure hunts by booking online through Kids Pass.
• Members get free access to tastecard, offering 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at thousands of chain and independent restaurants across the UK.

More things to do in Bournemouth

If we’d stayed for longer, we would have definitely popped into the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, a rather striking clifftop house brimming with Victorian treasures. It’s also worth checking what’s on at Bournemouth International Centre or historic Pavilion Theatre, where you can catch gigs, comedy and shows. Or, you could cosy up with the latest film at the Odeon in the town centre, saving on your tickets through Cinema Society.

We travelled by train and got around on foot, but there’s plenty more to explore if you’re coming by car, from the magnificent Highcliffe Castle to scenic walks around Hengistbury Head, Stour Valley Nature Reserve and the New Forest National Park.

Boundless savings:

• Members can save up to 37% on cinema tickets and snacks at Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and more through The Cinema Society.

Boundless savings:

• Boundless members save up to 20% on their stay at West Cliff Hotel & Spa, and benefit from free parking, late checkout, free spa access plus 10% off treatments.

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue.