By the Seaside in Bournemouth

My latest adventure was with coach operator Wallace Arold whose five-day 'Bournemouth, Dorset and New Forest' holiday offered me the perfect opportunity to explore much more than just traditional beach life.

The company-owned Savoy, a plesant three-star hotel on the cliff tops near the ier, was a perfect base, with four nights dinner, bed and breakfast combined with en-suite facilties and two included excursions.

As usual Bournemouth itself was swininging. Bright lights, fine shops (the town's renowned for its shopping), eight miles of seafront and tree-lined chines. Bournemouth is famous for its chines, those narrow wooded gorges leading down to the sea.
For an extra ?5 I took a coach tour of the prosperous town, with its smart hotels and ever-increaing expensive apartments.

Tour guide Ian pointed out some homes of the famous and former-famouse, like Lily Langtry - much visited by King Edward VIi - Mantovani and even Max Bygraves.

Our day-long visit to Southampton, via the New Forest, gave us an opportunity for a harbour cruise to see some famous ships and was followed by a tour of medieval Saisbury,, with its cathedral and nearby Old Sarum and Stonehenge.

Another day we headed for thehills - Purbeck Hills in Dorset, calling in at the unspoiled towns of Wareham and swanage and passing through lovely little villages of stone houses, inclduing one with the magnificent mansion of pop star Sting.

The delightful resort of Swanage boasts a pristine sandy beach and Clock Tower that was first erected in honour of the Duke of Wellington on London Bridge. it was the perfect setting to relax and unwind.

Before heading for home there was just enough time to savour Bournemouth for one last time. With its awards for clean beaches and parks and open spaces, Bournemouth is good all year round. There is simply something for everyone and it's easy to see why it has stood the test of time.

But now the traditional seaside resort is tuning to the future. It says it is rejuvenating itself with a multi-million pound waterfront complex amidst claims to be the entertainment centre of the South Coast.

Perhaps I'll be back next year to see how much progress has been made!

More information from Wallace Arnold Tel: 0845 756 6665

13 June 2005