Bournemouth is a popular seaside getaway near London, featuring rocky cliffs, golden sand beaches, piers, parks, and shopping streets. This makes it a great place to spend the weekend. Bournemouth is also the largest town in Dorset County. Bournemouth is only 2.5 hours drive making it one of the best weekend trips from London by car. It is easily reachable by train too and only takes around 2.10 hours which also makes it one of the best weekend trips from London by train. The close vicinity to the Jurassic Coast, Durdle door, Christchurch, and the Isle of Wight make it one of the best getaways near London.

Beach

Bournemouth beach is the city's main attraction, seven miles long with multiple piers, beach huts, and rocky cliff faces. The general cleanliness of the beach means it has little competition from other beach towns. The large rock cliffs give you endless ocean and beach views, complementing the stunning scenery. The water is another pleasant surprise here, as it is clean and easily swimmable. Bournemouth's impressive beach has tourists flocking from nearby towns in Dorset County looking to soak up the sun and go for a swim. The beach in Bournemouth is perfect for a getaway near London as it is quite hard to find such beautiful beaches near the city.

Bournemouth Pier

A seaside getaway near London wouldn't be complete without a beautiful pier. Bournemouth's beautiful Victorian pier stretches 838ft into the ocean and is situated within reach of the town centre. Restaurants, arcades, and the nearby oceanarium keep this pier bustling all day long. A walk to the end of the pier will greet you with scenic views of the rocky cliffs and beach. The pier is a great way to take a mid-afternoon stroll across the waterfront and find some entertainment.

Lower Gardens

The picturesque Lower Gardens is a tranquil park within a few minutes walk of the Town Centre and Bournemouth beach. The gardens are a pleasant retreat from the business of the town centre. Lower Gardens is known for its hot air balloon and mini golf, but it is just as much of an enjoyable experience walking around this park. This park is very well maintained and it is a nice place for a picnic or reading a book. The Lower Gardens is a peaceful place to relax on a getaway near London.

Town Centre

The town centre of Bournemouth is where many of the shops are located. In contrast to some smaller seaside towns, Bournemouth has a wide range of shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. Here you'll find the typical British high street shops along with some smaller, more local stores on the side streets.

Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast spans approximately 96 miles across the English Chanel. It features many beaches, cliffs, and nature sites along its land mass. The Studland Bay area of the coast is located within a 5-minute ferry journey from the Sandbanks area of Bournemouth or a short 20-minute drive from the city centre. The Jurassic Coast is a beautiful place to walk and spend a few hours viewing nature. These scenic views are very rare within such a short distance to London. To see such beautiful nature, you would normally have to travel to someplace further, this makes it a great getaway near London for people wanting to experience nature.

Hengistbury Head

Hengistbury head is another relaxing way to spend your day in Bournemouth. The scenic headland sits on the English Channel in a small town called Christchurch. The landscape has boats, beaches, and many beach huts. It is a fun escape from the main beach of Bournemouth and a nice place to swim or bask in the sun. Hengistbury Head is easily reachable within a 20-minute car journey from Bournemouth city centre.

Bournemouth is a very enjoyable destination near London, and it is easy to reach the city by bus or car from London. If you are lucky enough to have a few days in Bournemouth, then don't be shy to venture out of the main town. Many nearby nature attractions make this a fantastic getaway to escape the busy city vibe of London. Make sure to pack your adventure gear and camera, as Bournemouth will offer you a ton of exploration and is the perfect getaway near London.