Located on the south coast of England, Bournemouth is the largest town in Dorset and is home to the UK’s best beach – as voted in TripAdvisor’s Traveller’ Choice awards in 2019 for the second year in a row.
With an array of things to do, great transport links and educational institutes, living in Bournemouth is perfect for those who want to enjoy life by the seaside.
Average house prices in Bournemouth
Editor note: House prices updated March 2024
On average, property for sale in Bournemouth in the last year (March 2023 to February 2024) sold for £386k; this is similar to the previous year and around 6% higher than in 2021.
During this last year in Bournemouth, flats were sold more than any other type of property, reaching selling values of £244k. Semi-detached properties cost slightly more at an average of £365k, while fully detached houses went for an average of £571k each.
House rental prices in Bournemouth
Editor note: Rental prices updated March 2024
There are 747 properties for rent in Bournemouth as of March 2024, with flats being the more rampant option and costing an average of £1,294 per month, while houses cost an average of £2,387 per month. 2-, 1- and 3-bedroomed properties are the most popular rental properties in Bournemouth.
Areas nearby
Dorset and the surrounding areas of Bournemouth offer stunning scenery of rolling hills, sandy beaches and lush forests. Whether you choose to go north, east or west, you’ll find somewhere new to explore including the town of Poole, the small village of Studland and the quaint market town of Wimborne.
Transport in Bournemouth
Bournemouth has a well-developed transport network, making it easy to get around town, explore the surrounding areas and venture further afield.
Bournemouth by car
Bournemouth offers a good road network, providing easy access to nearby towns and villages, as well as the New Forest. The town is situated close to the A35 road, a major route connected to other coastal towns like Christchurch and Poole, and further inland to Southampton. Additionally, the M27 motorway offers a direct route to Winchester, Portsmouth, London and other destinations in the south.
Bournemouth by bus
An extensive bus network operated by Morebus and Yellow Buses serves Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, connecting residential areas to the town centre, beach and other major points of interest. Additionally, buses connect Bournemouth to nearby towns like Christchurch, Poole, and Wimborne, making it easy to explore Dorset. National Express coaches provide connections to several destinations across the UK, including London.
Bournemouth by train
Bournemouth Railway Station offers direct train services to many locations, including Southampton, Winchester and Bristol. You can also get the train to London Waterloo with journey times as fast as 97 minutes.
Additional ways to explore Bournemouth
Discover Bournemouth’s charming coastline, beautiful gardens and vibrant town centre on foot or by bike. Explore the Bournemouth Pier, stroll along the award-winning beaches or cycle through the picturesque Lower Gardens.
There is also the Bournemouth Explorer Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, which is a great way to explore the city on a day trip or if you are moving down this way and want to get your bearings. This hop-on, hop-off service allows you to explore Bournemouth’s major attractions, including key landmarks like Bournemouth Pier, the Lower Gardens and Sandbanks Beach, with commentary along the way.
You can also take the ferry across Poole Harbour from Bournemouth to explore the historic town of Poole or venture further to Brownsea Island, a wildlife haven.
Transport to London
National Express coaches take you to London for a budget-friendly price, with journeys taking approximately 3 hours. Alternatively, as mentioned above, you can take the train from Bournemouth Railway Station to London Waterloo; journey times range from 97 minutes to just over 2 hours, depending on the service.
Transport to Airports
The closest major airport is Bournemouth International Airport, located just outside the town centre. Several airlines operate from here and offer travel to a variety of domestic and international destinations. Alternatively, Southampton Airport, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport are also accessible by train or coach from Bournemouth, providing additional options for air travel.
Schools in Bournemouth
Bournemouth is one of the few local authorities in England to still maintain selective education. The town is home to 26 primary schools, two grammar schools and ten secondary schools. There are also several independent schools as well as a further education college and two well-regarded universities.
Things to do in Bournemouth
With seven miles of sandy beaches, the coastal town of Bournemouth offers a whole host of activities and attractions for you to enjoy. If you’re new to the area, you can get your bearings by taking a city sightseeing bus tour, taking you along the beautiful south coast and sharing fascinating facts about Bournemouth.
Notable attractions include Swanage Railway, Dorset Adventure Park, The Bournemouth Aquarium and the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. Bournemouth also has a popular high street with well-known shops and department stores, independent boutiques and restaurants and cafes.
Shopping in Bournemouth
Bournemouth caters to a range of shopping needs, offering a delightful blend of high-street staples, independent gems and seaside charm. Bournemouth’s vibrant town centre boasts a bustling high street lined with familiar brands, providing a convenient hub for everyday essentials like clothing, footwear, homeware, and health & beauty products.
Beyond the high street, Bournemouth shines with a treasure trove of independent shops. Southbourne Grove is a haven for independent shops and Bournemouth’s Art & Makers Market is home to handcrafted gifts and artisan jewellery. The Lower Gardens Arcade offers a charming collection of independent shops and cafes, perfect for a leisurely shopping stroll.
Stock your pantry in Bournemouth’s major supermarkets and local stores; there are plenty of independent delicatessens and fishmongers offering fresh local produce and gourmet specialities too. The Bournemouth Farmers Market, held on Landseer Road on the first Saturday of the month, is an opportunity to meet local producers and source seasonal ingredients.
For a wider variety of stores, the Castlepoint Shopping Park is located on the outskirts of Bournemouth and offers a range of stores, including major supermarkets and furniture giants.
Many Bournemouth neighbourhoods have a number of local shops servicing your everyday needs close to home.
Bournemouth History
Where Bournemouth now stands was just heathland until the early 19th century. Lewis Tregonwell was regarded as the founder of Bournemouth in 1810, when he visited the beach with his wife, who later persuaded him to build a house there. Later in 1836, Sir George Tapps-Gervis created a resort at Bournemouth with villas for families to hire during the summer months. By 1840, a little village began to establish itself here, building work continued and the population grew.
The famous Bournemouth pier started as a wooden jetty in 1855, later being replaced by an iron version in 1880. It was also Bournemouth that invented the modern beach hut as we know today, and near the Bournemouth Seafront Office, you can see the first beach hut that was built in 1909 marked with a blue plaque.
Is Bournemouth a nice place to live?
Yes, Bournemouth is a beautiful and vibrant place to live. There’s always so much going on and plenty to sea, and the stunning miles of sandy beaches speak for themselves.
If you’re moving to Bournemouth to live, settle down and work, Titan Storage are here for you. We have a variety of flexible storage solutions that are helpful and convenient during a house move. Whether you want immediate short-term storage, or long-term storage for those items that don’t have a place in your home at the moment, get in touch to see how we can help.
What is the average age in Bournemouth?
The average age of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is 42, according to the latest census data; this is slightly older than the national average.
What is the population size of Bournemouth?
For the area of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the population is slightly over 400,000, up from 379k ten years prior.
