January 2020 Release

4th February 2020

Offering nearly 15 miles of glorious beaches and some of the UK’s most stunning coastline the destination of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in Dorset is a must visit for 2020.

The destination’s 2019 event calendar ended with a fantastic winter attraction, Christmas Tree Wonderland, which was preceded by another incredible free four-day air festival at the end of August. Media coverage exceeded all expectations with a number of high-profile social media influencers seizing the opportunity to discover what the destination has to offer. This was all topped off with Bournemouth  being awarded, for the third time , Winner of the British Travel Awards ‘Best UK Seaside Town’.

Perceptions may once have been that of sleepy and (literally) retiring but the three powerhouse resorts, now combined as one, are set to embrace their fresh, modern, cosmopolitan status whilst proudly holding onto their rich heritage, history and culture – it’s certainly not what you might have thought and the old perceptions are ready to be challenged and quashed in south coast style!

Between them Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole offer the chance for families, couples, friends and groups to explore, escape, experience, learn more, switch off, go wild and give back. Embracing the latest travel trends, the destination offers a plethora of delicious food and drink, superb festivals and events, a rich tapestry of history and heritage, impressive art and culture and thrilling outdoors activities and watersports.

The delicious array of food and drink is in abundance - from award-winning restaurants to gin distilleries and family favourite restaurants.  Local farms and fisheries bring a variety of produce into the resorts and it’s no surprise that the seafood is among the best in the country. Adding to the already established award-winning fish restaurants Mitch Tonks, with business partner Mat Prowse, will be opening their eighth Rockfish restaurant in Poole (Jan 20).

The annual calendar of events and festivals is bursting at the seams – across the destination you can find the finest of food festivals, free family entertainment, fitness challenges and first class live music. Highlights include Christmas Tree Wonderland, the Health-on-Line Bay Run, Arts by the Sea Festival, Christchurch Food Festival, Mudeford Seafood Festival, Bournemouth Air Festival, Sandpolo, SandFest 2020 and the return of the brilliant bi-annual Inside Out Arts Festival.

The coastal location which, given its temperate conditions, has been referred to as having its own microclimate is ideal for embracing the great outdoors and watersports! From Poole, through Bournemouth and on to Christchurch, ditch the office hours and swap the boardroom for a surf board or stand up paddle board.  Grab your rucksack, put on your hiking boots and head out on one of the many stunning coastal walks or just enjoy being at the beach!

Nothing beats the freedom of the great outdoors, salt water on your face, wind in your hair - be invigorated and escape the mundane! 

Dorset is the gateway to the awesome World Heritage Jurassic Coast and Poole is home to the world’s second largest natural harbour and beautiful Brownsea Island. 

The coastal resorts are home to a vibrant history of smuggling and pirate heritage, some of it dating back to the 18^th century.  There is a wealth of impressive Anglo-Saxon history and plenty of stately homes, churches, gardens, museums and castles, each with their own story, just waiting to be discovered – one such castle is Lulworth, home to the awesome Camp Bestival.

As well as being rich in young and upcoming creative inspiration at the Arts University and Bournemouth University, a host of talent is regularly unveiled at the annual BFX Festival.  The art and culture scene is impressive from stunning venues with a calendar of live music, performances and exhibitions to art deco buildings and galleries. 2020 sees the Arts by the Sea Festival, Light Up Poole, Inside Out Dorset Festival and the Pre Raphaelite exhibition "Beyond the Brotherhood" takes up a four-month residence at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.

Boasting nearly 15 miles of golden sand, countless Blue Flag and Seaside Awards the beaches of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are dotted with unique chines – narrow ravines that are peculiar to Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Here you’ll also find the famous Mudeford Spit, an exclusive sandbank, home to the UK’s most expensive beach huts.

If you can’t stretch to a beach hut purchase then don’t worry, there is a fantastic selection of accommodation available, from boutique hotels to B&Bs, rooms with stunning cliff top vistas and, in Bournemouth, the unique Beach Lodges offering the ultimate beach front escape.

The destination is just a two -hour train journey from London Waterloo – so book your coast with the most experience and get ready to explore, escape, experience, learn more, switch off, go wild and give back!

To find out more about the Coast with the Most or to discuss a press trip please contact the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism PR Team
E: pr@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
T: 01202 451750
W: coastwiththemost.com