Holiday rentals and lettings in Bournemouth

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday let in Bournemouth?
• Holiday lettings in Bournemouth: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Bournemouth: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Bournemouth?

• Lettings for every group: Bournemouth's self-catering properties cover romantic weekends, family holidays and big group getaways alike.
• Where to base yourself: Stay in the buzzing town centre by the pier, the quieter beaches of Branksome and Canford Cliffs, or the old-world charm of nearby Christchurch.
• Guest-approved stays: Our top-rated Bournemouth lettings score a perfect 10.0, with guests praising sea views, spacious cottages and easy walks down to the golden sand.
• Best time to visit: A mild micro-climate brings the warmest sea in the country; summer is liveliest, whilst late spring and autumn offer sunshine and far smaller crowds.
• Plenty to do: Beyond the award-winning beach you'll find the Oceanarium, the pier zip wire, Alum Chine and day trips to the Jurassic Coast and Corfe Castle.

Couples can book snug seafront studios in Bournemouth, families go for roomy holiday cottages and self-catering apartments near the beach, and larger groups can spread out in six- and seven-bedroom holiday homes with gardens and parking. Most lettings come generously equipped, with sought-after extras including:

• Wi-Fi throughout
• Private gardens or balconies, many with sea views over Poole Bay
• Off-road parking
• Pet-friendly homes

Last-minute Bournemouth lettings are ideal if you're looking for a spontaneous beach getaway at short notice.

What are the best areas to stay in Bournemouth?

The best base depends on your plans, but Bournemouth town centre puts the pier, beach and nightlife on your doorstep. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Across Bournemouth, visitors consistently praise the easy beach access, the generous space and the warm welcome from local hosts.

Here are our top-rated holiday lettings from the past year:

1. Stourcliffe House - 10.0: A spacious six-bedroom cottage in Christchurch, sleeping up to eleven, with a private garden and an easy run to the coast — ideal for large families.
2. Chine Heights - 10.0: A bright three-bedroom cottage near the chines in Bournemouth, sleeping six, with golden sand and Alum Chine just a short walk away.
3. Beachcliff – On the Seafront with Two Balconies - 10.0: A seafront apartment in Christchurch with two balconies and sweeping sea views, perfect for couples and families who want the waves on their doorstep.

Bournemouth sits on the south coast of England in Dorset, facing Poole Bay and the English Channel, with seven miles of sandy beach running between Hengistbury Head and the entrance to Poole Harbour.

✈️What is the best way to get to Bournemouth?

Bournemouth is easy to reach by road, rail or air. Here are the most common ways to get to the town:

• Car: From London, follow the M3 and then the M27 westbound before joining the A31 and the A338 Spur Road straight into town, a drive of roughly two hours. Travellers from the Midlands and the South West come in on the A35.
• Train: Direct South Western Railway services run from London Waterloo to Bournemouth in under two hours, continuing on to Poole and Weymouth. The train station is about a mile from the beach, with regular buses and taxis to the seafront. Services from Birmingham and the North connect easily via Southampton Central.
• Plane: Bournemouth Airport, around six miles north of the centre, handles seasonal flights from a number of UK and European cities. The larger Southampton Airport is roughly 30 minutes away by train.

🥗Where to eat in Bournemouth?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, West Beach is the best-rated restaurant in Bournemouth. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Grace and Tom recommend Ojo Rojo in Bournemouth: this buzzy taqueria serves vibrant small plates and mezcal cocktails a short walk from the beach, and is perfect for a relaxed evening after a day on the sand.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

Bournemouth enjoys one of the mildest micro-climates in the country and around 7.7 hours of sunshine a day in high summer. July and August are the warmest and liveliest months, but late May, June and September bring fine weather with far fewer crowds and lower rates.

Summer (June to August)

• Best for: Beach days, families and the full seaside buzz.
• Weather: Warm and bright, with the warmest sea temperatures in the UK.
• Atmosphere: Lively and busy, with events along the pier and seafront.

Autumn (September to November)

• Best for: Couples and walkers wanting quieter clifftops.
• Weather: Mild early on, turning crisp, with golden light over the bay.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and uncrowded, with noticeably lower letting prices.

Spring (March to May)

• Best for: Garden lovers and budget-conscious travellers.
• Weather: Fresh and increasingly sunny, ideal for coastal walks.
• Atmosphere: Calm and reviving as the resort wakes for the season.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Bournemouth local expert, Katie of Chine Heights, recommends an early morning stroll through Alum Chine to the tropical garden before the beach fills up, followed by coffee on the clifftop overlooking Poole Bay. You can read more about local tips on Katie's page.

1. Stroll the iconic Bournemouth Pier
2. Meet the marine life at the Oceanarium
3. Wander down Alum Chine
4. Take a day trip to the Isle of Purbeck
5. Catch live music in the town's great venues

1. Stroll the iconic Bournemouth Pier

   Bournemouth's award-winning pier is the heart of the seafront, lined with amusements, cafes and theatre shows. Walk to the end for sweeping views back across the bay, then take the plunge on PierZip, the world's first pier-to-shore zip wire, which sends you flying high over the sand to the beach below.

2. Meet the marine life at the Oceanarium

   Right beside the pier, the Oceanarium brings you face to face with the ocean across twelve themed environments. Families can watch penguins, sharks, stingrays and iguanas, follow daily feeding talks and explore an immersive underwater tunnel. Combine it with neighbouring Splashdown Waterpark for a full day of family fun close to the beach.

3. Wander down Alum Chine

   The leafy ravine of Alum Chine is one of Bournemouth's loveliest walks, winding gently down a forested river valley towards the sea. At the bottom you will find a charming tropical garden, with subtropical planting that thrives in the resort's mild micro-climate, plus a sandy beach and good facilities. The clifftop paths reward you with glorious views along the coast towards the Isle of Wight.

4. Take a day trip to the Isle of Purbeck

   Hop on the early ferry from Sandbanks and spend a day exploring the Isle of Purbeck. Hunt for fossils along the Jurassic Coast, England's only natural World Heritage Site, which stretches west towards the campsites of Devon, then visit the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle, with breathtaking views over the Dorset countryside. Pretty villages, steam trains and sweeping beaches make Purbeck one of the best days out from Bournemouth.

5. Catch live music in the town's great venues

   Bournemouth is one of the UK's best places for live music, with three major venues within easy reach. The Pavilion Theatre, with its sublime Art Deco styling, is worth a look even when nothing is on, whilst the O2 Academy and the BIC host everything from touring bands to comedy and West End shows.