Overlooking seven glorious miles of coastline, Bournemouth is an iconic British seaside destination with plenty to offer all year round. Whilst the resort may be well known for its pier and colourful beach huts, there's plenty to be explored off the beaten track.
This summer, I spent a weekend staycation there, but instead of packing in as much as possible, I took a slower approach. This included a relaxing stay at a boutique eco-hotel, a tour of an award-winning, Dorset-based vineyard and taking a ferry to a much-loved restaurant.
Day 1 in Bournemouth: Morning
After a two-and-a-half-hour coach journey from London, I headed to my hotel.
The Green House Hotel did not disappoint, located a short walk from the station and a stone's throw from the beach. Nestled on a quiet street, the boutique hotel is a beautifully restored 32-room, Grade II Victorian villa.
The hotel has won multiple awards for its sustainability efforts, and in 2019 Expedia named it in a list of the world’s top 10 most eco-friendly hotels (the only UK hotel to be listed).
From the furnishings and food suppliers to energy use, the hotel has tried to address the environmental consequences of every single decision and, better still, they're transparent about their efforts. This includes the garden which incorporates native plant species, the locally-sourced restaurant menu, and the use of reclaimed furniture. From hairdryers to milk, every little detail has been considered.
Day 1 in Bournemouth: Afternoon
The afternoon saw me take a tour of a local, award-winning vineyard. English Oak Vineyard produces critically acclaimed English Oak Sparkling Wines and is committed to sustainable, boutique-scale, low-density planting and winemaking.
Named 'Dorset Environmental Business of the Year 2019' the vineyard aims to have the smallest carbon footprint possible and to do so, deliberately focuses its sales and marketing on restaurants and hotels within a 50-mile radius. Energy comes from solar panels, whilst the packaging is reused and recycled as much as possible. The removal of barbed wire and electric fences allows wildlife to roam unhindered.
Guided by the owners themselves (welcoming and knowledgable husband and wife team, Andrew and Sarah), our group wandered through 23,000 (yes, you read that correctly) vines, learning about everything from grape varieties to the pruning process.
Back in the visitor's centre, it was time to taste their award-winning wines – for me, a real highlight. We also learnt how their wine is made, from harvest all the way through to bottling, something which even the most casual wine drinker will find intriguing.
Their tours run on Fridays and Saturdays from June until September and cost £20 per person (which includes both the tour and the wine tasting).
Day 1 in Bournemouth: Evening
The early evening was the perfect time to explore Bournemouth Beach, a vast expanse of golden sand, only minutes from the hotel.
Back at the hotel, I headed downstairs to the Arbor Restaurant, which boasts not one, but two Rosettes awarded by the AA. Much like the rest of the hotel, sustainability is at the heart of everything they do, so their menus change regularly to make the most of local, seasonal produce.
Day 2 in Bournemouth: Morning
One of my favourite things about the hotel was its attention to small, but sustainable details. My morning bubble bath (compulsory when staying at hotels, I believe) avoided unnecessary waste as the hotel provided full-sized products (rather than disposable miniatures). The biscuits in my room had been freshly made by the hotel's pastry chef and were stored in a recycled glass jar. Instead of mini fridges or UHT milk, my morning brew was made with fresh milk from a refillable chilled flask.
Eggs Florentine was next on the agenda, and I took a leisurely breakfast, again in the Arbor Restaurant.
Day 2 in Bournemouth: Afternoon
It was time to explore more of what Dorset had to offer, and my day took me on a leisurely open-top bus ride to the picturesque village of Studland, located on the Isle of Purbeck. As this is a peninsula, the bus ride there included a trip on the Sandbanks Ferry (you stay seated for the duration). For those with a bike or planning a walk, you can also board the ferry as a foot passenger for a modest fee of £1.
After a scenic journey, I arrived at my destination: The Pig - on the beach. Situated in a tranquil spot overlooking the coast, it was the perfect spot for an indulgent (yet sustainable) lunch.
Their '25 Mile Menu' is driven by the produce grown in their kitchen garden and greenhouse, as well as what is available from local Dorset suppliers – this spans everything from locally sourced venison to freshly caught fish. They even have a resident forager, who scours the surrounding forest and coastline, collecting seaweed and wild salad in the spring, and nuts, berries and mushrooms in the autumn.
The Pig guarantees that at least 80% of the ingredients used in their kitchen have been sourced from the surrounding area. In fact, The map on the back of their menu shows not only their suppliers but exactly how many miles away they are.
An after-lunch walk was needed, so I opted to take a breezy walk along Sandy Beach, which sits just to the left of The Pig. Once I had soaked in the fresh air and coastal scenery, it was time to head back to the bus and return to Bournemouth.
Day 3 in Bournemouth: Evening
There was still time to make the most of Bournemouth and explore its sandy expanse of coastline. There's almost too much choice, as the town boasts five Blue Flag-award-winning beaches: Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk, Manor Steps and Southbourne.
Once my legs had been completely stretched, it was time to bring my staycation to a close. After collecting my luggage from The Green House Hotel, I strolled back to the coach station, thoroughly refreshed.
