Bournemouth Holiday Rentals

Laid-back, beachy Bournemouth is located in a bay on the south coast of England, in the picturesque county of Dorset and just east of the Jurassic Coast National Heritage Site. Its 7 miles of sandy coastline, enviable selection of outdoor activities and welcoming ambience make it the perfect destination for a family-friendly break, and with Expedia's unbeatable deals on holiday homes, Bournemouth is your oyster. So whether your idea of the perfect trip is lounging on the sand or gliding past the pier on a zip line, you're bound to find something that floats your boat, from chic city-centre apartments with up-to-the-minute amenities, to cosy cottages with log fires.

Boasting its very own microclimate due to its sheltered location surrounded by cliffs, Bournemouth is the perfect place to hit the beach. The town pays homage to its heritage as a traditional British seaside town with the obligatory stripy deckchairs and pastel-coloured beach huts, but its 4 Blue Flag beaches are a destination in their own right, each with its own distinct identity. Serene Alum Chine, for instance, is set slightly away from the town and boasts a tropical garden as well as a kids' playground behind its wide sandy beach. Alternatively, head to Fisherman's Walk to enjoy pristine sands and a spectacular cliff-top nature trail studded with wild flowers.

If you're planning a seaside trip and are looking for holiday homes or apartments in Bournemouth, it's worth remembering that you don't have to go to the beach to experience the great outdoors here; the town also has over 2,000 acres of parks, which are perfect for strolling. The most famous green spaces are the Upper, Central and Lower Gardens, which feature trees, shrubs and colourful floral displays, and play host to a range of events and concerts.

Enjoy a great seaside break in Bournemouth, whatever the weather

The British weather is notoriously unpredictable, but Bournemouth has a great selection of activities for rainy days. Kids will love the Oceanarium on the seafront, which boasts an impressive collection of marine life including cute penguins, playful otters and menacing sharks. Alternatively, for some old-fashioned family fun, take shelter in the pier's amusement arcade. When the sky clears, jump aboard the miniature railway's charming Land Train to travel in style to Boscombe Pier. Or, if the weather's stubborn, why not embrace getting wet? Bournemouth is a surfer's paradise, so slip on your wetsuit and catch some gnarly waves.

Bournemouth's town centre is renowned for its Victorian vibe, which harks back to the town's past as a popular spa town in the 1800s. Its compact size means it's perfect for strolling, or you can take a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour to see the sites on your own schedule. Architecture buffs will marvel at the dramatic 202-foot Gothic spire of St Peter's Church, while bookworms will love Westbourne, a pretty district just west of the town centre where Robert Louis Stevenson penned ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. The fun continues after dark, when Bournemouth's bars, pubs and clubs come to life and draw in diverse crowds of revellers, from the hen and stag parties who flock to the lively venues on Old Christchurch Road, to elegant couples enjoying a flutter in the town's casinos. And with Expedia's great range of holiday rentals in Bournemouth, you can enjoy a night out safe in the knowledge that you've got a convenient place to lay your head.

Check out another classic British seaside town with our guide to holiday rentals in Blackpool, or, if you fancy a great city break, get the lowdown on holiday rentals in Cambridge.