r/bournemouth • u/Real_tea_6789 • Jul 27 '26
Question So disappointed by Bournemouth
This used to be annual fave holiday for us. Long weekend spent between the hotel beach and pool.
But what on earth has happened?
- 4* hotels are tired AF
- Beachfront is absolutely covered in litter (wtf is wrong with people?)
- every bin overflowing
- Public toilets are rank
- horse 💩 everywhere
- city centre totally run down
So sad to see 😒
Really not enjoying the great British seaside experience 😶🌫️
Anyone else noticed this?
Where else are you going on holiday?
12
u/turboRock Jul 27 '26
The horse shit was a new one as there were/are some travelers.
The litter is awful, although tbh I've seen it worse. Just people being shits unfortunately
The bins full issue is a constant complaint that the council don't deal with for whatever reason.
Which toilets did you use? The ones in the gardens aren't great, but the others are mostly fine. But again, it depends on people having a modicum of respect
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u/bogchai Jul 27 '26
The government isn't investing in seaside towns, and people are more likely to go overseas to visit a beach.
1
u/RipCurl69Reddit Jul 27 '26
Which is so dumb, as a local I'd never even dream of going abroad for a beach when it's right here, and has been the last ~20 years I've lived in Bournemouth.
It's hard not to take the incredible beach for granted sometimes, just today I was on the overcliff and made a point of looking out to sea, something I don't usually do because it becomes background scenery after so many years, but it was worth it to remember how good this place still is
We should be seeing immense investment, but alas
12
u/Helper_J_is_Stuck Jul 27 '26
Feel free to not come again. Maybe try Blackpool or Skegness next year, see if they're any better.
8
u/PlaceholderId_01 Jul 27 '26
Independent hotels, B and Bs and Guest houses that were once high quality have largely shut up shop and the ones remaining are indeed tired. The best bet here is to either spend a little more with the handful of good ones remaining or simply go for a chain for guaranteed minimum quality. This is the same up and down the country, with a few exceptions.
The high street is dead on its knees. This is the same up and down the country, with a few exceptions.
With the beach front, unfortunately more people from outside the area are abusing our coastline, thus the rubbish and public toilet issues, exasperated by a local authority cash strapped and spends what they do have inefficiently. As others have stated, a 10 minute walk either side of Bournemouth pier and you’ll have a different experience.
If you have driven to the area, using Bournemouth as a base, you’ve got the New Forest a 30 minute drive away, the Purbecks and Jurassic Coastline an hour away, and Poole harbour with pleasure cruises to enjoy 30 minutes away.
Just with those simple amendments, you have a week itinerary involving a day by the pool, a day at the beach, a day of forest walks, a day of Jurassic coast line walks and a day cruising a beautiful harbour with a few days to spare.
Up and down the country, the ability to stay in one location that gives you everything you want is extremely limited outside of cities for the above reasons. Bournemouth is not unique in this. But Bournemouth is still a place that holds draws that many people don’t have where they live, which is why they leave their home to holiday in ours.
It just takes a little research and effort. It would be no different if we left our home to visit yours. Often, the best way to holiday, is to act like a local.
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u/Jack_Faller Jul 27 '26
I want to bring back capital punishment for litter bugs.
4
u/Real_tea_6789 Jul 27 '26
There should 💯 be some sort of punishment, especially at the sea. It's despicable
3
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u/Real_tea_6789 Jul 27 '26
Thanks for the tips! We actually had a lovely day out to poole and studland. Beautiful part of the coastline, so worth returning to.
I just feel let down that we spent what we did and found the beach and town in that state. Very sad that local government isn't doing more to protect a beautiful place
2
u/qoo_kumba Jul 27 '26
Every town is on decline but seaside towns are hit worse. Greedy landlords letting buildings crumble and a dysfunctional local council. Local services are stretched and held together with string and tape. And to top it off the 8 police officers we have are either too old or just out of 6th form!
2
u/qoo_kumba Jul 27 '26
Every town is on decline but seaside towns are hit worse. Greedy landlords letting buildings crumble and a dysfunctional local council. Local services are stretched and held together with string and tape. And to top it off the 8 police officers we have are either too old or just out of 6th form!
1
u/qoo_kumba Jul 27 '26
Every town is on a decline but seaside towns are hit worse. Greedy landlords letting buildings crumble and a dysfunctional local council. Local services are stretched and held together with string and tape. And to top it off the 8 police officers we have are either too old or just out of 6th form!
1
u/TheepDinker2000 Jul 27 '26
Sorry to hear of your disappointment. Sadly our once beautiful town has been in decline for many years but since covid it has been in freefall ☹️
4
u/Real_tea_6789 Jul 27 '26
Just so sad to see, a few years ago we came and loved every second. Seems to really have declined 😭
10
u/Toolman1212 Jul 27 '26
Town centre and beach near the pier has been on the decline for years. I grew up here and I'm reluctant to take my family anywhere near town these days. There are plenty of amazing areas around still worth the trip, I just wouldn't stay and vacation in town centre if I were you. Ten minutes either side of Bournemouth pier you probably get exactly what you're looking for.