5 Hostels in Bournemouth, England

About Bournemouth

Bournemouth is a quintessential British seaside town with its Victorian pier, a smattering of tea rooms and the waft of fish and chips in the air. It’s blessed with 7 miles of yellow sands and a seafront promenade, making it perfect for daytime strolls. Away from its sandy shores, there’s an energetic nightlife scene thanks to its young university crowd and a host of cultural events throughout the year. 

Most Bournemouth hostels put you within walking distance of the beach. You’ll find stays in the town’s historic buildings with decadent living rooms with original fireplaces as well as renovated houses with modern communal kitchens. Some have private en-suite bedrooms, while others have shared dorms. Expect hostels in Bournemouth with free Wi-Fi, free breakfast and fun events like movie nights. 

Bournemouth's show-stopper is its Victorian pier. Along with classic British charm, it has ice-cream shops, an arcade, a bar and a zip wire. The town centre is just behind the beach and is packed with places to eat and shop. A short walk away is Westbourne, which has more of a village feel with its vintage tea shops and boutiques. A 30-minute stroll along the seafront will take you to Boscombe and its pier. Home to the Coastal Activity Park, you’ll find outdoor activities like paddle boarding, surfing and climbing.

Activities in Bournemouth include exploring some of its Blue Flag beaches. East of the main pier are the iconic multi-coloured beach huts and to the west is the quieter beach Alum Chine. Check out its tropical gardens while you’re here. The beaches are linked to a 20-mile-long coastal path which goes all the way to the nature reserve at Hengistbury Head. Back in town, you can browse the vintage shops on Christchurch Road, or wander around the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum: a beautiful Victorian villa full of art. 

You can fly into Bournemouth Airport (a 15-minute ride away), as well as London Gatwick Airport or Bristol Airport. From London Gatwick, head to Waterloo Station and take the train to Bournemouth – the journey is about 2 hours. From Bristol airport, you’ll need connecting bus to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. The train ride from here is about 3.5 hours. Bournemouth has two bus companies which cover all the major shopping areas. You could also see the sights by hiring a bike for a ride along the town’s designated cycle paths.