Summer is around the corner, the sun is out and it's time to head to the beach. With its sandy beaches, impressive pier, seaside charm and lively nightlife, Bournemouth has something for everyone.

Sleep

Sea, sun and sleep tend to be a prerogative for weekenders escaping the city. Luckily, catching your zzzz should be easy with Bournemouth’s hundreds of hotels waiting open-armed.

If you’re the luxurious type, the Duke of Norfolk’s former residence surely appeals. Harking back to Bournemouth’s gilded Edwardian past, the Norfolk Hotel is a four star, Grade II-listed villa, that offers Edwardian elegance with a contemporary twist. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous art-deco veranda that opens up on balmy summer evenings. On a smaller scale, the Urban Beach is a modern and upbeat hotel, with attached bistro. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and have accents of Japanese-influenced glamour throughout. Cocktails are a must.

If travelling with kids, check into the Living Room, an award-winning boutique B&B. Each of its quirky seven bedrooms are decorated in differing styles. Bournemouth is also home to the unusual Chocolate Hotel, which is decorated with sumptuous mocha notes throughout (chocolate fountains and champagne are mandatory). and there are workshops are dedicated to the fine art of truffle making.

Shop

Beach-bums will no doubt want to explore more of the Jurassic Coast.

At the apex of the town’s vast shopping empire sits the historic Bournemouth Arcade. Built in 1866 by Henry Joy, it was a place where the well-heeled could be spotted in their fashionable clobber, picking up designer wares. Today you can retrace their steps, as the Victorian-inspired Sweet Thoughts confectionery shop can be found tucked away on the left of the arcade. A delight for sugar-hungry sticky-fingered children, its walls are lined with jars of garish penny sweets and jaw-breaking gobstoppers.

If you’re a magpie, head to Platform 19 for thrifty bliss. Off the beaten track, it’s a glorious shop stuffed with antiques and curiosities that allows you to browse while sipping a latte and tucking into a bubble and squeak brunch. If you are there on a Saturday, you could even purchase their vintage tandem bicycle and pedal off towards the quarterly Boscombe Vintage Market in the Royal Boscombe Arcade, where you’ll find local designers and an assortment of handmade goods, vintage wares and bric-a-brac.

If you’re a record enthusiast and have an eye for a bargain, it’s definitely also worth seeking out Red Rose Records in Boscombe, which deals in new and second-hand vinyl, with a discounted room stacked with 45’ and LPs for £2 or less. For all those not in the know, Bournemouth also has a thriving skate scene, and Consortium has the best gear in the south. With a selection of brands such as RVCA and Obey, this shop does sharp streetwear well.

Beach-bums will no doubt want to explore more of the Jurassic Coast. If you find yourself heading towards Poole, stop off at Coast as it’s a surfer’s paradise. It acts both as café and shop – you can order a fresh coffee while checking out their locally sourced menu before you head to the beach. The back of the shop has an eye-popping range of surf, skate and motorbike products from trendy international brands, and there’s also a tattoo parlour out the back for the more adventurous shopper.

Eat

Delicious, freshly-caught seafood is permanently etched onto the specials board

Sat directly to the east of the Jurassic Coast, Bournemouth has a foodie culture that firmly revolves around its seasonal catch. Which, luckily, means that delicious freshly caught seafood is permanently etched onto the specials board. This coastal town is dotted with Breton striped, rustic beachside eateries that favour a laid-back approach. A 15 minute bike ride from the centre of town is Cruel Sea, a seafood bar and kitchen set up by local legend, ‘Dorset Oysters’ Pete Miles. It’s a net-to-plate kind of joint, with baked oysters and Lyme Bay scallops and chorizo arriving tapas-style, accompanied by a selection of local brews and wines.

If you want to really push the boat out, you have two choices. The Crab is one of the best places to eat in Bournemouth, its unfussy dining and heaped fruits de mer platters – precariously stacked with oysters, cockles and clams – reel in the locals. Right on the beachfront sits Westbeach – unrivalled in its scenic ocean views, this restaurant is a local gem. Mussels are served in a creamy parmesan sauce and the grey mullet comes with aubergine purée and chorizo. Pull up a deck chair, as you’ll probably be here a while.

If you’re after something low-key with an urban vibe, try out South Coast Roast. It serves coffee and ample portions of toasted sourdough, loaded with crushed avocado and chilli flakes, in a relaxed environment. Small but extremely cosy, Espresso Kitchen also whips up artisan coffees and homemade cakes, much to the delight of small children and scruffy mutts who are waiting wide-eyed. For a slice of quintessential Dorset charm, Little Pickle Deli Cafe can also be counted for a good ol’ fashioned cream tea. Although famous for its lemon and herb sausage rolls, it’s very veggie friendly – you’ll be tempted to order everything.

Drink

The ‘clubbing capital of the south coast’ loves a party

Given its recent styling as the ‘clubbing capital of the south coast’– probably something to do with the Bournemouth University students and the abundance of hens and stags that appear at the weekends – it’s obvious Bournemouth loves a party. It’s a family affair over at the rustic Firkin Shed. As Bournemouth’s first ‘micropub’, it boasts an impressive selection of real ales straight from the cask, sourced from local independent breweries and some further afield. No loud music, just the occasional acoustic hum. A dad-pleaser for sure.

For day-to-night, try the slick So-Bar; a cornerstone of Bournemouth nightlife, it has a large outdoor terrace and glitzy cocktails. If indie music and soft leather sofas are more your vibe, Sixty Million Postcards is a kind of quasi dive-bar, specialising in burgers, beers and live music.

Carrying on the party, Bournemouth has a lot to offer in terms of 2am hotspots. Newly opened Canvas is a stylish loft bar, with a music lounge and annexed eatery to boot. Subtly swanky, this bar attracts a hip, older set, with live funk, soul and jazz playing. Exposed brick walls and blood-red sofas all add up to make this one class act. Elsewhere, Halo holds court as one of Bournemouth’s biggest superclubs. Housed in an old church, it’s the answer to most clubbers’ prayers, with its unique interior space and unparalleled capacity. Nearby, you’ll find The Old Fire Station. Playing a broad range of musical genres, from disco to dub, it’s a veritable variety-show. Drinks are inexpensive and the sound system is deafening, which means it’s usually frequented by students.

Getting there

Bournemouth is a three-hour coach journey from London, and the cheapest tickets are available with National Express from £5 one-way, nationalexpress.com; single train fares are available from £11 from London to Bournemouth, book in advance via thetrainline.com