Spring’s the time to head to the south coast!

Cycle through flower-filled, award-winning gardens, between them, the three resorts offer an oasis away from the crowds and best of all, it’s completely free! 

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, aka the Coast with the Most, buzz year-round but in spring, carpeted with thousands of acres of parks and gardens, they burst into colour. 

Stroll from Bournemouth Pier through the immaculate Lower Gardens to the flower-filled Middle Gardens and Coy Pond to the Upper Gardens, which includes a North American Giant Redwood amongst its abundant trees. 

The River Bourne cuts through the gardens and you’ll encounter tennis courts, children’s playground, pergola and outstanding spring flowers, shrubs, cherry blossoms and Rhododendrons – the perfect escape from the bustle of the shops or seafront. 

The Bourne Valley Greenway cycle route runs through the Central Gardens all the way to Branksome, hop on your bike or hire one in town. 

Five miles east, the ruins of Christchurch Castle is a great place to get off the beaten track, wander through the Priory gardens to the quay.  And just a few miles west, Poole Park boasts 110 acres of green space, filled with beautiful lakes, a saltwater lagoon and huge play parks.   

Nearby Compton Acres is one of the most impressive gardens on the south coast, don’t miss the stunning and authentic Japanese Garden. 

Lined with colourful beach huts, cool cafes and boasting two beautiful harbours, re-energise in the spring sunshine and score the best tables with open sea views 

If you’re on the south coast, the beaches are the draw.  Sleep with only the sounds of the waves at a Bournemouth Beach Lodge, fully fitted with smart kitchens, bathrooms and flat-screen TVs.  

Bournemouth is home to the UK’s first beach hut, stroll along the prom past hundreds of colourful huts, stop off for coffee and on to Boscombe Pier, wonderfully amusement free, all the way to Hengistbury Head Nature Reservewith stunning views to the Isle of Wight, the Purbecks and Christchurch Harbour. 

Take the land-train from Hengistbury Head to Mudeford, its spectacular setting with Christchurch Harbour on one side and open sea on the other, popular for sailing and windsailing. 

Stop for something to eat at Mudeford Quay, let the kids go crabbing from the quayside, nets and bait available.  A short walk from here are the family-friendly, sandy beaches of Gundimore, Avon Beach and Friars Cliff offering cafes and beach huts for hire. 

If you’re staying in Poole or simply want to explore another beach, Sandbanks offers jaw-dropping views across Poole Bay and Brownsea Island.  Its lush golden sands are perfect for a spring stroll, there’s a designated area for dogs. If you’re a wild swimmer, this beach has maintained a Blue Flag for 35 years!  

All that sea-air is sure to sharpen your appetite, you’ll find world-class dining here as you’d expect with the peninsula’s wealthy and famous residents.  

However, given this is the time for spring showers, indoor attractions are a must.  

Opulent Highcliffe Castle is well worth visiting, restored after two fires, this romantic Grade 1 listed impressive building has a fascinating history, at one time home to the wild-living Harry Selfridge, owner of the department store. 

Bournemouth’s Russell-Cotes Museum is a hidden gem, a 1901 dreamhouse of Merton Russell Cotes who gave it as a lavish birthday present to his wife Annie. In addition to changing exhibitions, it is crammed with beautiful objects from the owner’s global travels, the walls lined with impressive British art. 

Poole’s Lighthouse Centre for the Arts is the largest arts centre outside London, check out its packed film, comedy and theatre production programme. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra often feature. 

While Bournemouth International Centre draws the biggest names in pop, stand-up and dance. Check out what’s on ahead. 

With numerous nightclubs, cocktail bars, state-of-the-art cinema complex and global cuisine, you won’t be bored for a night out on the town , but for a quieter evening, choose one of seafront restaurants overlooking the sea.  

The old towns of Poole and Christchurch abound with oak-beamed pubs with roaring log fires, many serving local ales.  From tapas bars and Sunday roasts to celeb chef fine-dining, it’s easy to find fresh seafood and local spring produce at the very best tables, a far cry from the crowds of summer.