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Car hire in Bournemouth

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Car hire in Bournemouth

Hiring a car in Bournemouth

Bournemouth is a seaside town on the south coast of England, known for its seven miles of beautiful beaches.

Hiring a car means that you can easily travel around the town and see the great variety of beaches and cultural sights it has to offer.

The A338 is the main road running through Bournemouth, going from the town up to join the A31 by Ringwood. The A31 goes from Bere Regis, which is north-west of Bournemouth, to join the M27 near to Southampton.

What you need to know

You'll find a number of car hire providers in Bournemouth, and searching on our website means that you're sure to find the most competitive deal.

Top suppliers including Europcar, Avis and Budget supply car hire in the Bournemouth area, so you can be reassured by well-known and trustworthy names.

In addition, we offer 24/7 support, free cancellation and free amendments which are perfect should your circumstances change.

Where to pick up your car

All of the hire car providers are based in the town centre near to the train station or at the airport.

If you opt to collect your car from the airport, then you'll find the service desks based in the arrivals hall, ready and waiting with your keys.

Alternatively, pick up in the town centre is just a short walk from the train station, or you can easily get a taxi which will drop you off in just a few minutes.

Best Car Hire Companies Bournemouth

europcar
europcar
europcar

Car Hire Reviews Bournemouth

  • “The pick-up was easy, it took 5 minutes from arriving at the desk to driving out the car, and the return took even less time. Booking with Holiday Autos was easy and I received the car that I had asked for, just perfect!”
    Diane T

Where to go

As well as the beaches, there are many other things to do in Bournemouth. The town has stunning Victorian architecture, as well as its pier, which boasts games and rides that are hugely popular - particularly during the summer months.

You can explore the variety of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs, or head to the countryside for a more chilled out experience. Being a seaside town, there is also a huge range of water sports activities that you can enjoy.

Nearby Bournemouth

About an hour north-east of Bournemouth is Southampton, one of England's largest cities. It's popular for shopping and includes a huge number of well-known high street shops, as well as many independent boutiques.

Southampton also has a number of museums and galleries that you can visit, including the Solent Sky Museum, SeaCity Museum and Southampton City Art Gallery.

Alternatively, just over an hour north you can reach Winchester, a beautiful historic city in Hampshire. The markets here are extremely popular, especially the farmer's market, which sells locally sourced meat, vegetables and other produce.

In addition, you can explore the cobbled streets and see the stunning architecture of Winchester Cathedral and Wolvesey Castle.

Longer drives

Having a hire car means that you have the freedom to explore even more of what England has to offer.

If you fancy heading to London, you can reach it in just two and a half hours.

Being the capital city, London offers almost anything that you can dream of. There are the main tourist attractions including the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Covent Garden, or you can head to one of the many markets that the city has to offer. You'll find some of the most popular markets at Camden, Brick Lane and Shoreditch, but there are so many more to choose from.

Why not explore more of England's beaches and take a trip just two and a half hours west to Torquay in Devon? This area is popular for its stunning beaches, as well as the cliffs that run along the coastline which are perfect for a walk and to see the views across the ocean.

Top attractions to visit in Bournemouth

Hiring a car means that you're able to get about easily and see everything that Bournemouth has to offer.

Eating and drinking

As it's a seaside town, fresh seafood is in abundance in Bournemouth, with many restaurants offering the catch of the day. You'll also find that, being so close to the countryside, there's plenty of locally sourced meat, fruit and vegetables served.

However, if you're looking for something a bit different, then you'll be pleased to know that you can find almost any cuisine in the town centre.

There are also a number of pubs, bars and clubs, which will give you a taste of Bournemouth’s vibrant nightlife scene, so whether you're looking to enjoy a quiet drink or head on a night out, you're sure to find the perfect place in Bournemouth.

Things to do

Of course, the beaches are one of Bournemouth's most popular spots. Along the seven miles of coastline you can find secluded spots to lie back in the sun and relax with a book, or much busier areas with water sports and other activities. At Boscombe you can find an activity park, where you can learn windsurfing and kayaking.

The town centre also has plenty of shops if you're looking for some retail therapy. Find high street brands alongside smaller independent and vintage boutiques, offering a great choice to find almost anything you're looking for.

Sightseeing

Bournemouth has 2,000 acres of gardens and parks, giving you plenty to explore during your visit.

The town's Victorian gardens are split into three areas, all of which retain much of their historic character and are Grade II listed. The Lower Gardens are adjacent to the sea and lead to the Central Gardens in the town centre; these then lead to the Upper Gardens.

You should also pay a visit to Alum Chine's tropical garden, which was built in the 1920s. It includes an array of unusual exotic plants, as well as stunning views across the bay.

For the more active among us, why not hire a bike and explore the places you can't get to by car? Cycle along the promenade from Hengistbury Head in the east, to Sandbanks in the west and see everything that Bournemouth's coastline has to offer.

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