Car Rental Bournemouth - Exploring Bournemouth

Some of the most popular places to visit near Bournemouth include the New Forest and Poole Harbour. The quaint town of Salisbury and the large seaside towns of Portsmouth and Southampton are slightly farther afield but also easily reached by car.

Lying northeast of Bournemouth, the New Forest is a large area of woodland and tranquil glades which has been preserved in its natural state for all to enjoy. It is thought that William the Conqueror used to hunt deer here 10 centuries ago, but today the only hunting of these adorable creatures is done with a camera. There are several campsites within the forest, as well as a fine selection of walking and cycling trails.

Within the New Forest, you’ll find Beaulieu Abbey, which is well worth a look. Alternatively, car enthusiasts will enjoy the National Motor Museum, next to the abbey. The museum displays vehicles ranging from early vintage models to a Formula 1 model.

Poole lies just to the west of Bournemouth and has the second-largest natural harbour in the world, full of hundreds of yachts and other waterborne craft. Across the bay, you can see Brownsea Island, the location of a nature reserve that can be visited by ferry. It is here too that Lord Baden Powell conducted the first camps of what was later to become the Scout movement.

Maritime fanatics should head east along the coast to Portsmouth, home to three of the world’s most famous ships – the Mary Rose, the HMS Victory and the HMS Warrior (the first iron battleship). From here, you can head inland to Salisbury, which has lovely old stone buildings and one of the country’s most graceful cathedrals.