Bournemouth

Bournemouth is among Britain's best-loved seaside towns. The star attraction is unquestionably its stretch of soft, sandy beach, which buzzes with laid-back locals and sun-seeking out-of-towners throughout the warm summer months. The iconic Bournemouth Pier offers all manner of kitsch seaside fun, with retro amusement arcades, colourful souvenir shops and tempting ice-cream stalls.

The local nightlife is legendary, with a host of buzzing beachfront bars and pulsing clubs to crawl between until the early hours. And if you're craving a culture fix, swing by the Russell-Cotes Museum, an elegant Victorian villa filled with astonishing art.