Description
Boscombe, in Bournemouth has enjoyed an £11million make-over and now offers all the facilities expected by the 21st century surfer and holiday maker.
Europe’s First Artificial Surf Reef, the first in Europe and the northern hemisphere is finally complete, making Boscombe the most innovative seafront in the UK. The reef is just one element of a much wider regeneration scheme which has already been successful in revitalising Boscombe.
The once-neglected 1950s Overstrand building has been renovated by Bournemouth Borough Council and HemingwayDesign and now houses the best beach huts in the UK; the Boscombe “Beach Pods.” Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway MBE of HemingwayDesign have interior designed the pods and added their creative touch to the Overstrand public facilities which now offers benefits to both surfers and beach-lovers; changing rooms, toilets and warm showers. The unique concrete Overstrand complex also hosts “Sorted” surf shop and school and “Urban Reef” glass-fronted restaurant.
Boscombe is the only beach in the UK to have 365-day RNLI cover. Lifeguards watch over the reef, even on Christmas Day, from a dedicated RNLI beach lifeguard station. The re-landscaped seafront boasts stunning public art by local artist Simon Hitchens, making it a popular meeting place. Land trains operate from Boscombe Pier, linking up to Bournemouth Pier every day during the summer. The transformed and award-winning Victorian Chine Gardens feature a children’s water-play park, mini golf course and café.
Dubbed by Wayne Hemingway as “the coolest pier in the UK,” Boscombe Pier is, once again, a fine 20th century pier with clean, angular lines. The previously derelict Pier end has been rebuilt and provides a good surf spot for beginners and intermediates, before they become competent enough to try out the reef.
The grade-II listed Boscombe Pier entrance is completely refurbished to an exacting
standard and features quality Reefside catering and beach retail shop spilling out onto the piazza in front of the pier entrance. The end of the pier offers stunning coastal views naturally framed by the Isle of Wight and Isle of Purbeck and a fine spot to fish from, or simply watch the sun going down over the reef. | 
