Car hire in Bournemouth
A beach resort with something for all ages
Located on the south coast, this delightful English seaside town boasts mile after mile of clean, soft, golden sand. Watersports are plentiful along with a variety of other activities and entertainment. There’s something for everyone, all year round.Avis car hire services in Bournemouth city centre
Our Bournemouth car rental branch is conveniently located to provide an ideal starting point for your road trip. Drive along the spectacular coastline, or go and explore England’s south coast at your own pace. Services at your disposal include out-of-hours return and breakdown assistance, with child seats and satellite navigation systems also available as optional extras.
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Popular car hire locations in Bournemouth
Things to see and do in Bournemouth
Perhaps best known as a seaside resort, today the town has become a regional hub for entertainment, culture and recreation. There are numerous shops, cafés and restaurants, not to mention theatres and a buzzing nightlife.There are also three Grade I listed churches, including St Peter’s, where author Mary Shelley is buried. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum holds fascinating collections from all over the world, housed within a Victorian villa built and gifted to the public by collectors Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes.
Bournemouth Parks and Gardens
The town is home to some of the country’s finest parks and gardens. Victorian beauty stretches for miles through the award-winning Upper, Central and Lower Gardens. The Alum Chine boasts fabulous views of the bay and stunning tropical gardens which benefit from the area’s microclimate. The equally beautiful Boscombe Chine Gardens and Italianate Gardens are slightly out of town but easily within reach in your rental car.
Prefer a bird’s eye view? Step into the gondola of the giant Bournemouth Balloon and enjoy the spectacular views as it soars above the city. Tethered by a steel cable, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the English Channel and surrounding area.
Bournemouth Beach
Of course, no visit would be complete without a trip to the beach. Order some fish and chips, stroll along the pier or even relax in a deck chair. For the full experience, you could even hire your own beach hut. And don’t forget to visit the Art Deco Pavilion Theatre, now a listed building.
Complete the seaside experience with a trip to the award-winning Oceanarium to see sharks, sea turtles, piranhas and more. Explore the ocean without getting wet in the world’s first interactive dive cage.
Trips from Bournemouth
Go for a spin along the Jurassic Coast with Avis car rentalIf you want to really experience the true beauty of the area, you’ll need a car. Fortunately, we’re here to help. No matter the size of your party, we have small or large car hire to suit your needs.
Use your rental car to explore picturesque towns and villages in the surrounding area. Poole Bay is great for watersports, and has some terrific waves for surfing. You can also try coasteering, jet ski safaris or speed boat rides around the harbour. If that sounds like too much, simply drive out to Sandbanks, park up and take a ferry trip over to Brownsea Island, a splendid National Trust nature reserve said to be the birthplace of the scouting movement. The area offers an abundance of wildlife and a range of camping and other outdoor activities.
The Jurassic Coast is a must, so-named as it provides a complete geological record of the Jurassic period. This 95-mile section of coastline has recently been designated a World Heritage Site. It also offers some stunning photo opportunities. Don’t miss Durleston Head, Dancing Ledge, Lulworth Cove or the Durdle Door rock archway.
Explore the New Forest
You’re also just a short drive from the New Forest. This National Park is the former hunting ground of William the Conqueror. But its name is deceptive – the forest is actually made up of a unique combination of open heathlands and ancient woodlands. It offers a rare mixture of habitats and wildlife and is perfect for cycling, walking and horse riding.
Bournemouth Events
The town is also home to several annual festivals, including a literary festival in autumn, a gay pride festival in summer and perhaps most famously the town’s very own air festival in August, featuring impressive displays by the Red Arrows and other aerobatics teams.
The enchanting Candlelight Nights illuminate the Lower Gardens in August in celebration of one of the city’s oldest traditions. Large candle displays are lit at dusk for all to enjoy.