Is Bournemouth just for OAPs

A.� A few years ago maybe, but the past three years have seen a complete face lift�of the resort. The council has done a splendid job in�making Bournemouth glamorous again, the beaches are immaculate, the pleasure gardens beautifully candle-lit, and the choice of restaurants and nightlife as cosmopolitan as you'd find in any major city. Honest, if you haven't been there for a few years you won't recognise the place.

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Q. So, what happened to all the pensioners

A.� Well, they seem to stay in doors during the day and�come out at sunset when they venture onto the�beach wielding their metal detectors hoping to find hidden tresures. Bournemouth, it now seems, belongs to the young. From Easter to late September�the beaches are populated with hordes of young men and women relaxing on the seven-mile stretch of sands under Eastcliff, occasionally moving to punch the odd volleyball or visit the bar. By night the action moves onto the bars and clubs of the town centre.

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Q. What's there to do during the day, other than relax on the beach

A.� You might not have realised, but Bournemouth was once the preferred destination of the well to do. At the start of the 1900s it was as wealthy as New York, a fact echoed by some of the beautiful villas dotted around the�clifftops and the grand 1930s' architecture of Richmond Hill - definitely worth a visit. Aside from the gardens,�there's loads of walks�around the�clifftops and the neighbouring harbour of Poole.

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You could catch a ferry to Swanage from the Bournemouth Pier or Sandbanks, or visit Studland Bay, which offers lovely unspoilt walks along the sea. Lulworth Cove is a marvellous old fishing village�that looks like it hasn't changed in centuries.�Also highly recommended is Buckler's Hard. And, if you're fancying something a little more seaside resorty there is always the Oceanarium on the West beach, home to some massive moray eels.

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Q. What's there to do in the evening

A.� After a stroll along the promenade, why not enjoy one of the many splendid restaurants scattered along the seafront or take a short walk into�town. Seafood is�going to be on offer at most places, however, there's also a host of international restaurants offering anything from Thai to Turkish to Italian. After that why not head off to one of the nightclubs in Hinton Road and Dean Park Crescent. For cheesy choons head to the Zoo or the Cage for something a bit more discerning, go for the hard house and techno sound of Slinky at the Bournemouth Opera House.

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Q. Sounds great! How do I get there

A.� Bournemouth is situated on the south coast�of Dorset, not far from Portsmouth and Southampton. Getting there is quick and easy by car taking around two hours from London. You can take�the train from Waterloo for under �20 and even less if you travel by coach from Victoria. A word of warning though, it's best to book a hotel before you go, especially in high season as they fill up pretty quickly. Take a look at www.bournemouth.co.uk for details on accommodation and events.

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By Oliver Goggi