Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>A buzzing Bournemouth suburb, &#8216;Sobo&#8217; is popular with young professionals and families alike. There are great places to eat, drink and hang out, good schools (including a girls&#8217; and a boys&#8217; grammar), efficient transport links – and if you fancy, you could spend every day on one of the UK&#8217;s best beaches. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-velo-domestique.jpg" alt="Velo Domestique cycle cafe in Southbourne, Dorset " class="wp-image-112619" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-velo-domestique.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-velo-domestique-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-velo-domestique-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-velo-domestique-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-velo-domestique-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Velo Domestique cycle café</figcaption></figure>



<p>For delicious food cooked over fire check out <a href="https://thelarderhouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Larder House</a>, starting with a little of what you fancy at its Library of Liquor cocktail bar. For a relaxed, intimate tasting menu head to the Michelin recommended and three AA rosetted <a href="https://restaurantroots.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Restaurant Roots</a>. Cool bicycle café <a href="https://www.velodomestique.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Velo Domestique</a> serves up good coffee, breakfast burritos, tacos, toasties – and bike repairs. There are great sarnies, salads and coffee to be had at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theyamcafe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Yam Café</a>, deli, café classics and bar at family-run <a href="https://enzosobo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enzo&#8217;s</a>, and salads, coffee and artisan breads at <a href="https://www.wildandginger.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild &amp; Ginger</a>. The family-run <a href="https://baffipizza.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baffi Pizza</a> serves up authentic Neapolitan pizza, while for an Aussie inspired brunch and great coffee head to florist and gift shop <a href="https://www.littleperth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Perth</a>. Want something fast but sustainable? Make your way to chef-led quick service cafe <a href="https://www.facebook.com/loafandcoal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loaf &amp; Coal</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-sugar-mango-488183629_18504710695026795_8142489742423725374_n.jpg" alt="Sugar Mango Southbourne bournemouth dorset" class="wp-image-109676" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-sugar-mango-488183629_18504710695026795_8142489742423725374_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-sugar-mango-488183629_18504710695026795_8142489742423725374_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-sugar-mango-488183629_18504710695026795_8142489742423725374_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-sugar-mango-488183629_18504710695026795_8142489742423725374_n-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-sugar-mango-488183629_18504710695026795_8142489742423725374_n-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-sugar-mango-488183629_18504710695026795_8142489742423725374_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sugar Mango</figcaption></figure>



<p>Southbourne Grove is the main shopping drag, where you&#8217;ll find a clutch of indies including women&#8217;s fashion, accessories and gift store <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/sugar-mango-bournemouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sugar Mango</a>; artisan cheese shop <a href="https://parlourmentary.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parlourmentary</a>; a proper butchers; books and lifestyle stuff at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bh6booksandhome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BH6</a>; toys and cards at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FlamingNorasHQ/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flaming Nora&#8217;s</a>; and the <a href="https://www.southbourneplanthouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southbourne Planthouse</a> for – guess what. There is plenty of vintage shopping just up the road in Pokesdown and big branches of around 35 high street stores at Castlepoint. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.sobofitness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sobo Fitness</a> is a women-only fitness studio and gym with personal trainers, small group training and classes. Assume the downwood facing dog position on the beach with <a href="https://www.allflowyoga.co.uk/beach.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All Flow Yoga</a><a href="https://www.allflowyoga.co.uk/beach-yoga.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">.</a> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s lots going on – a Shake &amp; Stir Vintage Music Festival, Easter Scavenger Hunt, Pumpkin carving contests, Christmas on the Green. Southbourne&#8217;s got its own identity and the lively array of indie shops and cafés are central to the strong feeling of community. People love living here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne.jpg" alt="southbourne beach sunset dorset" class="wp-image-109679" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/southbourne-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Race you to the the golden sand and shingle beaches and clear waters of Southbourne&#8217;s Blue Flag Beach. The sunsets are spectacular. The Fisherman&#8217;s Walk Cliff Lift/funicular railway will take you to the top of the cliff and a lovely nature trail. The <a href="https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/Home.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hengistbury Head nature reserve</a>‘s wetland, woods and heaths are worth a ramble.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>All of Bournemouth’s cultural delights are within easy reach including big name concerts at the <a href="https://www.bic.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bournemouth International Centre</a> (BIC), and music and clubbing at the <a href="https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybournemouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">O2 Academy Bournemouth</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Victorian, Edwardian and up through the decades to contemporary new builds. The average house price in the area was £456,356 last year. Detached properties sold for an average of £671,600, semi-detached properties for £434,230 and apartments for £269,426.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="690" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/00-southbourne-Screenshot-2023-02-22-at-11-48-38-Montague-Road-Mr-Green-Estate-Agents-Southbourne.png" alt="house for sale southbourne" class="wp-image-81465" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/00-southbourne-Screenshot-2023-02-22-at-11-48-38-Montague-Road-Mr-Green-Estate-Agents-Southbourne.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/00-southbourne-Screenshot-2023-02-22-at-11-48-38-Montague-Road-Mr-Green-Estate-Agents-Southbourne-800x552.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/00-southbourne-Screenshot-2023-02-22-at-11-48-38-Montague-Road-Mr-Green-Estate-Agents-Southbourne-400x276.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/00-southbourne-Screenshot-2023-02-22-at-11-48-38-Montague-Road-Mr-Green-Estate-Agents-Southbourne-768x530.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/00-southbourne-Screenshot-2023-02-22-at-11-48-38-Montague-Road-Mr-Green-Estate-Agents-Southbourne-761x525.png 761w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This characteful <a href="https://www.mrgreenhomes.co.uk/property/montague-road" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5-bedder </a>near the High Street is asking for offers over £1.2m</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.puffinspreschool.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Puffins Pre-school</a>, <a href="https://www.stnicholaspreschool.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Nicholas Pre-school</a>, <a href="https://cranleighlodge.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cranleigh Lodge</a> and <a href="https://www.bearshideawaynursery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bears Hideaway Nursery</a> in Southbourne and <a href="https://kingscastlenursery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kings Castle Montessori</a> in nearby Tuckton are all rated Good by Ofsted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Local state primaries are Ofsted rated Good. Bournemouth has two state grammars, <a href="https://wearebsg.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bournemouth School for Girls</a> and <a href="https://www.bournemouth-school.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bournemouth School</a> and there are two more in nearby Poole. On the independent front, you&#8217;ve Bournemouth Collegiate Senior School (co-ed day and boarding for 11-18s with the Prep in nearby Poole), Talbot Heath (girls’ day and boarding) and Yarrells Prep &amp; Nursery (Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep) in Upton, Poole. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Southbourne was in Hampshire until 1974. Who knew?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>You’re a short bus ride to Poole or Bournemouth for trains to London – from there you&#8217;ll reach Paddington or Waterloo in around 2 hrs. Travelling further afield? Did you know Bournemouth has its own airport?</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Southbourne

See more in Dorset