Bournemouth isn't just the beach. It's also a town brimming with history, art, beauty, nature and fun. From Napoléon's wine cooler to an Egyptian mummy, a war-winning bridge to locally made gin, a mural celebrating its larger-than-life visitors to its connections with War and Peace - not forgetting afternoon tea on a bus - this town has it all, and is sure to surprise and delight all those who explore it.

Katherine Bebo is a professional freelance writer and editor. Her career has taken her to London, Dubai and Denver in the USA¿ but now she¿s back home where her heart is: Poole. She has had a handful of books published ¿ on topics ranging from films to fitness, cocktails to outer space ¿ plus many features for well-known publications and websites such as Cosmopolitan, Real Travel and TheCulinaryGuide.co.uk