Hello, my name is Alejandra and I’m an MSc Nutrition and Behaviour student from Colombia. For all the people out there coming to the UK from warm countries, don’t worry! Even if the rumours of rainy England are often true, you will never get bored here. Unpredictable, changeable and pretty rainy: that is how I would best describe English weather. It’s such a hassle to predict the weather for the day that it is often the main topic of conversation anywhere you go in England (but at least now you know how to make a new friend!) Luckily, Bournemouth is one of the best places to be as summer arrives here first and winter leaves sooner.

So, how is it?

Coming from a country on the equator, I’m not used to having seasons, as the weather is pretty much the same all year long. From my perspective, because England is a big island, there will always be wind wherever you go, and even more if you are near a coastline. My best advice is to take a scarf everywhere! You can never get it wrong with a scarf, to protect your neck, keep you warm or even in spring or summer to avoid having to wear a jacket.

What about the rain?

If you’ve heard that going to England means that you will get rained on all the time, it’s a stereotype that is partially true. Although the weather is unpredictable, you can be pretty sure that it will rain at least once or twice in a week in some seasons. However, don’t be worried, because you will not experience a lot of heavy rain, instead it will be more like drizzle. My best advice for rainier seasons is to get a good waterproof jacket. Due to the strong winds, umbrellas get broken all the time and then you’ll get wet anyway.

How to enjoy the nice weather

Bournemouth has lots of hidden gems for nice days out. My first recommendation starts at the lower gardens; you can walk from the town centre all the way to the upper gardens, and even to the University campuses. You can find so many types of trees, a large pond with fish and beautiful landscapes. Close by, there is Meyrick Park, which is perfect for a bike ride or a picnic. Since we live near the beach, take a walk or ride your bike to Boscombe or Sandbanks! The views and nice restaurants won’t let you down.

The ultimate getaway

Bournemouth is close to many biodiverse environments which are easily reached within an hour or less. For example, you can go to Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, where you can find red squirrels and the story of the formation of the boy scouts. You can also visit one of the UK’s biggest natural reserves called Hengistbury Head, known for its diverse habitats. Finally, the nearby New Forest is a beautiful area, where you can see wild horses and breathe pure air.