The Arlington Hotel offers a new hub for aspiring artists at its cafe, as Arts Editor Tanya March discovers.

Whilst strolling through the glorious Lower Gardens in Bournemouth one sunny evening, weaving in and out of the tourists coming back from the beach, I came across a fantastic new café. Overlooking the Bandstand and the queues at the Crazy Golf, I found a real gem of calm and creativity, The Arlington Arts Café.

It was launched in July by Arlington Hotel owners Sara and Bernard Uzzell as a place for artists and art lovers to meet and share their creative talents. The owners hope this wonderful space, complete with colourful flags and landscaped garden, will help inspire people.

“We want to support the arts in Bournemouth so we have invited local artists to use our café as a place to paint, exhibit their work and run art activity sessions,” Sara Uzzell. Adding: “It’s a relaxing combination – art in the garden, music in the bandstand and tea on the terrace.”

Last month they hosted a number of open-air art classes, which proved very popular with locals and tourists alike, with their final works being put on display in the café garden. Don’t think gloomy autumn will be a dampener on the place either, activities will move inside, with drawing, writing and music classes as well as an Arts Fair.

Show your support for this much needed new venue!

For more information, visit www.arlingtonbournemouth.co.uk or contact 01202 552879.