Destination guides > Europe > England > Southwest England > Dorset > Bournemouth & Poole
Bournemouth & Poole
The twin seaside cities of Bournemouth and Poole have grown into each other creating a relatively large seaside resort. Bournemouth is the larger and more modern of the two although Poole is a more interesting spot to wander around.
Practical information
Bournemouth Tourist Information Centre
Westover Road, Bournemouth
Tel (01202) 451700
Website www.bournemouth.co.uk
Poole Tourist Information Centre
Enefco House, Poole Quay, Poole
Tel (01202) 253253
Website www.pooletourism.com
Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm; May-Jun 10am-5pm daily; Jul-Aug 9.15am-6pm daily; Sep-Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Coming & going
AIR
Bournemouth International Airport has flights to destinations in Europe and the UK. The Bournemouth Airport Shuttle runs between the airport and Bournemouth train station, the one-way bus fare to the airport is £4.
FERRY
Poole is a busy ferry port with departures by Brittany Ferries sail to Cherbourg in France and Condor Ferries to Guernsey and Jersey on the Channel Islands and St Malo and Cherbourg in France.
BUS & COACH
National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) has coaches from Bournemouth to Birmingham, Bristol and London. National Express coaches depart from The Square in Bournemouth.
Megabus has several express coaches a day to London with prices between £1 and £7 (plus 50p booking fee). Megabus departs from the Talbot Campus at Bournemouth University.
TRAIN
South West Trains have trains to London (Waterloo) as well as Dorchester, Southampton and Winchester. Megatrain sell cheap tickets on some South West Train services to London.
Local transport
Bournemouth and Poole's local buses are run by Wilts & Dorset.
The DayRider ticket is a good value pass that gives you one day unlimited bus travel in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area for £3.70.
Hostel accommodation
Bournemouth Backpackers
3 Frances Road, Bournemouth
Bus 17, 18, 33, 34, 41, 68
Tel (01202) 299 491
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Oceanarium
Bournemouth's Oceanarium features a walk-through aquarium with marine life from the Mediterranean, the Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii and the Caribbean as well as river fish from the Amazon, the Ganges and the Nile.
West Undercliff Promenade, Bournemouth
Bus 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 9A, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 32, 35, 89, 90, X94
Tel (01202) 311993
Website www.oceanarium.co.uk
Admission £8.75, (£7.75 ISIC)
Open 10am-6pm daily
Waterfront Museum
The Waterfront Museum has displays relating to Poole's local history.
4 High Street, Poole
Bus 152, 154
Tel (01202) 262600
Admission free
Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 10am-3pm, Sun noon-3pm; Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; Nov-Mar Mon-Sat 10am-3pm, Sun noon-3pm
