Dorset

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 (website www.flybournemouth.com) has flights to destinations in Europe and the UK. Buses run 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 (website www.brittany-ferries.co.uk) sail to Cherbourg in France and Condor Ferries (website www.condorferries.com) to Guernsey and Jersey on the Channel Islands and St Malo and Cherbourg in France.

BUS

National Express (tel 0870 580 8080; website www.nationalexpress.co.uk) has buses from Bournemouth to Birmingham, Bristol and London. National Express buses depart from The Square in Bournemouth.

Megabus (website www.megabus.com) has several express buses 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 (website www.swtrains.co.uk) have trains to London (Waterloo) as well as Dorchester, Southampton and Winchester and Virgin Trains (website www.virgintrains.co.uk) have trains to Birmingham, Manchester, Yorkshire and Scotland.

Local Transport

Bournemouth and Poole's local buses are run by Wilts & Dorset (website www.wdbus.co.uk).

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.

Accommodation

Bournemouth Backpackers

3 Frances Road, Bournemouth

Bus 17, 18, 33, 34, 41, 68

Tel (01202) 299 491

Sights

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 £6.50 (£4.95 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

Website www.poole.gov.uk

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

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