| BOURNEMOUTH |
PUBLISHING DATE: 2009-06-18 | COUNTRY CODE: GB
Contents: The City, Do & See, Eating, Cafés, Bars & Nightlife, Shopping,
Sleeping, Essential Information, Maps |
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| BOURNEMOUTH |
| With 11km of sandy, white beaches, the world’s second largest natural harbour and some of the most expensive real estate on the planet – Bournemouth is one of the continent’s premier resort towns offering visitors the best in water sports, yachting, beach life, nightlife and shopping. |
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| THE CITY |
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| Built around the mouth of the tiny Bourne river, Bournemouth barely existed at the start of the 19th century. It was then that Captain Tregonwell decided to build himself a house in the idyllic spot on Poole Bay where central Bournemouth now stands. That original house is now the Royal Exeter Hotel on The Square. |
Throughout the 19th century the town became a hub for holiday makers in search
of sun, sea and sand – and so it has remained. It is now one of Britain’s biggest water sports centres, offering windsurfing, kite surfing and yachting along with more leisurely activities |
| Bournemouth is also within easy reach of the New Forest National Park, Europe’s largest area of uncultivated heath land, and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, with its exposed fossil forests. |
| Bournemouth University, established in 1992, has brought an influx of young, creative people adding vibrancy to the area’s artistic and musical culture, making it one of the English south coast’s most cosmopolitan towns, with some of the best nightlife and designer shopping outside London. |
| But of course, most famously, what this area has in abundance is endless sandy beaches and clear blue waters in Britain’s best climate, averaging 1,750 hours of sunshine a year. |
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| WHAT TO DO |
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| Bournemouth Pier |
| There has been a pier at Bournemouth since 1856. The pier that stands today is over 1000ft and is the central focus of the beachfront, a hub for seaside entertainments and a historic legacy of the Victorian era. |
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| Vistarama Hot Air Balloon |
| In the Lower Gardens at Central Gardens, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the town – taking visitorshigh into the sky to get the mostspectacular view of the town and sea. |
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| Russell-cotes Art Gallery And Museum |
| The Russell-Cotes family gave their house and its contents to the town in 1922. Built on the cliff overlooking the bay, the museum houses the family’s vast collection of art from around the world. |
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| ESSENTIAL INFORMATION |
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| Airport |
| Bournemouth International Airport is only 15 minutes away from the town centre and links easily with train, bus and taxi services, as well as having car rental available. The airport is six miles from the main train station and connected by the A1 bus route. From the train station services to Southampton leave every 35 minutes and London every 105 minutes. The A1 bus route runs from the airport via the train station and ends at The Square in the centre of Bournemouth. |
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| Ferries |
| From Poole ferry port there are three daily crossings on Brittany Ferries to Cherbourg in France, and crossing on Condor Ferries to St Malo in France and the Channel Islands. |
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| Public Transport |
| South West Trains service 158 connects Bournemouth with Christchurch and Pokesdown to the east and Branksome, Parkstone and Poole to the west. There is also an extensive bus network – look out for the easily visible bright yellow buses. A day tripper unlimited pass is £3 for adults, £2 for children. |
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| Taxi |
| It is easiest to hail a taxi on the street, especially in the centre of town or at the airport and train stations. Taxis can also beordered from companies |
