Bournemouth is a popular coastal resort with a long sandy beach 1 mile from the station. There is level access to the beach by the Pier but cliffs rise on both sides. The East Cliff Railway is out of action following a landslip but a zig-zag path leads down to the beach here. A large observation wheel has been installed near the Pier. Bournemouth developed rapidly in Victorian times and many period buildings remain in the town centre but there are modern buildings too including Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), a large conference centre 1 mile from the station. The attractive Victorian Lower Gardens surround the Bourne stream and lead from the Pier to Bournemouth Square. Beyond the Square the Upper Gardens continue further into the town centre.
Frequent buses to the Pier operate from a stop outside the Rail Station (see map). For the most frequent buses back to the Rail Station walk through Lower Gardens to the Square. Local bus services are operated by First and More. Bournemouth PlusBus tickets allow unlimited bus travel over the whole urban area including Poole and Wimborne Minster.
TI Tel. 01202 123800.
A spectacular Victorian seaside villa housing Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art and collections from around the world.
The villa was home to art collectors Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes who owned the adjacent Royal Bath Hotel. Exhibitions Gallery. Café.
Open TWThFSSu & BH 1000-1700.
www.russellcotes.com
Marine creatures above and below the waves, including otters, penguins, sharks and turtles.
Daily feeding times. Under water tunnel. Café.
Open Daily from 1000.
www.oceanarium.co.uk
The Pier has several attractions including an activity centre and a traditional amusement aracade.
Open Daily.
www.thebournemouthpier.com
The collections of preserved specimens include plants, mammals, birds, butterflies and other insects.
Other items include fossils, rocks and archaeological artifacts. The grounds are designed to encourage urban wildlife.
Events programme.
Open Tue 1000-1600 but please check website.
www.bnss.org.uk
4 miles of sandy beach along the Purbeck coast with views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight.
Heathland behind the beach is a haven for wildlife with footpaths through the dunes, woods and open heath.
There's also a popular naturist beach. Discovery Centre and Café. Download a map from the NT website.
Open at all times.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay
Bus Breezer 50 from Bus Station (adjacent to Rail Station) and near Square (see map)
to Studland Knoll House Hotel, immediately after the turning for NT Knoll Beach Discovery Centre and Café.
50-60 minutes journey. Daily ½-hourly in summer, otherwise M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2-hourly.
The bus crosses to Studland on the Sandbanks Ferry. Open top buses are used in summer.
Bournemouth PlusBus tickets are valid to Sandbanks
but not on the ferry and bus to Studland. Operated by More.
The buses continue to Swanage (about 65 minutes journey), see Wareham for attractions in Swanage.
