Bournemouth is a coastal town in Dorset with buckets of culture and fun to offer in spades. In the 19th century, it began making a name for itself as a seaside resort, particularly for the health benefits that the refreshing sea breeze and pine forests were thought to have.
The introduction of the railway in Bournemouth propelled the seaside town into a must-visit destination, prompting the introduction of theatres, hotels, cinemas, and more. Today, all of those attractions and more are still here, so join CrossCountry as we visit Bournemouth.
Train tickets to Bournemouth
Bournemouth is incredibly well-connected when you travel with CrossCountry. We run services to Bournemouth station from all the way up in Manchester, Birmingham, and down through Southampton.
We always recommend booking an Advance Ticket before you travel, so there are no surprises on the day. We also have a range of other ticket types available, and there’s sure to be one that suits how and when you’d like to travel.
Are you a student at Bournemouth University? Make sure you take advantage of a 1/3 off travel with a 16-25 Railcard. Or, if your studying days are behind you, there are plenty of other discounts to be had. Check if you’re eligible for a range of Railcards with CrossCountry or find out other ways to get cheap rail tickets.
Experience Bournemouth
Places to eat in Bournemouth
It’s not the closest coffee shop to Bournemouth station, but even so we recommend you stop by Bad Hand Coffee’s Tasting Room. Found in a converted warehouse, Bad Hand is located just off the beaten path on Norwich Road. You’ll be glad of the adventure, though, because the coffee here is second to none, and you can even take some home to rejuvenate you!
Another way to start your Bournemouth day out is in the picturesque Westover Gardens, home of the independent and much-loved Picnic Park Deli. Settle yourself down on the outdoor terrace, bask in the warmth of the sun beaming through the canopy of trees, and enjoy a gooey cheesy toastie, a filling breakfast bun, or perhaps something sweeter.
For your evening meal, book a space at Art Sushi, a Michelin Guide restaurant for good reason. We recommend sitting at the counter so you can witness the chef work their magic. You can even let the experts surprise you with their favourite menu items by choosing the Omakase option.
Places to stay in Bournemouth
There is a wide range of accommodation all over Bournemouth, but why not stay by the sea? Staying at The Nici feels like a trip to Miami, with ocean-facing rooms, swimming pools, a cabana area, and bespoke spa treatments. You’ll still get that holiday feeling if it rains too, as the accommodation boasts a cinema, a kids club, and weekend DJ sets.
Set further back, The Green House is a clifftop villa with a sustainable outlook on hospitality. Every nook and cranny of this hotel is considered and beautiful, from the beehives on the roof to the considered presentation of dishes at Arbor restaurant to the subtle design accents throughout the Victorian villa. You’ll certainly have a rejuvenating stay here.
Please note: CrossCountry is unable to support with any hotel related queries or booking requests. For further information, please contact the hotels mentioned directly.
Heritage & culture in Bournemouth
Culture is abundant in Bournemouth, and you won’t just find it on the beach. Our first stop is The Upside Gallery, a permanent outdoor street art gallery in Bournemouth Central Gardens. The dichotomy between the technicolour murals and the cold concrete is striking and thought-provoking, making it a real treat for lovers of street art. Each artwork has a QR code that gives more information about the piece, so you can learn a bit more about Bournemouth’s urban art scene.
The Bournemouth Natural Science Museum is the ideal destination for curious kids, offering exhibitions and events covering all manner of spellbinding subjects such as animals, archaeology, and astronomy. You can also pay a visit and attend lectures, study groups, field visits, and more.
For a fun evening out, the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, set beside the Lower Gardens, hosts an exciting programme of events. Performances include comedy, dance, musical theatre, opera, plays, and live music throughout the year.
Shopping in Bournemouth
Shopping in Bournemouth is centred around the town centre, where you’ll find your favourite high-street brands, offering fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and just about everything else. Bobby’s Shopping Centre adds to this with a selection of independent shops, cafés, beauty parlours and restaurants. There’s so much history to Bobby’s too, so it’s worth a visit to get a feel for the heritage of Bournemouth.
FAQs
Bournemouth Station is the only train station in the city.
Bournemouth Station is situated to the west of the town. It is around a 20 minute walk to the main square, and you will find loads of bars, cafes and restaurants in the area. If you don’t fancy walking, a choice of buses depart from the station and take around 10 minutes to get to The Square.
If you’re heading straight to the beach from Bournemouth station, it takes around 25-minutes to walk to Bournemouth Pier. But, the beach stretches for miles, so if you’re looking for a spot away from the Pier, walk directly south and you’ll reach Boscombe Beach in 20-minutes.
Bournemouth Airport is the closest airport to the city, with many international flights operating daily. You can get to the airport in around 40-minutes on the 737 Jetbus that departs from the train station and various other stops around town.
There is also the nearby option of Southampton Airport. Just hop on one of our direct train services – they only take around 40 minutes.
It is possible to save money on your train to Bournemouth if you know how. Getting cheap ticket alerts, booking early and travelling off-peak can reduce costs. You may also be eligible for a railcard or student perks, so it’s worth checking. Take a look at our cheap train ticket page as it has lots more suggestions on how to travel cheaply.
If you have any further questions about the station in Bournemouth, check out our station guide.
Best Walks in Bournemouth
Enjoy Bournemouth’s best walks with CrossCountry.
Best Beaches in Bournemouth
Explore the best beaches Bournemouth has to offer with CrossCountry.
