Local Area Information
Renowned for its excellent tourist attractions, Bournemouth is a coastal resort town situated on the south coast of England. It boasts seven miles of golden beaches and award-winning blue waters and has an approximate population of 188,000.
Poole is just five miles away and is easily accessed via the local bus or train services. The fit-at-heart will enjoy walking from Bournemouth Pier to Hengistbury Head in an easterly direction or to Sandbanks in a westerly direction.
EDUCATION
There is a range of credible schools within the various boroughs surrounding Bournemouth.
International students are spoilt for choice since Bournemouth is also home to some of the country's best language schools.
Both British and International students pursue courses at Bournemouth University, which is renowned for its law, computing and media courses. Many media students have gone on to apply their skills to big screen movie projects after graduating from here and Bournemouth Arts University.
TRANSPORT
Bournemouth is accessible from any part of Great Britain and most of Europe. There is continuous motorway and dual carriageway from London and along the South Coast and the A34 provides good access to and from the Midlands.
There are good rail, coach and bus services provided by South Western Railway, Avanti West Coast, National Express and Yellow Buses respectively. Bournemouth Airport services routes from Glasgow and Belfast. A recent addition, Scottish carrier Loganair is scheduled to operate flights to the Channel Islands while Ryanair, easyJet and TUI Airways service a multitude of routes to international destinations.
NIGHTLIFE
There is a variety of options to suit all tastes in respect of evening entertainment. Bournemouth has an enviable reputation as one of the country's best clubbing hotspots. For those who prefer a more cultural experience, the local Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth International Centre and Lighthouse in Poole play host to many wonderful operas, musicals, family shows, live entertainment and concerts. The Lighthouse is also home to the internationally acclaimed Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
SHOPPING
The discerning shopper will be spoilt for choice amongst the array of big brand stores, quirky boutiques, souvenir shops and open-air markets. The French and German are also keen to display their wares in regular open-air European markets held in Bournemouth Square and Poole Town Centre, especially over the Christmas period.
Popular shopping venues include:
Bournemouth: Castlepoint Shopping Park; Commercial Road, Old Christchurch Road, Westover Road
Westbourne: Westbourne Shopping, Seamoor Road and Arcade, Westbourne
Poole: Dolphin Centre, High Street, Poole BH15 1SZ - Mon - Fri + Sun: 7.30 a.m. - 7.30 p.m., Saturday: 8.00 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
Christchurch: Christchurch Market, Saxon Square - Mondays: 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Wimborne: Wimborne Market, Riverside Park, Station Road, Wimborne Minster BH21 1QU - Fri, Sat, Sun: 8.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
RESTAURANTS
Bournemouth is renowned for its superb choice of restaurants, pubs, cafés and bistros, with dishes that will tempt the most discerning connoisseur. Bournemouth has a menu for every occasion, whether you want to relax over a steaming hot cappuccino, enjoy a light lunch in a friendly café, have a fun family feast or indulge your senses with a sophisticated fine dining experience.
Cuisine from every corner of the world including French, Mexican, American, Italian, Spanish, Bangladeshi, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Greek, Chinese, Brazilian and Indian can be enjoyed at our many restaurants and cafés. British fare is not forgotten at our seafood and fish and chip restaurants, family-friendly pubs and vegetarian restaurants. Hunger is not an option!
HOSPITALS
Bournemouth: The Royal Bournemouth Hospital - Castle Lane East, Bournemouth BH7 7DW
Tel: 01202 704152
Poole: Poole Hospital NHS Trust - Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 2JB
Tel: 01202 665511
For more information on local attractions visit Visit Dorset and The Ultimate Local Area Guide websites.