Facts & Figures
Location: in South West England in the Dorset county
(source:http://www.sd104.s-cook.k12.il.us/)
Population: about 168,100 (Source: ONS, 2010 Mid Year Estimates, June 2011).
Size: 17.83 sq miles (46.15 sq km)
Weather:
32% less rain than the national average
8-10% higher peak temperatures
18-25% more sunshine over the summer months
(source: MBournemouth Weather, 2011)
My opinion:
The weather in Bournemouth is hard to predict. I have experienced the weather from September 2011 to August 2011. Apart from 2 weeks where we had snow, we had a quite mild winter with temperatures of 6 degrees in average. Around Christmas time we had a lot of sun and it was nice to go to the beach for a walk. April was, as far as I perceived it, the hottest month of this year. After that we had about 8 weeks rain and temperatures down to 15 degrees. It started to get warm in the middle of July but it varies every day.
How to get there:
The weather in Bournemouth is hard to predict. I have experienced the weather from September 2011 to August 2011. Apart from 2 weeks where we had snow, we had a quite mild winter with temperatures of 6 degrees in average. Around Christmas time we had a lot of sun and it was nice to go to the beach for a walk. April was, as far as I perceived it, the hottest month of this year. After that we had about 8 weeks rain and temperatures down to 15 degrees. It started to get warm in the middle of July but it varies every day.
How to get there:
Means of transport | Company | Website |
| By Car | Bournemouth Map | http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/transport _and_maps/maps/pdf/BournemouthandPooleMap.pdf |
| By coach | National Express | http://www.nationalexpress.com /coach/index.cfm |
| By train | National Rail South West Trains | http://www.nationalrail.co.uk /stations/bmh/details.html http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/bournemouth-guide.aspx |
| By air plane | Bournemouth International Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport Southampton Airport | http://www.bournemouthairport.com /bohweb.nsf http://www.gatwickairport.com/ http://www.heathrowairport.com/ http://www.southamptonairport.com/ |
| By ferry | Brittany Ferries (to Portsmouth) Condor Ferries (to Portsmouth) |
My opinion:
When you come from a European country and choose to fly to England, the cheapest way is to book an easyJet flight to Gatwick Airport. Then you have 2 options. A you take the National Express Airport shuttle which takes you directly to Bournemouth. This is gernerally the more expensive way because you cannot get any so called fun fairs(ticket offerings). The direct aiport shuttle will cost you about 30 pounds. B you take a seperate bus to London Victoria which will be around 7 pounds. Then you take a bus to Bournemouth, that, if you book early enough in advance, will be about 6 pounds as well, B is always cheaper, but of course more stressfull to do it the second way. Instead of another bus you can also take the Gatwick Express which takes you to London Victoria in 35 min.
Some people prefer to fly to Southampton. It is definitely not a bad idea as it is much closer to Bournemouth. From Southampton you can take a train for about 6 pounds to Bournemouth. Unfortunately, there are not many cheap airlines at Southampton. Flybe is supposed to be a low cost carrier but still the flight prices are quite hight.
If you come from another town in England, I would recommend trying National Express: try to book it one or two weeks in advance to get a funfair. The only negative thing about National Express is just that they have some central points such as London. So sometimes you want to go to a particular town, but if you go with National express, they will take you to London first and then make you switch to another bus. Thatswhy a trip can sometimes take much longer than if you would use a car.
When you come from a European country and choose to fly to England, the cheapest way is to book an easyJet flight to Gatwick Airport. Then you have 2 options. A you take the National Express Airport shuttle which takes you directly to Bournemouth. This is gernerally the more expensive way because you cannot get any so called fun fairs(ticket offerings). The direct aiport shuttle will cost you about 30 pounds. B you take a seperate bus to London Victoria which will be around 7 pounds. Then you take a bus to Bournemouth, that, if you book early enough in advance, will be about 6 pounds as well, B is always cheaper, but of course more stressfull to do it the second way. Instead of another bus you can also take the Gatwick Express which takes you to London Victoria in 35 min.
Some people prefer to fly to Southampton. It is definitely not a bad idea as it is much closer to Bournemouth. From Southampton you can take a train for about 6 pounds to Bournemouth. Unfortunately, there are not many cheap airlines at Southampton. Flybe is supposed to be a low cost carrier but still the flight prices are quite hight.
If you come from another town in England, I would recommend trying National Express: try to book it one or two weeks in advance to get a funfair. The only negative thing about National Express is just that they have some central points such as London. So sometimes you want to go to a particular town, but if you go with National express, they will take you to London first and then make you switch to another bus. Thatswhy a trip can sometimes take much longer than if you would use a car.
Getting around in Bournemouth
Means of Transport | Company | Website/Contact |
Car | Bournemouth Street Map | http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk /about/transport_and_maps/maps /pdf/BournemouthStreetMap.pdf |
Taxi | United Streamline Warrens Taxis Star Radio Card Ltd | http://www.556677.com/ http://www.streamlinewarrenstaxis.co.uk/ Tel: 01202 391919 |
Bus | Yellow Buses Wilts & Dorset Bus | http://www.bybus.co.uk/ http://www.wdbus.co.uk/ (is also operator of the Purbeck Breezer to the Isle of Purbeck) |
My opinion:
The best way to get around are the buses. They are cheap, reliable and take you to many places. Bournemouth even offers night buses that leaves from Bournemouth square at night time.
If you choose a taxi, you have to be careful. They can get really expensive depending on where you go. Always try to share a taxi with other people who want to go into the same direction.
It is also of advantage if you have a bike. You can just get anywhere whenever you want. Just always remember to lock it. Try to avoid putting your bike somewhere in town centre. It happens a lot that bikes get stolen or damaged at night.
The best way to get around are the buses. They are cheap, reliable and take you to many places. Bournemouth even offers night buses that leaves from Bournemouth square at night time.
If you choose a taxi, you have to be careful. They can get really expensive depending on where you go. Always try to share a taxi with other people who want to go into the same direction.
It is also of advantage if you have a bike. You can just get anywhere whenever you want. Just always remember to lock it. Try to avoid putting your bike somewhere in town centre. It happens a lot that bikes get stolen or damaged at night.
Awards:
- Blue Flags
- two Quality Coast Awards
- a Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award
List or References:
