Bournemouth Train Station, Dorset, UK
Created | Updated Jun 24, 2003
Bournemouth Train Station, is, unhelpfully, not located in Bournemouth Town Center at all, but about a mile to the northwest. It is urrounded by an ASDA superstore, a garage and Staples Stationary Store. Despite being far-flung from the town center, it is the center of the town's main travel interchange, with a taxi rank, coach parks and several bus stops. It is mainly serviced by South West Trains
The the tracks at this point run roughly east-west. Let us assume for this entry that you have entered via the Travel Interchange doors, from the south, rather than sneaking across the garage forecourt from the north, as is the alternative. The station is essentially two buildings either side of the tracks with a large glass roof three stories overhead to protect commuters from the elements. After passing through the entrance room, where you can see the train times on TV sets on the wall, you will emerge onto platform 3. On your left is a set of stairs over the tracks, and to your right a subway underneath the tracks, both taking you to the other side. It is genereally easier to take the stairs as the subway is used by service vehicles. If you take neither and walk left past the stairs, you will be on platform 4, a hardly used extention of platform 3 but seperate for organisational reasons. Across the tracks is Platform 2, and behind that is platform 1, a dead end where terminating trains stop.
As a rule of thumb, trains going west (i.e. to Pool and Weymouth) stop at platforms 3 and 4. Trains going east (i.e. to London) stop at platform 2. Trains that terminate at the station stop at platform 1. Tickets can be bought from the ticket office beside platform 2 or from a machine on platform 3.
As any seasoned train traveler will know, the British train service is a shambles and trains are often delayed or even cancelled. The timetable is complicated but theoretically if you stand on one of the two main platforms there should be a train at least every 30 minutes. Bear in mind, however, that not every train will be stopping at the station you wish to go to, especially if you indend to get off at one the the smaller, more rural stops. Check with the electronic noticeboards above the platforms to check if the train stops at your stop.
As there are frequently delays with the service, passengers are often left waiting on the platforms. If you are left in this position, there is a reasonable cafe on platfrom 2, called the Lemon Tree. As well as drinks and snacks they also sell newspapers and magazines. The food is good but expensive and there are seats outside of the platform. There is also a waiting room and a few benches on the platforms. There are toilets near the foot of the stairs on platform 2.
Firstly, if you need more complicated information than that on the electronic boards, there is always a blue folder next to the toilets on platform 2. Inside is a full list of every train running through the station, including where it stops and a full list of times. You could alternativly ask one of the staff in the ticket office.
Secondly, don't buy baguettes from the cafe. Just don't. Make yourself a sandwhich when you get home.
Navigation around the station
The the tracks at this point run roughly east-west. Let us assume for this entry that you have entered via the Travel Interchange doors, from the south, rather than sneaking across the garage forecourt from the north, as is the alternative. The station is essentially two buildings either side of the tracks with a large glass roof three stories overhead to protect commuters from the elements. After passing through the entrance room, where you can see the train times on TV sets on the wall, you will emerge onto platform 3. On your left is a set of stairs over the tracks, and to your right a subway underneath the tracks, both taking you to the other side. It is genereally easier to take the stairs as the subway is used by service vehicles. If you take neither and walk left past the stairs, you will be on platform 4, a hardly used extention of platform 3 but seperate for organisational reasons. Across the tracks is Platform 2, and behind that is platform 1, a dead end where terminating trains stop.
Where To Go
As a rule of thumb, trains going west (i.e. to Pool and Weymouth) stop at platforms 3 and 4. Trains going east (i.e. to London) stop at platform 2. Trains that terminate at the station stop at platform 1. Tickets can be bought from the ticket office beside platform 2 or from a machine on platform 3.
Train Times
As any seasoned train traveler will know, the British train service is a shambles and trains are often delayed or even cancelled. The timetable is complicated but theoretically if you stand on one of the two main platforms there should be a train at least every 30 minutes. Bear in mind, however, that not every train will be stopping at the station you wish to go to, especially if you indend to get off at one the the smaller, more rural stops. Check with the electronic noticeboards above the platforms to check if the train stops at your stop.
What to do while you wait
As there are frequently delays with the service, passengers are often left waiting on the platforms. If you are left in this position, there is a reasonable cafe on platfrom 2, called the Lemon Tree. As well as drinks and snacks they also sell newspapers and magazines. The food is good but expensive and there are seats outside of the platform. There is also a waiting room and a few benches on the platforms. There are toilets near the foot of the stairs on platform 2.
Tips on how to better your time at the station
Firstly, if you need more complicated information than that on the electronic boards, there is always a blue folder next to the toilets on platform 2. Inside is a full list of every train running through the station, including where it stops and a full list of times. You could alternativly ask one of the staff in the ticket office.
Secondly, don't buy baguettes from the cafe. Just don't. Make yourself a sandwhich when you get home.
