Bournemouth Train Station

Bournemouth station is the main railway station serving the seaside town of Bournemouth in Dorset. Here, golden sandy beaches are only five minutes away from a thriving one-billion pound financial services industry and a world-class university.

Originally serving steam and then diesel trains, the Bournemouth line was finally electrified in 1967. The great storm of 1987 caused significant damage to the station roof, which was only fully repaired and refurbished in 2000.

Today, Bournemouth station is one of the major transport hubs in the South of England, and it is your doorway to explore everything that Dorset has to offer, including stage shows, air shows, and everything in between.

Bournemouth train station is both a destination and a gateway to many popular towns and cities across the country. CrossCountry serves nationwide routes including Bournemouth to Oxford, Bournemouth to Manchester, and Bournemouth to Newcastle. You can even get from Aberdeen to Bournemouth, literally getting you from A to B!

The beautiful Dorset countryside has never been so close.

Things to do in Bournemouth

Bournemouth station first opened in 1885 and was originally designed by the chief engineer of London and South Western Railway, William Jacob, in the 19th century. Today, the modern Bournemouth station opens a door to the history and beauty of this corner of Dorset.

There’s always something to discover and surprise you in Bournemouth. Do you want to go back in time? The Jurassic coast, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretches across Dorset and Devon, and if you look carefully, you could find your own 100 million year old fossil!

You don’t need to go far to find something fun to do in Bournemouth. Only half a mile from Bournemouth station is the town centre boasting a wide range of attractions. Explore Bournemouth Pier and some of the best beaches in the country. From there you can visit the Oceanarium or feed squirrels in Bournemouth Lower Gardens. There’s even an aviary hidden amongst the trees to the east of the park. Next to the gardens you have the Bournemouth Pavilion, and the Bournemouth International Centre. You can also explore the town square and the recently opened entertainment complex nearby.

If you want to explore further away from the town centre, you are only half an hour east of the historic town of Christchurch with its ruined Norman Keep and Christchurch Priory. Why not hire a boat and explore the harbour? The stunning views from Hengistbury Head are nearby too.

Heading west will take you to the seaside town of Poole, where you can take a boat ride past some of the most expensive properties in the world!

If it’s the countryside you long for, Bournemouth is only an hour away from the New Forest where, if you’re lucky, you can see horses running free.

Planning to shop? Bournemouth city centre presents a mixture of well-known high street brands and independent stores. Nearby you can visit the either the Dolphin shopping Centre or Castlepoint Shopping Centre for even more options. If you have a family to entertain, you can tackle one of the Bournemouth escape rooms if you’re feeling brave enough; or a more traditional round of crazy golf on the beach.

There’s something happening all year round in Bournemouth. From Christmas markets to the amazing, free Bournemouth Air Festival in the summer, any time is the right time to visit.

Bournemouth has endless food options to explore so recharge after your long day of sightseeing over a delicious meal. Whether this be on the beach, at a restaurant in the city centre or at one of the side-street’s hidden gems; there is something for everyone. Afterwards, check out a show at the Pavilion or cinema, or enjoy a world-class show at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, Bournemouth has something for you.