Overview

Bournemouth has seven miles of beautiful, award-winning, sandy beaches. My review only covers the area I visited, between the pier and the West Cliff Railway.

Transport & Parking

The area approaching the beach from by the pier, which was nearest to my hotel, was rather steep. I did the walk from my hotel twice. First time I walked down Bath Road and the second through the lower Gardens. I found both routes a challenge with my crutch but the Lower Gardens was slightly easier. Both occasions I felt exhausted by the time I got there. There are buses that stop close by but they involve a short walk down a noticeable slope to get to the sea front. I didn't notice any blue badge parking or drop off points for disabled people which would avoid the slope.

Access

There is level access along the sea front, with a wide pedestrianised pavement parallel to the beach. There is no car access but the tourist land train runs along here. The beach is utterly gorgeous, but the sand appeared very soft so I didn't risk walking on it in case my crutch and me sank in it. By the pier there is the tourist information office which had step free access. There is bench seating, without any back support or arms to assist with transfer. I did find one bit close to the tourist information centre where there were 2 metal arms, see photo. I found this very disappointing as there was lots of seating in this area and no consideration had been given to disabled people who need more supportive seating. Walking in the direction from the pier to West Cliff Railway there are a row of buildings opposite the sea front, these include Oceanarium the aquarium, beach side cafes, kiosks, shops and amusements. Immediately behind this row of buildings are the cliffs. There are also a couple of cafes and bars on the beach itself. Walking along there are beach seating dotted about, when I visited on a hot June afternoon, it was difficult to get a seat as they were occupied. There is no rail or barrier separating the path from the beach, so I had to find odd rail or post to rest against as I walked along. More seating would have been appreciated.

Toilets

In the large building in front of the pier, there are toilets, including an accessible toilet which requires a radar key. Inside was a clean and quiet spacious toilet, with grab rails at the sink and toilet. there was an emergency cord but it did not reach down to the floor.

Staff

I didn't see any staff.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The beach itself is stunning, you can't vault it or the views. It's a must visit. This is a very personal view as a solo, older, disabled woman traveller. I had mixed feelings about the beach when I visited in the evening about 8.30-9pm. I had finished dinner and wanted to see the sea before I went to bed. The resorts I have been to before tend to have a road and pavement long the sea front with cafes, hotels, etc on the opposite side. I assumed Bournemouth was in the same style. However, the sea front is rather cut off. Firstly, approaching the beach by the pier involved walking under a fly over, it's not very wide and you can easily see the other side, nothing happened but when I was there on my own it was relatively quite and as a visibly disabled person I felt unsure about continuing as I did not know what to expect. It opens out into a large, pedestrianised square with the pier beside it. From the pier I looked along the sea front, there were very few people about, it was turning into dusk and there no street lighting along the sea front, the only illumination coming from one of the restaurants, and it did not make me want to explore the area in the evening. I had no anxieties when I went back there in the daytime. I feel there are a couple of things that could be done to make it more accessible to disabled people. A map which marks out the less steep routes to the sea front from the town centre to assist disabled people and those with pushchairs navigate the area. Consider providing seating so people can rest and hand rails to assist people with mobility impairments complete their journey more easily to the sea front. Consideration to providing different types of seating including some with back support and arms, to assist disabled people's transfer. Better lighting along the sea-front for the evening to open up that area to tourists and businesses.

Photos