Dorset help please

geri1965_2

Does anyone know if there is a regular bus service from Poole to Weymouth and Swanage (not necessarily the same bus) and if so, how long it takes approximately?

Would like to go to Dorset for the weekend to check out family history, but would need to get to both Portland and Swanage, without a car, so I thought Poole might be the best place to be based in.

bluecowonthebus

The Jurassic coast bus service travels between Swanage, Weymouth to Devon. I haven't used it but it is designed for tourists and it travels the coast road which has some beautiful scenery.

http://www.jurassiccoast.com/283/visiting-the-coast-31/getting-to-and-around-the-jurassic-coast-148/jurassic-coast-bus-service-464.html

wealdroam

Don't know when you are travelling, but the bus mentioned above only goes between Exeter and Weymouth, not as far as Poole, in the winter months... until 30 April.

Might be worth thinking about the train between Poole and Weymouth. £11.90 Off Peak Day Return, valid all day Sat or Sun. Takes around 45 minutes.

dorsetem

Once you get to Weymouth there are lots of buses that go to Portland from the town centre (the stop by the town bridge).

dangers

We certainly saw buses when we were in the Poole area that were headed towards Swanage, but then that was August

hethmar

Contact the local tourist information office.

http://www.visit-dorset.com/

Sundays may be a bit dodgey Id have thought at this time of year? And Records Offices wont be open either. Find out what a taxi would cost?

dkpoole

W&D 40 Bus every hour weekdays (2 hourly Sundays) to Swanage and FirstBus X53 runs every 2 hours Mon - Sat. Both very scenic journeys by double decker buses

dkpoole

Journey time is about 70-75 mins to both. Also hourly open top bus from Bournemouth to Swanage - even in Winter! Plus Damory Coaches run a very attractive rural route to Dorchester about every 2 hours (Mon-Sat)

geri1965_2

Thanks all, my initial plan was to go in March, but might make it into a longer holiday in May. Not sure yet.

We have been to Weymouth and Portland before, but I'd like to fit Swanage into it somehow as I have memories of going there when I was little.

dkpoole

Last year there was an experimental bus service from Swanage direct to Weymouth via Lulworth Cove. Can't remember if it was 2 or 4 buses a day and only ran for the 6 week Summer School holiday period. Otherwise you have to interchange at Wareham between the two routes

hethmar

Id try to go May if I were you - you will have nice long days to do any church searching and a bit more sunshine hopefully.