Location and travel information
Some information to help you plan your travel. And some extra information for those of you spending a little time in the area before or after the event.
Location
Travel options
Information
Where is it?
Wareham, Dorset, UK
Wareham is a pretty market town of Saxon origin. Situated between the Rivers Frome and Piddle, it's a popular destination for those who enjoy boating up the river.
Wareham is located just on the edge of Isle of Purbeck, an unspoilt paradise in south east Dorset. We call it an “Isle” because it is largely surrounded by sea except where it is bounded by the River Frome. The Purbeck Hills (“The Purbecks”) run across the area with Corfe Castle in the largest gap. We're lucky with a micro-climate which makes it one of the sunniest places in the country in spring and autumn!
Springfield Country Club Hotel, Wareham, Dorset
The hotel is about 5-10 minutes walk from the centre of Wareham. Springfield Country Hotel, Grange Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AL
Tel: +44 (0)1929 552177
Travel options
By car
Dorset is very accessible by car from all areas on the country. And once you’re here you can embrace our leisurely pace of life as there’s not a single motorway in the whole of Dorset!
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From the east: Dorset is primarily reached by the M3 and M27 and journey times from the M25 and the home counties are in the region of 2–2.5 hours.
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From the west: We're well served by the M5 from Bristol, ideal for travellers from the North and Wales.
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Plan your drive here. Hotel is located on Grange Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AL.
By train
Wareham station (Wareham, Dorset, WRM) is on the main line, 2 hours from London Waterloo. Plan and book your train journey here
Whilst you usually will find taxis waiting outside the station, you might want to pre-book a taxi for your arrival to make sure you don't end up standing and waiting. Here are some local taxi companies you can try.
Train tip: To ensure a bargain, the key is to start looking about 12 weeks before travelling. And, two singles often beat a return. Read more here about splitting your ticket making it even cheaper (it is still the same journey, learn more about it here!)
By plane
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Nearest airport is Bournemouth (45 minutes' drive time from the hotel). You can fly to Bournemouth from: Alderney, Ayr, Dumfries, Glasgow, Guernsey, and Jersey, Leeds, and many European countries, click here for more information.
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A little further away we have Southampton Airport (SOU) which has a direct train connection to Wareham station, and a 45 minute train journey. SOU boast one of the fastest plane to train connections in Europe, with only 99 steps from the main terminal to the near-by Southampton Airport Parkway Station. Drive approx. 1-1.15 hours. Direct flights from Aberdeen, Alderney, Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey, Manchester, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle. Many European countries also fly into Southampton, for more more information click here.
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For our guest travelling further, London Heathrow (LHR) or London Gatwick (LGW) would probably be the best choices. When you search for your arrival airport, do a search for "All London Airports" and both will show up if available through your airline.
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Heathrow is approx. 2 hours away in car, 3 hours with train, and 4 hours with bus. See the different connection options Heathrow-Wareham here.
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Gatwick is approx. 2.15 hours away in car, 3 hours 20 min with train, and 4.5 hours with bus. See the different connection options Gatwick-Wareham here.
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About the local area
Purbeck - the Jurassic Coast
95 miles of coastline and 185 million years of history. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is a site of outstanding international importance for Earth Science.
Walk along the South West Coast Path and pass Old Harry Rocks, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, go fossil hunting in Kimmeridge. Fancy a day at the beach? Enjoy Swanage’s Blue Flag sandy beach or the more rugged 4 mile stretch of sand at Studland National Nature Reserve. If nature is more your thing, Durlston Country Park is a perfect place to discover the area’s rich wildlife, as is Brownsea Island and Wareham Forest.
Wareham
Wareham is a historic market town in the beautiful south coast county of Dorset, which sits on the River Frome. For a truly traditional British experience, fish and chips on the quay is not to be missed. Within a short drive of the town you can find the port at Poole Harbour, with its old lifeboat station and famous pottery. Take a boat to visit Brownsea Island, a fascinating nature reserve and the home of scouting in the United Kingdom.
The famed ruined Corfe Castle, incredible Lulworth Cove and the fossil or 'Jurassic Coast' along to Lyme Regis are all an easy drive away. For culture lovers, the isolated National Trust property "Cloud Hill" is near, which is Lawrence of Arabia's peaceful cottage and grave.
If you're planning to stay a few days before or after the conference, look at this article from The Telegraph, with some tips on local sites you might want to visit. Or this article with a Top 6 Must Visit list. And contact the Purbeck Tourist Information centre who are very helpful.