Getting to Wareham by Boat Car Train Bus
One of the best connected destinations in Dorset!
How to get to Wareham
We’ve got the details of how you can reach this beautiful riverside town whether by bus, train, car, or even boat…!
By Car ...
Wareham is fed by the A351 from the West, the A352 from the East, and the B3075 from the North and South. Being a very popular destination the roads to Wareham can get very busy, especially during the summer, so please leave plenty of time if you are heading here. Beware especially of the stretch between the Bakers Arms and Wareham known locally as the Sandford Road.
Car parks
There are several car parks in town, at: Bonnets Lane, Connegar Lane (off Church Lane), Howards Lane, Rempstone Centre (Church Street, behind Sainsburys), St John’s Hill, Streche Road and Wareham Quay. Note there are spaces at Streche Road for coaches and lorries (up to 7.5 tonnes) for a maximum 23 hours stay.
Charges apply between 10.00 am and 7.00 pm on all days of the year, including Sundays and Bank Holidays. Parking is free before 10.00 am and after 7.00 pm and a ticket must be obtained immediately.
By Bus ...
From Bournemouth: take the More Bus M1 or M2 buses to Poole, then from Poole transfer to More Bus number 40 or First Bus X54.
From Swanage: take the More Bus number 40.
From West Lulworth: take the More Bus number 30 or First Bus X54.
From Weymouth: take the More Bus number 30 or First Bus X54.
Click on logos for company travel timetables, routes, etc.
By Train ...
Wareham station is on the London Waterloo to Weymouth line, and is less than a mile from the town centre.
There are 69 spaces in the car park which is open 24 hours a day and costs £3.10 per day. There are usually taxis outside the station, and you can catch bus number X54 from near the station. There is cycle storage available.
Click on the SW Trains logo for timetables, etc.
By Boat ...
There are a number of pleasure boats trips you can take from Poole to Wareham and from the town itself.
Greenslade
Throughout the year Greenslade offers a special return cruise to Wareham from Poole Quay. Each journey takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes along the Frome river, plus time ashore. As a bonus along the way, the skipper gives a commentary pointing out places of interest and wildlife!
Brownsea Island Ferries
During the warmer months (April to September) Brownsea Island Ferries offers a morning cruise to Wareham from Poole on board one of their distinctive yellow boats. The cruise lasts 1¼ hours each way, plus time ashore.
City Cruises Poole
City Cruises Poole also offer a relaxing and tranquil cruise up the River Frome from Poole Quay. Their cruises take place in the evening and run from April to the end of August. The trips last 3 hours 30 minutes including time ashore in Wareham.
Friends of Dolphin
Another Poole based boat company is the Friends of Dolphin that visits Wareham from 11 am and returning at approximately 2.30 pm. Uniquely, it provides free trips for disabled persons of all ages and disabilities.
Wareham River Cruises
For those already in Wareham just looking for a trip up and down the River Frome to take in all there is to see, then Wareham River Cruises is the main choice. Take a 40 minute trip on their 12 seater Admiralty Whaler ‘Orca’. There is a commentary onboard describing the history of the Wareham. Trips go every 45 minutes from 10 am from 1st April until the 30th of September. In high season they may run earlier and later trips.
The Monarch paddle steamer
River trips on the paddle steamer Monarch from Wareham Quay. The Monarch is a unique steam driven paddle steamer (one of only three running in Britain) and we have been operating since 2014.
Private charter bookings: £200 for the boat for 1.5 hour trip down to Wareham Channel.
Email: purbecklivesteam@gmail.com
Website: https://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch
Traveline ...
One useful website that claims that you can plan any journey by public transport in Great Britain by bus, rail, coach and ferry is www.travelinesw.com
Traveline is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to publicise routes and times for all travel in Great Britain.
Click on the company logo for timetables, etc.
Trainline ...
Trainline claim that they are Europe’s leading train and coach app.
They work with 270 rail and coach companies to offer their customers travel to thousands of destinations in and across 45 countries in Europe.
Their aim is to bring together all rail, coach and other travel services into one simple experience so people can get the best prices and smart, real-time travel info on the go.
Click on the image on the right to go to Trainsline’s website.
