HUDDERSFIELD Town fans planning a trip to Bournemouth for tomorrow’s first leg semi-final play-off clash with the Cherries are in for a treat.
Dorset’s sunshine coast has lived up to its billing in recent weeks with thousands of visitors flocking to Bournemouth to enjoy the early summer on the resort’s golden beaches.
And for fans planning to turn a Saturday afternoon backing Town into a weekend break on England’s riviera, there’s plenty to entertain them long after the final whistle has blown.
Fans travelling by coach will know they’re nearing the ground from the distinctive smell washing across the A338 Spur Road from the nearby sewage works.
But the odour is soon left behind and the few remaining miles to AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Court ground pass quickly. The stadium is located just off the Spur Road and is well signposted.
Train travellers will find the station less than a mile from the stadium. Fans should turn sharp left after leaving the station and walk straight down Holdenhurst Road.
The stadium is closer to neighbouring Boscombe than to Bournemouth and its redeveloped beachfront and famous surf reef could be the highlight of your trip if the Terriers come unstuck.
Stunning beach front homes – including upmarket ‘surf pods’ designed by Red or Dead founder Wayne Hemmingway – and funky bars and restaurants sit just a stone’s throw from the glorious sandy beaches.
Bournemouth town centre is only about two miles from the ground and has a wide range of attractions for clubbers and families alike.
Old Christchurch Road is the location for the town’s nightlife. Bars and nightclubs line the main route from the station to the town centre. But be warned – the nightlife is lively and not for those seeking an early night.
For a more relaxing break, the two cinemas on Westover Road face the Grade II listed Pavilion, built in the 1920s and still a major landmark.
The Pavilion backs on to the Lower Pleasure Gardens, the pride of the borough’s groundskeepers who tend its immaculate lawns and flowerbeds and the impressive rockery.
The gardens lead directly to the seafront with an aquarium, restaurants, an amusement arcade – and miles of miles of unspoiled beaches.
The town centre boasts all of the leading names from the High Street, while upmarket Westover Road contains several elegant boutiques and high-class jewellers.
The Dorset resort is just over 250 miles from Huddersfield.
According to the 2001 Census, Bournemouth has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth.
It was founded in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell (1758-1832), captain in the Dorset Yeomanry. Bournemouth’s growth accelerated with the arrival of the railway, becoming a recognised town in 1870. Originally part of Hampshire, it joined Dorset with the reorganisation of local government in 1974.
Bournemouth’s location on the south coast of England has made it a popular destination for tourists. The town is a regional centre of business, home of the Bournemouth International Centre and financial companies that include Liverpool Victoria and PruHealth.
In a 2007 survey by First Direct, Bournemouth was found to be the happiest place in Britain, with 82% of people questioned saying they were happy with their lives.
It boasts seven miles of beaches.
