O2 Academy Bournemouth
Getting here
By bus
Yellow Buses travel between us in Boscombe to Poole, Castlepoint, Bournemouth, Christchurch via East Cliff (numbers 1c, 2, 24, 26, 26a, 33) and Wilts & Dorset buses (M2 and X3) cover Boscombe via routes to Poole, Southbourne and Salisbury.
All run regularly from Boscombe bus station, at the eastern entrance of the Sovereign Centre.
Night bus services also run from Boscombe bus station with Wilts & Dorset buses along to Poole and Southbourne.
Most buses are equipped with bus lowering systems and steps, for easier access.
By train
We have two train stations nearby.
Bournemouth railway station is around 2,000 metres away from the venue. It’s on the South West main line for services to and from London and Weymouth.
Accessible facilities can be found at National Rail.
For details, about entrance and exits, parking and drop off, step free access including ramps, height adjustable counters, indication loops, toilets (radar key), and staff support.
Pokesdown railway station is slightly closer at around 1,100 metres away. It’s serves local areas as well as on the South West main line from London Waterloo to Weymouth and Poole.
Smaller than Bournemouth, it has fewer facilities and is inaccessible to wheelchair users, so check before you travel.
Parking and by car
We’re easy to get to from the M27 and A31 and A338.
If you’re driving, free on street parking can be found in the local area.
Hawkwood Road main car park is long stay, use postcode BH5 1BY for sat nav. It has two disabled parking bays and is around 300 metres away.
At weekends, the Sovereign Centre car park is just next door and is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, charges apply.
Accessible parking and by car
Our main entrance is in a pedestrianised location, so please do get in touch with any questions for drop off.
Hawkwood Road main car park has two disabled parking bays and is around 300 metres away.
At weekends, the Sovereign Centre car park is just next door and is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday with accessible parking bays and lifts. Charges apply.
By bike
Look out for bike racks in local streets.
Venue opening times
We’ll have opening times and curfew times if they’re out of the ordinary for seasoned gig-goers (7pm-11pm) on the event page of this website and on our social channels, too. All timings are subject to change, so check before you travel.
Age restrictions
It’s always best to check the age restrictions for each event in advance as they vary from show to show.
A few obvious ones:
No under 8s please (think about it), but feel free to contact us if you’re unsure and avoid disappointment.
8-13 years, you’ll need to attend with an adult (18+) please and be in the Dress Circle.
Some shows that are 14+ but -16 – we’ll translate – that means if you’re between 14 years and 16 years, you’ll need to come with an adult (someone 18+).
Look for these signs, 14+, 16+, 18+, 21+… before you book and remember to carry proof of age if you need it. Find out what we accept and more in our FAQs.
Have we got it all covered?
Hopefully, but if we’ve missed anything, it will be in our FAQs (with any luck).