The Royal Bath Hotel,
Bournemouth
The venue for the Romance Writing Festival is the Royal Bath Hotel and was Bournemouth's first ever hotel.
Located on a prime sea front position with amazing views, multiple dining options, bars and Health & Leisure Club, the Grade II listed hotel was opened on Queen Victoria’s coronation day in 1838.
Oscar Wilde frequented the hotel with his lover Lord Alfred Douglas, whilst Mary Shelley's grave is just a few minutes' walk away.
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The hotel is just yards from the sandy beaches and Bournemouth Town Centre, and is one mile from the train station.
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The festival will take place in the King's Hall, allegedly the inspiration for the ballroom set for the movie of Roald Dahl's The Witches.
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Make the most of the festival and stay overnight with our vip ticket packages.
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The hotel is fully accessible.
Getting Here
Parking
Car parking is not available at the hotel but there is a BCP council car park right next to it called Bath Road South Car Park. Across the main road is Bath Road North Car Park. These two are the closest available car parks.
Of course, there are many bus routes into the town centre, and the main drop-off stops for the majority of buses are just across the road from the hotel.
By Train
A Rail Replacement Service is in operation on Saturday 18th October, replacing trains between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth. Please check Southwestern Railways' website for up to date information.
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Bournemouth Train Station has direct routes from Manchester, Birmingham and Reading with Virgin Trains or London Waterloo and Southampton with South Western Trains. The station is one mile from the venue.
By Bus
National Express and Megabus services call at the bus station next to the train station, one mile from the hotel.
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Multiple local bus routes stop at The Square, just a few minutes walk from the venue.