Off on your annual vacation or perhaps you are undertaking a short break to Normandy. Maybe you are backpacking around the continent or you've had a long journey to get to the port.
All you want to do is get aboard, find a spot to call your own, curl up and relax. Well, aboard Brittany Ferries vessel Barfleur you are assured of your 'creature comforts' as this small, though beautifully formed ferry has a homely comforting warmth.
Operating the Poole (UK) to Cherbourg (France) route, the reliable workhorse Barfleur undertakes the short four hour journey from the beautiful natural harbour of Poole close to the UK’s Jurassic Coastline & the New Forrest to the Normandy region of France.
With a few days to spare and in need of a great value for money last minute getaway with some cosmopolitan culture, I made an online booking through Brittany Ferries website, received confirmation within five minutes, grabbed my trusty backpack, styled my trademark mohawk and headed off.
That's the great thing about ferry travel - it's so easy to pack up and go!
Grab a cuppa, curl up, get comfy and read on to see what I got up too.
Well connected by both train and coach, Poole can be reached from London in only a few hours however, owing to other commitments I decided to take my own vehicle.
All bar the last few miles the journey was via motorway and dual carriageway with numerous service stations enabling me to stretch my legs and grab a coffee whenever I desired – why rush? I am on a minibreak after all.
Arriving at the Port of Poole a giant overhead gantry spanning the terminal entrance welcomed travellers with further signage directing them to the ‘drop off zone’, the terminal building and the car park. This was great as I had never travelled from this port before.
Rows of baggage trollies lined the pavement of the passenger drop off area which is particularly handy if travelling with many suitcases – don’t forget there are no luggage restrictions when travelling by ferry.
Requiring car parking whilst I was abroad there was no issue finding a space within the vast compound which benefits from a fully fenced perimeter and floodlighting - all very reassuring.
Conveniently payment would be collected upon my return by simply inserting my parking ticket into the machine and paying the appropriate fee by credit/debit card . This flexibility meant I wasn’t fixed to a return date if I decided to stay longer in Normandy plus, it meant I didn't have to rush back if I was fixed to a return time before the parking ticket expired.
The terminal building is literally across the road from the car park and being a small port with only a few services a day I didn't have to dodge traffic - great if travelling with children, the elderly or infirm.
Ramp access to its entrance and being a single levelled facility, those with walking difficulties would not have an issue.
Within the terminal one will find plenty of seating, a direct dial telephone to a local taxi firm for those arriving into Poole from France and requiring a transfer to the town, WC facilities, plenty of three pin power sockets for the charging of electrical devices and a counter service cafeteria.
Brittany Ferries check-in personnel arrived for the morning sailing to Cherbourg at 0600hrs – the shutters of the desks being raised revealing the smiling faces of the staff behind; the staff were exceptionally friendly, polite and made me feel welcomed – one even offered to make me a coffee should the adjacent café not be open!
That's the great thing about travelling from a small regional ferry port - you are assured of personal attention where everyone has time to chat well, to be fair my trademark haircut tends to engage people in conversation which is kind of the point and enables me to promote ferry travel as THE way to travel from A to B.
The café did actually open at 0600hrs and was ready to serve passenger immediately – the personnel again being exceptionally friendly plus, the very reasonably priced sausage bap and coffee being very good!
After just a short wait foot passengers were being called for embarkation; everyone leisurely walking through an airport style metal detector and having their bags screened by officers who also took the time to chat and engage in conversation; all was very swift and after a (very) short transfer to the ferry by courtesy bus, I was aboard Barfleur.
It should be noted the embarkation tower between the quayside and the vessel is fully ramped – no stairs - therefore, as with the terminal, if you have walking difficulties you will not have a problem.
Barfleur was built in 1992 specifically for the route she still serves to this day. Her long career shows she is an ideal vessel for the route she was designed for.
Navigation aboard is easy and other than the two quiet lounges with Pullman style reclining seats and ensuite passenger cabins, all amenities are located on Deck 7.
The aforementioned lounges can be accessed by the stairwell within the ships’ reception – a fully carpeted, pleasant and intimate space featuring a curved information desk mirroring the centralised circular sofa adorning the foyer positioned beneath a circular ceiling light.
Each lounge is subdivided into smaller sections and have windows spanning their entire length making them particularly pleasant areas to quietly relax and read a book or have a snooze.
Floor to ceiling built-in luggage racks enable passengers to store their belongings though larger items can be dropped off at the terminal and taken aboard by trailer and collected in Cherbourg from the conveyor belt.
Also, although the voyage is only around four hours in length, cabins are available to rent - all with ensuite facilities. How good is that!
Alternatively, at an additional charge, Barfleur offers a separate Club Lounge which benefits from free WiFi and large comfortable seating.
Let’s explore Barfleur
At the forward end of Deck 7 one will find a brightly decorated dining room periodically open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Pre-plated fresh salads, succulent cold meats and moist cakes are beautifully presented in a long counter. With so much choice it is difficult to decide what to purchase.
Set priced meals are served by attentive crew; the offerings clearly advertised above the counter.
The seating area is intimate & fully carpeted boasting comfortable sofas and free standing chairs decorated with vivid orange and cooling grey fabrics with 80's style patterned bulkheads and bright neon lighting above which I personally enjoyed.
Walking aft one transits a long window lined arcade featuring occasional tables and chairs affording the best views of the passing vistas.
Mirrored display cabinets reflect the sunlight and promote the diverse array of products available within the shop.
A tourist information desk is located within the same area and offers a selection of brochures & maps of the Normandy region of France - imagine gazing out to sea with the French coastline coming into view flicking through a brochure and planning your exciting onward adventures.
The onboard shop is more akin to a small boutique featuring a range of regional souvenirs and designer sunglasses together with a selection of wines, beers, spirits, fragrances, confectionary, travel accessories and tobacco products.
Have a good explore as you will undoubtably find some bargains.....
....but don't leave your copy of Brittany Ferries onboard magazine 'Voyage' in your car showing the promotions. Don't worry, you can pick one up onboard - it is a very good read!
The main hub of the ship is towards the stern of Deck 7 where one can find the bar, Le Café and family lounge with gaming arcade.
The later is a large full width facility featuring a children's entertainer (peak sailings). During my voyage a magician was aboard who proved so poplar with both children and adults alike it was difficult to walk past the crowds – he was very good!
The counter service snack bar of Le Café offers both hot and cold beverages together with a tempting selection of pizzas and baguettes – ideal if the weather is good as these can be taken onto the exterior deck where you could have lunch breathing in the fresh sea air.
Finally, the ships’ bar - Les Alizes - dominates the aft section of Deck 7 which is open throughout the voyage.
The royal blue and chrome fixtures and fittings create a stylish though informal atmosphere where one can chat with friends, family and fellow passengers whilst gazing out to sea or periodically peering up at one of the ceiling mounted TV screens.
Numerous seating arrangements are provided from cosy sofa booths, free standing chairs and bar stools; one could quite easily while away the short voyage in here.
Reasonably priced alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages are served by attentive personnel – drinks can be taken onto the adjacent exterior deck as there is a dedicated section featuring waist height tables and and a smoking area.
I've got to say there is no better experience than having a cold beer on deck just watching the world go by in beautiful sunny weather - it really puts you in the holiday mood! ( The hair had to be up to get the all over tan! )
Barfleur offers an exceptional amount of exterior deck space for the size of the ship enabling passengers to wander around the numerous decks and find a spot to call their own.
As Barfleur transits the beautiful Poole Bay and passes the stunning Purbeck cliffs and heath of Studland & Godlingston National Nature Reserve, nothing is more pleasing than to sit on deck with a cold beer and watch the passing vistas and wave at the passing motor boats, sailing yachts and jet skis.
Seamlessly in no time at all we arrive in Cherbourg, Normandy.
Just as in Poole, foot passengers disembark via a shoreside tower and travel to the ferry terminal by a port courtesy bus.
Vlog: this is what you can find within the terminal:
Conveniently, the Port of Cherbourg is located very close to the city.
Foot passengers can jump in a bus which stops just across the road from the terminal alternatively, one can walk - like I did.
It's only 20min away and offers a wide pavement with cycle lane and passes the attractive marina with colourful fishing boats and pleasure craft.
To get to the town just follow the black and white walkway out of the port and follow the signage - easy!
Who would want to fly to Normandy and endure lengthy airport bus transfers when the ferry takes you right into the heart of the action?
And this is what awaits you!
Cherbourg is a beautiful and friendly town with an array of independent boutiques and pavement restaurants and bars.
In short, this last minute mini break was excellent!
With fine weather forecast I was able to book online a few hours before departure, throw an overnight bag in the car and drive to Poole and after a short time at sea I was in my boutique hotel close to the waterfront savouring the delights of Cherbourg.
Here is my journey vlog:
If you are travelling from the east, Brittany Ferries also operate from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. Blogs can be found on my website. Why not take a look?
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