Previously an uninhabitedheathland, visited only by fishermen and occasional smugglers, a health resort was founded in the area byLewis Tregonwell in 1810. After theRingwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth Railway opened in 1870, Bournemouth grew into an important resort town, which today attracts over five million visitors annually for its coastline and nightlife.
The town is a population centre within theSouth East Dorset conurbation and is known for its seven-mile stretch of golden sand, with well-known spots including Alum Chine Beach, Durley Chine Beach, and Bournemouth Central Beach. The shoreline continues westward and gradually merges into the affluentSandbanks area andPoole. Alongside tourism, financial services now play a significant role in the local economy.
The first mention of Bournemouth comes in theChristchurchcartulary of 1406, where amonk describes how a large fish ("uni magno piscis"), 18 feet (5.5 metres) long, was washed up at "La Bournemothe" in October of that year and taken to the Manor ofWick; six days later, a portion of the fish was collected by a canon fromChristchurch Priory and taken away astithe.[2] "La Bournemowthe" was purely a geographic reference to the uninhabited area around the mouth of the small river which drained the heathland between the towns ofPoole and Christchurch.[3][4][5]
The wordbourne, meaning a small stream, is a derivative ofburna,old English for a brook.[4][6] From the latter half of the 16th century "Bourne Mouth" seems to be preferred, being recorded as such in surveys and reports of the period, but this appears to have been shortened to "Bourne" after the area had started to develop.[4][5] A travel guide published in 1831 calls the place "Bourne Cliffe" or "Tregonwell's Bourne" after its founder.[7]
The Spas of England,[8] published ten years later, calls it simply "Bourne"[9] as does an 1838 edition of theHampshire Advertiser.[10] In the late 19th century "Bournemouth" became predominant. Its two-word form appears to have remained in use up until at least the early 20th century, turning up on a 1909 ordnance map.[3][11] TheCoat of arms of Bournemouth was granted in March 1891.
A section of a 1759 map of Hampshire by Isaac Taylor, showing the Manor of Christchurch and the area around the Bourne chine
There were some prehistoric settlements in the area, notably along the River Stour, includingLongham where a skull thought to be 5,500 years old was found in 1932.Bronze Age burials nearMoordown, and the discovery ofIron Age pottery on the East Cliff in 1969, suggest there may have been settlements there during that period.Hengistbury Head, added to the borough in 1932, was the site of a much olderPalaeolithic encampment.[12][13][14]
In the 12th century, the region around the mouth of theRiver Bourne was part of theHundred ofHoldenhurst. The hundred later became theLiberty of Westover when it was extended to include the settlements of North Ashley,Muscliff, Muccleshell,Throop,Iford,Pokesdown,Tuckton andWick, and incorporated into the Manor ofChristchurch.[15] Although theDorset andHampshire region surrounding it had been the site of human settlement for thousands of years, Westover was largely a remote and barrenheathland before 1800.[16] In 1574, theEarl of Southampton said that the area was "Devoid of all habitation". As late as 1795, theDuke of Rutland recorded that "... on this barren and uncultivated heath there was not a human to direct us".[4][17]
During the latter half of the 16th centuryJames Blount, 6th Baron Mountjoy, began mining foralum in the area, and at one time part of the heath was used for hunting, although by the late 18th century little evidence of either event remained.[18][19] No-one lived at the mouth of the Bourne river and the only regular visitors to the area before the 19th century were a few fishermen, turf cutters and gangs ofsmugglers.[20]
In 1809, the Tapps Armspublic house was built on the heath. In 1812, the first official residents, retired army officerLewis Tregonwell and his wife, moved into their new home built on land purchased from Tapps. The area was well known to Tregonwell who, during theNapoleonic Wars, spent much of his time searching the heath and coastline for French invaders and smugglers.[23]
Anticipating that people would come to the area to indulge in the newly fashionable pastime ofsea-bathing, an activity with perceived health benefits, Tregonwell built a series ofvillas on his land between 1816 and 1822, which he hoped to let out.[24][25] The common belief that pine-scented air was good for lung conditions, and in particulartuberculosis, prompted Tregonwell and Tapps to plant hundreds ofpine trees. These early attempts to promote the town as a health resort meant that by the time Tregonwell died in 1832, Bournemouth had grown into a small community with a scattering of houses, villas and cottages.[24][26] The town ultimately grew around the scattered pines and tree-lined walk to the beach, later to become known as the Invalids' Walk.[27][28]
After the death of Tapps in 1835, his son SirGeorge William Tapps-Gervis inherited his father's estate. He hired the young local architectBenjamin Ferrey to developBournemouth Gardens along the coastal area on the east side of the stream.[29] Bournemouth's first hotel, later to become part of theRoyal Bath Hotel, opened in 1838 and is one of the few buildings designed by Ferrey still standing[26][29] and operating. Bournemouth grew at a fast rate, with Tapps-Gervis developing the area similarly to the south coast resorts ofWeymouth andBrighton. Despite enormous investment, the town's share of the market remained modest.[27]
In 1841, Tapps-Gervis invited the physician and writerAugustus Granville to stay. Granville was the author ofThe Spas of England, which described health resorts around the country, and as a result of his visit, he included a chapter on Bournemouth in the second edition of his book.[8] The publication of the book, and the increase in visitors seeking the medicinal use of seawater and the pine-scented air, helped the town to grow and establish itself as an early tourist destination.[30][31]
In the 1840s Benjamin Ferrey was replaced byDecimus Burton, whose plans for Bournemouth included the construction ofBournemouth Gardens alongside theBourne stream, an idea first mooted by Granville. The fields south of the road crossing, laterBournemouth Square, were drained and laid out with shrubberies and walks. Many of these paths, including the Invalids' Walk, remain in the town today.[31][32] A second suggestion of Granville's, a sanatorium, was completed in 1855 and greatly raised Bournemouth's profile as a place for recuperation.[33]
A view of Bournemouth showing the temporary wooden jetty that was replaced by an iron pier in 1880
At a time when the most convenient way to arrive in the town was by sea, apier was considered to be a necessity. The Holdenhurst parishvestry was reluctant to find the money, and an attempt to raise funds privately in 1847 only succeeded in financing a small 100-foot (30 m) jetty.[34] TheBournemouth Improvement Act 1856 (19 & 20 Vict. c. xc) granted greater financial autonomy to the town and a pier was approved that year. A number of wooden structures were built before an 838 feet (255 m) cast iron design byEugenius Birch was completed in 1880.[34][35] Under the Act, a board of 13 Commissioners was established to build and organise the expanding infrastructure of the town, such as paving, sewers, drainage, street lighting and street cleaning.[36]
In 1870, the arrival of the railways precipitated a massive growth in seaside and summer visitors to the town, especially from theMidlands and London. In 1880, Bournemouth had a population of 17,000. In 1900, when railway connections to Bournemouth were at their most developed, the town's population had risen to 60,000 and it had become a favourite location for visiting artists and writers.[24]
Bournemouth was greatly improved during this period through the efforts of SirMerton Russell-Cotes, the town's mayor and a local philanthropist, who helped to establish improved's first library and museum. TheRussell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum was housed in his mansion. After his death, it was given to the town.[37] Bournemouth became amunicipal borough in 1890 and acounty borough in 1900.[36]
As Bournemouth's growth increased in the early 20th century, the town centre spawned theatres, cafés, twoart deco cinemas, and more hotels.Bournemouth Corporation Tramways was established in 1902, becoming the town's first public transport system. In 1908, adeadly tram crash in the town gardens killed seven people. Other new buildings constructed includedthe war memorial in 1921 and theBournemouth Pavilion, the town's concert hall and grand theatre, finished in 1925.
TheBournemouth Blitz saw heavy damage to the town during theSecond World War despite initially escaping heavy bombing. A raid by Germanfighter bombers on 23 May 1943 killed 131 people and damaged 3,359 buildings, with two large hotels being completely destroyed. It is believed that the large number of RAF airmenbilleted in the town may have been the reason for the attack.[38] The seafront incurred damage when it wasfortified against invasion.[39] The cast iron lampposts and benches along the beach were removed and melted down for munitions, as was much of the superstructure from both Bournemouth andBoscombe piers, before they were breached to prevent their use by enemy ships.[39] The large amounts of barbed wire and anti-tank obstacles along the beach, and the mines at the foot of thechines, took two years to remove when peace was achieved.[40]
The Waterfront Cinema and Leisure Complex, now demolished
TheRoyal National Lifeboat Institution stationed an inshorelifeboat at Bournemouth between 1965 and 1972. Coverage for the area has otherwise been provided fromPoole Lifeboat Station.[41] In 1984, the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), a large conference and exhibition centre, was constructed near the seafront.[42] In 1985, Bournemouth was the first town in the United Kingdom to introduce and useCCTV cameras for public street-based surveillance.[26]
From 2000 to 2001 theTesco bomb campaign hit the town with a plot to extort money from Supermarket giantTesco. Visitors to the town plummeted during the campaign, especially after a bomb exploded at an elderly woman's home after she opened a letter sent by the bomber. During the eight months, over seven bombs were found byDorset Police, ranging from small letter bombs, to pipe bombs and parcel bombs. The culprit was found to be Robert Edward Dyer, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.[44]
In 1998,the Waterfront complex, which was intended to hold an IMAX cinema, was constructed on the seafront.[45] The 19-metre-high (62-foot) concrete and smoked glass building featured a wavy roof design, but was despised by residents and visitors alike because it blocked views of the bay and theIsle of Purbeck.[45][46] In 2005, it was voted the most hated building in England in a 10,000-person poll conducted by theChannel 4 programmeDemolition, and was pulled down in spring 2013.[45][47]
When the development of Bournemouth began in 1810, the site straddled the parishes of Holdenhurst and Christchurch. In 1845, anecclesiastical parish of Bournemouth was created, but for civil purposes there was no change.[51] In 1856, a body ofimprovement commissioners was established to provide local government services in the town.[52]
In 1890, Bournemouth was incorporated as amunicipal borough. In 1900, it was elevated to the status of acounty borough, making it independent fromHampshire County Council, whilst remaining part of thegeographical county of Hampshire. The borough boundaries were enlarged on several occasions. In 1901, it absorbedPokesdown,Southbourne andWinton. In 1931, it absorbed Holdenhurst andKinson. Kinson was transferred from Dorset to Hampshire on its absorption into Bournemouth.[53] In 1921, the borough council bought the former Mont Dore Hotel on Bourne Avenue, which had been completed in 1885, and converted into the Town Hall.[54]
In 1974, the county borough of Bournemouth was reconstituted as anon-metropolitan district under theLocal Government Act 1972. The district kept the same boundaries, but was transferred from Hampshire to Dorset, it being considered desirable that the whole of theSouth East Dorset conurbation should be in the same county.[36][55] Bournemouth'sborough status was transferred to the new district, allowing the council to take the nameBournemouth Borough Council and giving the chair of the council the title of mayor, continuing Bournemouth's series of mayors dating back to 1890.[56]
In April 2019, the nine councils of Dorset were merged into two. Bournemouth became part of a unitary authority with Christchurch and Poole, known as BCP.[58] For the purposes ofLieutenancy it remains part of theceremonial county of Dorset. Since the abolition of Bournemouth Borough Council in 2019, Bournemouth has hadcharter trustees, being the BCP councillors representing wards in the former borough of Bournemouth. The trustees preserve the town's civic charters and traditions, including appointing one of their number each year to serve as mayor.[59]
In October 2024, BCP Council resolved to conduct a community governance review which could lead to the creation of town and parish councils in its area. An initial draft recommended creation of a Bournemouth parish which would elect a town council, alongside creation of parish councils in the surrounding area and a town council for Poole.[60][61]
Bournemouth is about 94 miles (151 km) southwest of London.[67] The town borders the neighbouring towns of Poole and Christchurch to the west and east respectively.Poole Bay lies to the south.[68][69] TheRiver Stour forms a natural boundary to the north and east, terminating atChristchurch Harbour.[69][70] TheRiver Bourne rises in Poole and flows through the middle of Bournemouth town centre, into the English Channel.[71] The towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch form theSouth East Dorset conurbation with a combined population of over 400,000. Bournemouth is both a retail and commercial centre.[72] Areas within Bournemouth include:Boscombe,Kinson,Southbourne,Springbourne,Throop,Westbourne,Winton andPokesdown.[73]
The area's geology has little variety, comprising almost entirely ofEocene clays which, prior to urbanisation, supported a heathland environment.[74][75] Patches of the original heath still remain, notably Turbary Common, a 36-hectare (89-acre; 0.14 sq mi; 0.36 km2) site, much of which is designated aSite of Special Scientific Interest.[76] This heathland habitat is home to all six species of native reptile, theDartford warbler and some important flora such assundew andbog asphodel. Small populations ofExmoor pony andShetland cattle help to maintain the area.[77]
Bournemouth is directly north ofOld Harry Rocks which mark the easternmost end of theJurassic Coast, 96 miles (155 km) of coastline designated aWorld Heritage Site in 2001.[78] Bournemouth's coastline stretches from Sandbanks to Christchurch Harbour and is mainly sandy beaches backed by gravel and sandy clay cliffs. These cliffs are cut by a number ofchines, which provide natural access to the shore.[79] At the easternmost point lies Hengistbury Head, a narrow peninsula that forms the southern shore ofChristchurch Harbour. It is a local nature reserve and the site of aBronze Age settlement.[80][81]
Like all of the UK, Bournemouth has atemperateoceanic climate with moderate variation in annual and daily temperatures, mild summers, and cool winters. From 1991 to 2020 the annual mean temperature was 10 to 11 °C (50 to 52 °F).[82] The warmest months are July and August, which have an average temperature range of 12 to 22 °C (54 to 72 °F). The coolest months are January and February, which have an average temperature range of 2 to 9 °C (36 to 48 °F).[83][84] Average rainfall in Bournemouth is around 34.4 inches (875 mm) annually, well below the national average of 45.8 inches (1,163 mm). It records both higher and lower temperatures than would be expected for its coastal location.[85]
Since 1960, temperature extremes as measured at Bournemouth Hurn Airport have ranged from 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) in August 1990,[86] down to −13.4 °C (7.9 °F) in January 1963.[87] The lowest temperature recorded in recent years was −10.4 °C (13.3 °F) in December 2010.[88] The February and winter month record high was broken in 2019, with a temperature of 17.8 °C (64.0 °F).[89]
Bournemouth lies at the centre of agreen belt region that extends into the wider surrounding counties. It is in place to reduceurban sprawl, prevent the towns in the South East Dorset conurbation from further convergence, protect the identity of outlying communities, and preserve nearby countryside. This is achieved by restricting inappropriate development within the designated areas, and imposing stricter conditions on permitted building.[92]
Bournemouth has small areas of green belt within its district to the north and east, mostly along the fringes of the shared border with the Christchurch and East Dorset districts. These cover landscape features and greenfield facilities including the River Stour,Stour Valley Way, Millhams Mead and Stour Valley nature reserves and arboretum,Hengistbury Head, and the small communities of Throop and Holdenhurst.[92]Turbary Park is a heathland which is a protectedSite of Special Scientific Interest.[93]
In 2011 the population was 183,491, with 91,386 males and 92,105 females, which equates to 49.8% and 50.2% of the population respectively.[95][96] In 2011, themean average age was 40 years.[97] With 4,000 residents per square kilometre, Bournemouth has the highest population density of any authority in theSouth-West region, and is the eighth most populated.[98]
In 2011, 83.8% of the population described their ethnicity as 'White British'. Other white groups accounted for 8.1%.Asian groups; Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and other Asian, made up 3.9%.Black British, Black African, Black Caribbean and other Black groups were 1.0% of the population. Those ofMixed race were 2.3% of the population, and 0.9% were from other ethnic groups.[99]
In 2011, Christians were 57.1% of the population. 30% of residents said they had no religion and 7.8% declined to say whether they were religious or not. Muslims were 1.8%. Buddhists, Hindus and Jews each had a 0.7% share, Sikhs were 0.1%. and other religions made up 0.7%.[94]
Historical population of Bournemouth
Year
Population
Year
Population
Year
Population
1801
726
1871
13,160
1941
128,099
1811
738
1881
18,725
1951
144,531
1821
877
1891
34,098
1961
149,106
1831
1,104
1901
52,981
1971
153,906
1841
1,605
1911
82,424
1981
140,216
1851
2,029
1921
96,741
1991
158,711
1861
7,594
1931
113,557
2001
163,441
Historical population figures are for an area that equates to the modern Unitary Authority of Bournemouth[100] Source: GIS / University of Portsmouth, A Vision of Britain through Time.[101]
In 2011, of Bournemouth residents aged 16 or over, 19.1% had no qualifications at all. 35% said they had between one and fourO-levels,CSEs,GCSEs or equivalent. 36.5% have more than five O-level equivalents (grade C and above), anA-level or two to three AS-levels. 8.0% of residents had aNVQ level 1. 15.2% had a level 2 NVQ, aCity and Guilds craft certificate,BTEC or general diploma. Just over 20% of residents had two or more A-levels, four or more AS-Levels or anadvanced diploma.[102]
15.8% possessed a degree, such as a BA or BSc or a higher degree such as an MA or PhD. An NVQ level 4 or 5,HNC,HND, higher BTEC orhigher diploma, is held by 4.2%. A professional qualification is held by 13.9% of residents. Anapprenticeship has been completed by 6.3% of the population. 16.9% have some other work-related or vocational qualification. 8.3% hold a foreign qualification.[102]
Historically, Bournemouth has had negative rates of natural increase and has relied on immigration to maintain population growth. In 2007, births exceeded deaths for the first time, and this trend has continued through to 2011. This, coupled with a substantial increase in people moving into the area, has led to a sharp rise in the resident population since 2001.[98][103]
Of the population, 3.3% are 85 or over, compared to 2.2% nationally. The largest group of people moving into the area are students in the 16–24-year age group. 9% of the current population are between 20 and 24. In England this age group accounts for 7%.[103] In 2016, Bournemouth's population had the third highest average resident age, among 63 large towns and cities in the UK, at 42.8 years.[104]
Financial services are crucial to the town's economy and Unisys was a major employer in the industry.
Similarly to the rest of Dorset, Bournemouth's economy is primarily in theservice sector, which employed 95% of the workforce in 2010.[105] This was 10% higher than the average employment in the service sector for Great Britain and 11% higher than theSouth West.[105] Of particular importance are the financial and public service sectors which through 2011 continued to show sustained growth. Compared to the rest of the country, Bournemouth performed well in these two areas but under performed in transport and communications.[106]
Tourism is important to the local economy. In 2011, domestic and overseas visitors made more than 5.6 million trips to the town and spent over £460 million between them. Tourism supported 8,531 full-time jobs, accounting for 15% of employment in Bournemouth.[110] Bournemouth seafront is one of the UK's biggest attractions, with 4.5 million visitors in 2011.[111]RNLI lifeguards provide seasonal coverage of Bournemouth's beaches.[112]
With a third of all town centre businesses in the leisure industry, Bournemouth has a booming nightlife economy and is a popular destination forstag and hen parties.[113][114] These party-goers contribute £125 million a year to the economy and support 4,000 jobs. In 2010, Bournemouth was awarded a Purple Flag for providing a wide variety of night-time activities while maintaining the safety of both residents and visitors.[114] An independent report published in 2012 indicates there has been a rise in antisocial behaviour which it attributes to the increase in nightlife.[113]
Those of working age make up approximately 65% of Bournemouth's population. Of these, 74.6% are economically active, although not necessarily employed within the Bournemouth area.[108] In 2011, the Bournemouth economy employed more than 76,400 people, but not all of these were Bournemouth residents.[109] Of those employed in Bournemouth based industries, 29.32% were employed in the public administration, education and health sector. This compares favourably with Dorset, the South-West region, and the country as a whole. Distribution, hotels & restaurants employed 29.06%. Banking, finance and insurance employed 24.48%.[115]
In 2011, 37.2% of Bournemouth's resident population were employed full-time. 13.3% were employed part-time. 7.1% full-time workers are self-employed, and 3.1% are self-employed part-time. Full-time students with jobs were 5.3%. 3.8% were unemployed.[115]
The shopping streets are mostly pedestrianised with modern shopping malls, Victorian arcades and a large selection of bars, clubs, and cafés. Westover Road in central Bournemouth has been referred to in local press as the "Bond Street of Bournemouth" due to the shops there, one of which has been present since 1909,[116] selling predominantly high-end goods.[117]North of the centre there is an out-of-town shopping complex called Castlepoint. The 41-acre (17 ha) site has 40 units and was the largest shopping centre in the UK when it opened it 2003.[118] Other major shopping areas are in the districts of Westbourne and Boscombe.
Bournemouth is a tourist and regional centre for leisure, entertainment, culture and recreation. Local author and former mayor, Keith Rawlings, suggests that Bournemouth has a thriving youth culture due to its large university population and many language school students.[119][120] In recent[when?] years, Bournemouth has become a popular nightlife destination with UK visitors and many clubs, bars and restaurants are located within the town centre.[120][121] In a 2007 survey byFirst Direct, Bournemouth was found to be the happiest place in the UK, with 82% of people questioned saying they were happy with their lives.[122]
Major venues for concerts includeBIC,Pavilion Theatre andO2 Academy.[123] Built in 1984, the BIC is also a popular place for party political conferences and has been used by all three major political parties.[124] Its four auditoria make it the largest venue on the south coast.[125] The O2 and Pavilion are older and are bothGrade II listed buildings. The O2, which opened in 1895 as the Grand Pavilion Theatre, was initially used as acircus and later formusic hall theatre. The Pavilion opened in 1929 as concert hall and tea room while providing a venue for the municipal orchestra. It continues to provide traditional entertainment today, presenting West End stage shows, ballet and operas.[126][127][128]
The Palace Court Theatre opened in 1931, was later used as a Christian centre, and has recently[when?] been bought and reopened as a theatre by Arts University Bournemouth.[129] Bournemouth has more than 200 listed buildings, mainly from theVictorian andEdwardian eras, including three Grade I listed churches:[128]St Peter's (largely by the architectG. E. Street),[130]St Clement's (the first major church byJ. D. Sedding)[131] andSt Stephen's (considered a masterpiece ofJ. L. Pearson's).[132]
TheLower, Central and Upper Gardens are Grade II*public parks, leading for several miles down the valley of theRiver Bourne through the centre of the town to the sea.[136] Bournemouth has a further 425 acres (172 ha) of parkland. Initially serving to compensate for the loss of common rights after common land wasenclosed in 1802, it was held in trust until 1889 when ownership passed to Bournemouth Corporation and the land became five public parks:King's Park,Queen's Park,Meyrick Park, Seafield Gardens andRedhill Common.[7][137]
The detailed Land Use Survey by theOffice for National Statistics in 2005 noted that the local authority area of Bournemouth had the third-highest proportion of land taken up by domestic gardens, 34.6%, of the 326 districts in England; narrowly less than the London Boroughs ofHarrow andSutton at the time with 34.7% and 35.1%.[138]
One of Bournemouth's most noted cultural institutions isBournemouth Symphony Orchestra which was formed in 1893 underDan Godfrey.[139][140] It became the first municipal orchestra in the country when in 1896, Bournemouth Borough Council took control and Godfrey was appointed musical director and head of the town's entertainments.[139][141] Originally playing three concerts a day during the summer season, in the great glasspalm house known as theWinter Gardens;[140][142] the orchestra is now based in Poole and performs around 130 concerts a year acrossSouthern England.[143]
Bournemouth Christmas Market in 2019
Bournemouth is host to a number of festivals. Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival is a ten-day event which combines a market with live cookery demonstrations.[144] The Arts by the Sea Festival is a mix of dance, film, theatre, literature, and music[145] which was launched in 2012 by the local university, theArts University Bournemouth, and is set to become an annual event.[146] TheBourne Free carnival is held in the town each year during the summer. Initially a gay pride festival, it has become a celebration of diversity and inclusion.[147]
Bournemouth was especially rich in literary associations during the late 19th century and earlier 20th century.P. C. Wren author ofBeau Geste,Frederick E. Smith, writer of the633 Squadron books, andBeatrice Webb, later Potter, all lived in the town.[152]Paul Verlaine taught at a Bournemouthpreparatory school[153][154] and the writerJ. R. R. Tolkien, spent 30 years taking holidays in Bournemouth, staying in the same room at the Hotel Miramar. He eventually retired to the area in the 1960s with his wife Edith, where they lived close toBranksome Chine. Tolkien died in September 1973 at his home in Bournemouth but was buried inOxfordshire. The house was demolished in 2008.[155]
Robert Louis Stevenson wroteThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and most of his novelKidnapped from his house "Skerryvore" on the west cliff,Westbourne.[157] A novel of Stevenson's life while residing in Westbourne was written by Adelaide A. Boodle, who had met him there.[158]Henry James, already acquainted with Stevenson through correspondence, and residing in Bournemouth in 1885 in large part because his invalid sisterAlice lived there, visited Stevenson most evenings.[159]
Boscombe Pier in 2019The Grade II listed entrance to Boscombe Pier
The borough has two piers:Bournemouth Pier, close to the town centre, and the shorter but architecturally more importantBoscombe Pier. Designed by the architect Archibald Smith, Boscombe Pier opened in 1889 as a 600 feet (180 m) structure. It was extended to 750 feet (230 m) in 1927 when a new head was constructed.[168] Added in 1958, the boomerang-shaped entrance kiosk and overhanging concrete roof is now a Grade II listed building. In 1961 a theatre was added. This was demolished in 2008 when the rest of the pier was renovated.[168][169] In 2009, fashion designerWayne Hemingway described Boscombe Pier as "Britain's coolest pier". It was voted Pier of the Year 2010 by theNational Piers Society.[170]
In 1856, Bournemouth Pier was a simple, wooden jetty. This was replaced by a longer, wooden pier five years later, and a cast-iron structure in 1880.[35] Two extensions to the pier in 1894 and 1905, brought the total length to 305 metres (1,001 feet). AfterWorld War II, the structure was strengthened to allow for the addition of a Pier Theatre, constructed in 1960. This survived until the 2000s when it was turned into a climbing adventure centre. Between 1979 and 1981, a £1.7 million redevelopment programme, saw a great deal of reconstruction work, and the addition of a large two-storey, octagonal-shaped entrance building.[35]
Built as the Mont Dore Hotel in 1881,Bournemouth Town Hall was designated a Grade II listed building in 2001. Designed by Alfred Bedborough in the French, Italian and neo-classical styles, the foundation stone was laid by King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway and the hotel opened in 1885.[171][172][173] The buff brick exterior features Bath stone dressings and terracotta friezes. The main entrance is sited within a projected façade that reaches to the eaves and is topped with a pediment, while above sits a belvedere with turrets and a pavilion roof.[172] During the First World War the hotel was used as a hospital for British andIndian soldiers and after as a convalescent home. It never opened as a hotel again and was purchased by Bournemouth Borough Council in 1919.[174] Other Victorian hotels in Bournemouth include theRoyal Bath Hotel in the Town Centre and theNorfolk Royale Hotel inRichmond Hill.
Built in theArt Deco style in 1929, situated close to the seafront, thePavilion Theatre was at the time considered to be the greatest ever municipal enterprise for the benefit of entertainment.[175] Built from brick and stone, the frontage features squareCorinthian columns.[171] Still a popular venue, it is today a Grade II listed building.[175]
Orchard Street is the only Street in Bournemouth.
The Bournemouth Eye was a helium-filled balloon attached to a steelcable in thetown's lower gardens. The spherical balloon was 69 metres (226 feet) in circumference and carried an enclosed, steel gondola. Rising to a height of 150 metres (490 feet), it provided a panoramic view of the surrounding area for up to 28 passengers.[176][177] After the balloon suffered damage in 2016, the Bournemouth Borough Council, Lower Central Gardens Trust and S&D Leisure announced in 2017 that the contract for operating the Bournemouth Eye would not be renewed due to "increased operating costs."[178]
Bournemouth is known for having only one "street". This is Orchard Street, now a small alley between Commercial Road and Terrace Road. Originally named because it led to an orchard, it pre-dates the build up of the modern town. The 19th century developers thought that names such as Road, Avenue and Drive would be more suitable names, with Street associated with poorer areas of existing towns and cities.[179]
Bournemouth Cricket Club also plays at Bournemouth Sports Club and is reported to be one of the biggest cricket clubs in the country. Its first team plays in the Southern Premier League.[185]Dean Park is a former county cricket ground, once home toHampshire County Cricket Club and laterDorset County Cricket Club. Today it is a venue for university cricket.[186]
TheBournemouth Rowing Club is the town'scoastal rowing club. Established in 1865, asWestover and Bournemouth Rowing Club, it is reported to be the oldest sporting association in the county. The club regularly competes in regattas organised by the Hants and Dorset Amateur Rowing Association, which take place on the south coast of England between May and September.[188]
Other watersports popular in Poole Bay include sailing and surfing; there are a number of local schools for the beginner to learn either sport.[189] Bournemouth has the third largest community of surfers in the UK and, in 2009, an artificial surf reef, one of only four in the world, was constructed there.[190] The reef failed to deliver the promised grade 5 wave, suffered a series of delays and ran over budget, finally costing £3.2 million.[191][192]
The town is home to Bournemouth and SouthamptonOctopush Club, otherwise known as underwater hockey.[193] They train at Ringwood Leisure Centre, as well as Totton Health and Leisure Centre inSouthampton. In the 2023 Nautilus Tournament, Bournemouth and Southampton OC finished 7th (out of 7) in Division 2.[194]
The principal route to the town centre is theA338 spur road, a dual carriageway that connects to theA31 close to the Hampshire border. The A31 joins theM27 atCadnam and, from there, theM3 to London and theA34 to the Midlands and the North can be accessed.[197]
The main road west is theA35 toHoniton in Devon which runs through the South East Dorset Conurbation and continues east as far as Southampton, albeit as a non-primary route.[198] TheA350 in the neighbouring borough of Poole provides the only northern route out of the conurbation.[199]
Bus services are operated byMorebus, who run all local services around the town and to Christchurch, Lymington, New Milton, Poole and Ringwood.[200]
Yellow Buses ceased operating in August 2022. It was the former Bournemouth Council-owned company and successor to Bournemouth Corporation Transport which began operating trams in 1902.[201][202]
Situated near the village ofHurn inChristchurch, Dorset, the airport is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from Bournemouth town centre and serves around 600,000 passengers annually.[207] There are direct flights to 23 international destinations in nine countries:Cyprus,Finland,Greece (3 destinations),Italy (4),Malta,Portugal,Spain (10),Switzerland andTurkey.[208]
The Bournemouth local education authority was first set up in 1903 and remained in existence until local government wasreorganised in 1974 when Bournemouth lost itsCounty Borough status and became part of the county of Dorset. Under thelater reforms of 1997, Bournemouth became aunitary authority and the Bournemouth local education authority was re-established.[209][210]
The local council operates a traditional two-tier system whereby pupils attend one of the 26 primary schools in the borough before completing their education at secondary school.[211] Bournemouth is one of the minority of local authorities in England still to maintainselective education, with twogrammar schools (one for boys, one for girls) and tensecondary modern/non-selective schools.[212] There are a small number of independent schools in the town.[213]
In 2012, 60.7% of the borough's school leavers gained 5 GCSEs of grade C or above. This was slightly better than the national average of 59.4% and above the average for the rest of Dorset, with 58.8% of pupils from the local authority of Poole, and 54.1% from the remainder of the county, managing to do likewise.[218]
To serve a rapidly expanding population a third church was built in thetown centre in 1891. St Augustin's church was commissioned byHenry Twells who was 'priest-in-charge' there until 1900.[226][227] The largest church in the town is the Richmond Hill St Andrew's Church, part of theUnited Reformed Church. Built in 1865 and enlarged in 1891, it has aseating capacity of 1,100 and is unusually ornate for a non-conformist church.[228][229]
Holy Trinity Church was built, at 161, Old Christchurch Road, in 1868-9 inItalian Romanesque style, designed byCory & Ferguson ofCarlisle. A tower was added in 1878. It was deconsecrated in 1973, and burnt down in 1979. The site now has a modern office building named "Trinity".[230][231]
Few purpose-built places of worship exist in the borough for faiths other than Christianity, although with a higher proportion of Jewish residents than the national average, there are three synagogues.[232]Chabad-Lubavitch of Bournemouth is a branch of the worldwide movement. TheBournemouth Reform Synagogue, formerly known as Bournemouth New Synagogue, is aReform Jewish synagogue with over 700 members.[233][234] The architecturally notableBournemouth Hebrew Congregation synagogue was built in 1911 with anArt Nouveau take on theMoorish Revival style.[235] There are twoChristadelphian meeting halls in the town.[236]
The Bournemouth Islamic Centre provides information, support and a place of worship for theIslamic community. There is also a mosque in the town.[237]
Although it has a significant presence in Bournemouth town centre,Bournemouth University's main campus is in Poole, on the boundary with Bournemouth.[238]
Women's rights and temperance campaignerEmily Langton Massingberd (1847–1897) built and sometime lived in the Red House, now theLangtry Manor Hotel in Bournemouth.[254] AuthorsRadclyffe Hall (1880–1943)[255] poet and author, who wroteThe Well of Loneliness a groundbreaking work in lesbian literature came from Bournemouth andDilys Powell (1901–1995)[256] journalist, film critic ofThe Sunday Times for over fifty years went to school there. Primatologist and anthopologistJane Goodall (1934-2025) lived in later life in Bournemouth.[257]
Patrick Ensor (1946–2007)[258] editor ofGuardian Weekly from 1993 to 2007 also came from Bournemouth.
Bournemouth has been home to a number of musicians, includingAndy Summers, the guitarist from the globally acclaimed band,The Police, who was born on 31 December 1942, and spent his formative years in Bournemouth. Summers discovered his passion for music there and honed his skills on the guitar playing with local bands. His musical journey led him to The Police, where his intricate guitar work became iconic. Summers later enjoyed a successful solo career, blending rock, jazz, and world music in his solo albums. Collaborations with fellow Bournemouth nativeRobert Fripp showcased his virtuosity and artistic prowess that also spans other artistic disciplines – film composing, writing, film making, and photography.[citation needed]Max Bygraves (1922–2012)[259][260] comedian, singer, actor and variety performer. The composerSir Hubert Parry (1848–1918) was born in Bournemouth. One of Britain's most prolific composers of choral music he is probably best known for his setting toWilliam Blake's words ofJerusalem.[261]Alex James, best known as the bassist of therock bandBlur, attendedBournemouth School before moving to London.[262] The rock bandKing Crimson included many musicians from Bournemouth[263] including brothersMichael Giles (drums) andPeter Giles (bass).
A distinguished resident of Bournemouth wasSir Donald Coleman Bailey, (1901–1985) a civil engineer who invented theBailey bridge.[274] Bailey was knighted in 1946 for his bridge design when he was living inSouthbourne in Bournemouth.
A blue plaque on the Wall of St Peter's Churchyard commemorating the resting place of members of the Shelley family
^In accordance with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recommendations, the Met Office maintains long-term averages of the UK climate, based on standard 30-year periods. The latest 30-year period is for 1991–2020.
^Agriculture data is excluded from ONS figures at a sub-regional level, therefore an estimate has been made using DEFRA 2010 data. As there is little farming within the Bournemouth area, this has a minimal effect.
^abGranville, A. B. (1971).Spas of England and principal sea-bathing places ([1st ed. reprinted] ed.). Bath: Adams and Dart.ISBN0-239-00085-4.OCLC539370.
^abc"Bournemouth, Garden by the Sea"(PDF).Diamond Jubilee Civic Honours Bid. Bournemouth County Council. May 2011. p. 3. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 June 2013. Retrieved9 September 2012.
^"Rural Atlas".Disadvantaged Districts. Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Archived fromthe original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved27 November 2012.
^Stuart Clarke."River Path".The Stour in Bournemouth. England in Particular. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved27 November 2012.
^abc"Current Local Economic Overview"(PDF).Bournemouth Economic Bulletin. Bournemouth Borough Council. February 2012. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 June 2013. Retrieved25 February 2013.
^abc"Employment by Sector"(PDF).Bournemouth Statistics – Economy. Bournemouth Borough Council. 2011. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 June 2013. Retrieved29 March 2013.
^"Bournemouth"(PDF).Value of Tourism. South West Research Company. 2011. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 13 May 2013. Retrieved27 February 2013.
^"Bournemouth, Garden by the Sea"(PDF).Diamond Jubilee Civic Honours Bid. Bournemouth County Council. May 2011. pp. 9 & 10. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 June 2013. Retrieved9 September 2012.
^"Bournemouth, Garden by the Sea"(PDF).Diamond Jubilee Civic Honours Bid. Bournemouth County Council. May 2011. p. 2. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 June 2013. Retrieved9 September 2012.
^"A-Z list of destinations - Bournemouth Airport".Bournemouth Airport. Bournemouth International Airport Limited. Archived fromthe original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved2 April 2016.This is a comprehensive list of all the destinations served by charter or scheduled flights from Bournemouth Airport. Alicante; Corfu; Dalaman; Faro; Geneva; Girona; Gran Canaria; Ibiza; Ivalo; Lanzarote; Mahon, Menorca; Malaga; Malta; Murcia; Naples; Palma, Majorca; Paphos; Rhodes; Skiathos; Tenerife; Turin; Venice; Verona
^"A Picture of Bournemouth"(PDF). Bournemouth Borough Council. 2011. pp. 11–12. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 3 October 2013. Retrieved21 November 2012.
^Ruth Pauline Goldschmidt-Lehmann (1973).Anglo-Jewish Bibliography, 1937–1970. Jewish Historical Society of England.
^David Soetendorp (2003). "A Generation Confronting the Loss of Community".European Judaism.36.
^Sharman Kadish, Jewish Heritage in England : An Architectural Guide, English Heritage, 2006, pp. 80–81
^"History".Find your local Christadelphians - Dorset. ukchristadelphians.org.uk. 2017.Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved29 January 2018.
^"Faith". BBC Dorset. 2012.Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved23 August 2013.
Andrews, Ian; Henson, Frank (2004).Images of England – Bournemouth. Stroud, Glos: Tempus Publishing Ltd.ISBN0-7524-3065-3.
Ashley, Harry W.; Ashley, Hugh (1990).Bournemouth 1890–1990 (a brief history of Bournemouth over the last 100 years). Bournemouth:Bournemouth Borough Council.
Cave, Paul (1986).A History of the Resort of Bournemouth. Southampton: Paul Cave Publications Ltd.ISBN0-86146-039-1.
Edwards, Elizabeth (1981).A History of Bournemouth. Chichester: Phillimore & Co Ltd.ISBN0-85033-412-8.
Emery, Andrew (2008).A History of Bournemouth Seafront. Stroud, Glos: Tempus Publishing Ltd.ISBN978-0-7524-4717-9.
Rawlings, Keith (2005).Just Bournemouth. Wimborne: Dovecote Press.ISBN1-904349-39-0.
_-_St_Peter%2527s_Church_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1505128.jpg)
.jpg)
_(14573968419).jpg)
_(14778510921).jpg)
.jpg)
