136-601: Nothe Gardens is a public garden, located in Weymouth, Dorset , England . Positioned on the Nothe Peninsula overlooking both Weymouth and Portland harbours, the informal gardens are often acclaimed to be the most beautiful the borough has to offer. The gardens include Nothe Fort , built in 1872 to protect Portland's harbour, and today a museum and tourist attraction. On the coast below
272-463: A temperate climate ( Köppen climate classification Cfb ), with a small variation in daily and annual temperatures. The average annual mean temperature from 1991 to 2020 was 11.6 °C (52.9 °F). The warmest month is August, which has an average temperature range of 14.4 to 20.3 °C (57.9 to 68.5 °F), and the coolest is February, which has a range of 4.1 to 8.9 °C (39.4 to 48.0 °F). Maximum and minimum temperatures throughout
408-406: A unitary authority in 1997 and was replaced by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in 2019; the current unitary authority also covers Poole , Christchurch and adjoining land. The town centre has notable Victorian architecture . St Peter's Church has a 202-foot (62 m) spire and is one of three Grade I listed churches in the borough. The town also has both an events venue and
544-476: A 36-hectare (89-acre; 0.14 sq mi; 0.36 km ) site, much of which is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest . This heathland habitat is home to all six species of native reptile, the Dartford warbler and some important flora such as sundew and bog asphodel . Small populations of Exmoor pony and Shetland cattle help to maintain the area. Bournemouth is directly north of Old Harry Rocks ,
680-628: A concert hall, the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion Theatre respectively. The first mention of Bournemouth comes in the Christchurch cartulary of 1406, where a monk 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 of Wick ; six days later, a portion of the fish
816-588: A decline in popularity. This was helped by a high-profile anti-Conservative campaign by musician Billy Bragg . The seat was gained from Labour by Richard Drax for the Conservatives at the 2010 General Election, and held by him in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Weymouth and Portland have been twinned with the town of Holzwickede in North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany, since 1986, and the French town of Louviers , in
952-545: A large selection of bars, clubs, and cafés. 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. Other major shopping areas are situated 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
1088-540: A lifeboat at Weymouth for the first time on 26 January 1869. A boathouse was built with a slipway by the harbour and is still in use, although the lifeboat is now moored at a pontoon. In 1887, to mark the 50th year of Queen Victoria 's reign, a multi-coloured Jubilee Clock was erected on the esplanade . During World War I, about 120,000 Australian and New Zealand Army Corps personnel convalesced in Weymouth after being injured at Gallipoli or other theatres of
1224-421: A long, continuous arc of buildings which face Weymouth Bay along the esplanade, which is home to statues of Victoria , George III and Sir Henry Edwards , Member of Parliament for the borough from 1867 to 1885, and two war memorials . In the centre of the town lies Weymouth Harbour, separating the two areas of Melcombe Regis (the main town centre) and Weymouth (the southern harbourside) from each other. Since
1360-454: A massive growth in seaside and summer visitors to the town, especially from the Midlands and London. In 1880 the town had a population of 17,000, but by 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. The town was improved greatly during this period through
1496-523: A narrow peninsula that forms the southern shore of Christchurch Harbour . It is a local nature reserve and the site of a Bronze Age settlement. Like all of the UK, Bournemouth has a temperate oceanic 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). The warmest months are July and August, which have an average temperature range of 12 to 22 °C (54 to 72 °F), while
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#17328585434921632-442: A new borough called Weymouth and Portland . Further local government reforms in 2019 abolished the borough of Weymouth and Portland, with that council's functions passing to Dorset Council as the new unitary authority for the area. A new civil parish called Weymouth was created at the same time for the unparished part of Weymouth and Portland, corresponding to the pre-1974 borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. The Town Council
1768-404: A place for recuperation. At a time when the most convenient way to arrive in the town was by sea, a pier was considered to be a necessity. The Holdenhurst parish vestry was reluctant to find the money, and an attempt to raise funds privately in 1847 had only succeeded in financing a small 100-foot (30 m) jetty. The Bournemouth Improvement Act of 1856 granted greater financial autonomy to
1904-445: A result which accounts for 15% of all employment in the town. Bournemouth seafront is one of the UK's biggest attractions with 4.5 million visitors in 2011. RNLI lifeguards provide seasonal coverage of Bournemouth's beaches. With a third of all town centre businesses in the leisure industry, Bournemouth has a booming nightlife economy and is a popular destination for stag and hen parties. These party-goers contribute £125 million
2040-411: A substantial increase in people moving into the area, has led to a sharp rise in the resident population since 2001. Of the total population, 3.3% are 85 or over, compared to 2.2% nationally; however the largest group of people moving into the area are students in the 16-24-year age group, and 9% of the current population are between 20 and 24. In England this age group accounts for only 7%. According to
2176-527: A thriving youth culture due to its large university population and many language school students. In recent years, Bournemouth has become a popular nightlife destination with UK visitors and many clubs, bars and restaurants are located within the town centre. In a 2007 survey by First Direct , Bournemouth was found to be the happiest place in the UK, with 82% of people questioned saying they were happy with their lives. Major venues for concerts include BIC , Pavilion Theatre and O2 Academy . Built in 1984,
2312-469: A ticketed site. The rest of the Gardens remained open for residents and visitors without charge. Nothe Fort recruited 150 people to help out as marshals during the games, as an expected 4,600 ticketed spectators a day flocked to the official view point during the fortnight. 50°36′21″N 2°26′52″W / 50.6059°N 2.4478°W / 50.6059; -2.4478 Weymouth, Dorset Weymouth ( / ˈ w eɪ m ə θ / WAY -məth )
2448-470: A total population of 55,535 in 2021. A larger "greater Weymouth" area defined by CityPopulation.de, including Bincombe, Chickerell, Osmington and Portland, has a population of 72,802. The number of residents has grown steadily since the 1970s and there is an above average number of residents aged 60–84 (27.4%); however, this is less than the Dorset average of 30.2%, and the proportion of those between 18 and 59
2584-570: A venue for the municipal orchestra. It continues to provide traditional entertainment today, presenting West End stage shows, ballet and operas. The Palace Court Theatre opened in 1931, was later used as a Christian centre, and has recently been bought and reopened as a theatre by Arts University Bournemouth. Bournemouth has more than 200 listed buildings, mainly from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, including three grade I churches; St Peter's , St Clement's and St Stephen's. The Russell-Cotes Museum
2720-513: A year to the economy and support 4,000 jobs. In 2010 the town was awarded a Purple Flag for providing a wide variety of night-time activities while maintaining the safety of both residents and visitors. An independent report published in 2012 indicates there has been a rise in antisocial behaviour which it attributes to the increase in nightlife. Those of working age make up approximately 65% of Bournemouth's population and of these, 74.6% are economically active although not necessarily employed within
2856-497: Is a Grade II* listed , villa completed in 1901. It houses artefacts and paintings collected by the Victorian philanthropist Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife during their extensive travels around the world. The four art galleries display paintings by William Powell Frith , Edwin Landseer , Edwin Long , William Orchardson , Arthur Hughes , Albert Moore and Dante Gabriel Rossetti . It
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#17328585434922992-483: Is a coastal resort town in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole unitary authority area, in the ceremonial county of Dorset , England. The 2021 census built-up area had a population of 196,455, making it the largest town in Dorset. Previously an uninhabited and rarely-visited heathland , other than by occasional fishermen and smugglers, a health resort was founded in the area by Lewis Tregonwell in 1810. After
3128-544: Is a Grade II listed building and contains artefacts from the Roman, Tudor and Georgian periods, which relate to the town and its surrounding area, including a collection of historic maps and documents. Nothe Fort was an operational coastal fort from 1872 to 1956. It is now a museum dedicated to its own history and that of coastal defence. Sited on the same promontory as the fort are Nothe Gardens , an informal garden of trees and established shrubberies. A large expanse of grass
3264-613: Is a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast . The 155 km (96 mi) of the Dorset and east Devon coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is important for its geology and landforms . The South West Coast Path has two routes around Weymouth and Portland—one around its coast, and one along the South Dorset Downs , which reduces the path's length by 31.0 km (19.3 mi). The steep ridge of chalk, locally known as The Ridgeway, separates Dorchester and Weymouth. Weymouth
3400-452: Is a popular place for ball games and picnics while other areas are used for a nature trail and orienteering . Orienteering also takes place at Lodmoor Country Park , which is close to the town centre and also the venue for a weekly 5 km fun run. Other facilities include an outdoor gym and children's play park. Adjacent is the RSPB salt marsh nature reserve. More formal gardens, in and around
3536-501: Is a seaside town and civil parish in the Dorset district , in the ceremonial county of Dorset , England . Situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey , 7 miles (11 km) south of the county town of Dorchester , Weymouth had a population of 53,416 in 2021. It is the third-largest settlement in Dorset after Bournemouth and Poole . The history of the town stretches back to
3672-506: Is also above the Dorset average. The population is 95.2% White British , slightly below the Dorset average of 95.6%, and well above the England and Wales average of 80.5%. The most common religious identity in Weymouth and Portland is Christianity, at 61.0%, which is slightly above the England and Wales average of 59.3%. The next-largest group is those with no religion, at 29.3%, slightly above
3808-506: Is also varied. A vast array of choice trees and established shrub beds are found in the area. The Friends of the Nothe Gardens are a band of residents and locals who care about the gardens and promote the enjoyment of the area. The supporters main goal is to make the gardens "a jewel amongst Weymouth's attractions". In recent times, the trust has been funded by a grant from the Lottery. For
3944-593: Is based at the Civic Centre (formerly known as Bournemouth Town Hall) on Bourne Avenue in Bournemouth. The area that is now Bournemouth was historically mostly within the ancient parish of Christchurch in Hampshire. A chapel of ease was established at Holdenhurst to serve the west of the parish, and the chapelry of Holdenhurst subsequently came to be treated as a separate civil parish from medieval times. When
4080-540: Is based at the New Town Hall on Commercial Road. The borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis had been created in 1571, administratively uniting the two formerly separate boroughs. It was reformed in 1836 to become a municipal borough under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 , which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country. The borough boundaries were significantly enlarged in 1933 when
4216-516: Is based at the New Town Hall, which had been built in 1860 as a school, then served as an arts centre from 1955 until 2007. It was then converted to become the offices of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, and transferred to the new Weymouth Town Council on the local government reorganisation in 2019. The following wards of Weymouth elect councillors to Dorset Council: Littlemoor and Preston , Melcombe Regis , Radipole , Rodwell and Wyke , Upwey and Broadwey and Westham . Weymouth, Portland and
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4352-399: Is both a retail and commercial centre. Areas within Bournemouth include: Boscombe , Kinson , Southbourne , Springbourne , Throop , Westbourne , Winton and Pokesdown . The area's geology has little variety, comprising almost entirely of Eocene clays which, prior to urbanisation, supported a heathland environment. Patches of the original heath still remain, notably Turbary Common,
4488-470: Is held by 13.9% of residents. An apprenticeship has been completed by 6.3% of the population while 16.9% have some other work-related or vocational qualification and 8.3% hold a foreign qualification. Historically Bournemouth has suffered from negative rates of natural increase and has relied on immigration to maintain population growth. In 2007 however, births exceeded deaths for the first time, and this trend has continued through to 2011. This, coupled with
4624-472: Is one of the few buildings designed by Ferrey still standing and operating. Bournemouth grew at a faster rate as Tapps-Gervis began developing the area similarly to the south coast resorts of Weymouth and Brighton . Despite enormous investment, the town's share of the market remained modest. In 1841 Tapps-Gervis invited the physician and writer Augustus Granville to stay. Granville was the author of The Spas of England , which described health resorts around
4760-408: Is predominantly based in neighbouring Poole, but still employed 2% of the workforce in 2010 and 2.6% in 2011. Notable employers in this sector include Escor Toys and Parvalux . Tourism is also 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. The equivalent of 8,531 full-time jobs exist as
4896-399: Is public open space today. In 1888, the Gardens were at the beginning of their establishment. During World War II , the gardens to the west of Nothe fort were the location of an anti-aircraft gun battery comprising four Vickers Armstrong QF 3.7-inch AA guns . The battery was later removed, entirely by the 1970s, and replaced by a car park. A restored gun of the same type is now situated on
5032-490: Is relatively low, at just over 4%, much of the work is seasonal, part time, and low paid. A Government initiative to help reinvigorate seaside economies was announced in 2015 and in 2019, Weymouth was awarded £3.79 million from the Coastal Communities Fund. The money will help with refurbishment of the area around the town's quay; first proposed in 2006, the plans were abandoned in favour of other works prior to
5168-479: Is situated nearby at Weymouth's South Pier, and has become scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The area attracts many types of animals and species, and often displays various bird species and grey squirrels. Other animals found in the area includes bats, roe deer, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, shrews, mice and slow worms, amongst other creatures such as insects, whilst plant life
5304-577: Is the largest town in the area, larger than the county town of Dorchester , which lies 11 km (7 mi) to the north, and hence is a centre of activity for the nearby population. Weymouth's esplanade is composed of Georgian terraces, which have been converted into apartments, shops, hotels and guest houses. The buildings were constructed in the Georgian and Regency periods between 1770 and 1855, designed by architects such as James Hamilton, and were commissioned by wealthy businessmen. These terraces form
5440-422: Is the location of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy , where the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games were held. The modern town of Weymouth originated as the two settlements of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis , on opposite sides of Weymouth Harbour in Dorset . The older of the two, on the south side, was referred to as Weymouth as early as the 10th century, as part of
5576-561: Is thought to be the first port at which the Black Death came into England in June or July 1348, possibly aboard either a spice ship or an army ship from Calais , where fighting was taking place in the Hundred Years' War . In their early history, the two towns were rivals for trade and industry, and many arguments broke out over use of the harbour. In 1571, Queen Elizabeth I became so tired of
Nothe Gardens - Misplaced Pages Continue
5712-506: The Art Deco , a tourist information centre and café was built (2020), along with repairs and painting to existing Victorian-style shelters and new cafe seasonal kiosks, a beach rescue centre (2020), and a sand art pavilion for the sculptures of Mark Anderson. Other alterations to the promenade were made, particularly around key areas such as the Jubilee Clock and the pier bandstand, with
5848-555: The Duke of Gloucester , built a country house named Gloucester Lodge there; the Duke spent the winter of 1780 at the house. George III made Weymouth his summer holiday residence on fourteen occasions between 1789 and 1805, even venturing into the sea in a bathing machine . In celebration of the king's patronage, in 1810, a painted statue was placed on the seafront. Known simply as the King's Statue , it
5984-531: The Earl of Southampton noted that the area was "Devoid of all habitation", and as late as 1795 the Duke of Rutland recorded that "... on this barren and uncultivated heath there was not a human to direct us". There were some prehistoric settlements in the area, notably along the River Stour, including Longham where a skull thought to be 5,500 years old was found in 1932. Bronze Age burials near Moordown , and
6120-601: The Hampshire Advertiser . In the late 19th century "Bournemouth" became predominant, although 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. The Coat of arms of Bournemouth was first granted on 24 March 1891. In the 12th century the region around the mouth of the River Bourne was part of the Hundred of Holdenhurst . The hundred later became
6256-467: The Liberty of Westover when it was extended to include the settlements of North Ashley, Muscliff , Muccleshell, Throop , Iford , Pokesdown , Tuckton and Wick , and incorporated into the Manor of Christchurch . Although the Dorset and Hampshire region surrounding it had been the site of human settlement for thousands of years, Westover was largely a remote and barren heathland before 1800. In 1574
6392-470: The Napoleonic Wars , spent much of his time searching the heath and coastline for French invaders and smugglers. Anticipating that people would come to the area to indulge in the newly fashionable pastime of sea-bathing , an activity with perceived health benefits, Tregonwell built a series of villas on his land between 1816 and 1822, which he hoped to let out. The common belief that pine-scented air
6528-614: The Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours in 2022 but was unsuccessful. On 13 March 2022, 21-year-old Thomas Roberts was stabbed to death in Bournemouth Town Centre by Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai in a high-profile murder case. On 31 May 2023, two people died and eight others were injured in an incident at Bournemouth beach . There is one tier of local government covering Bournemouth, at unitary authority level: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council , which
6664-517: The Purbeck district are in the South Dorset parliamentary constituency , which elects one Member of Parliament: since 2024, Lloyd Hatton ( Labour ). Dorset South was the most marginal Labour seat in the 2001 general election , won by 153 votes. Jim Knight was expecting to have a difficult 2005 election, yet he won with a margin of 1,812 votes—this was in contrast to other areas, where Labour suffered
6800-479: The Purbeck district are in the South Dorset parliamentary constituency . A seaside resort , Weymouth and its economy depend on tourism. Visitors are attracted by its harbour and position, approximately halfway along the Jurassic Coast , a World Heritage Site , important for its geology and landforms. Once a port for cross-channel ferries, Weymouth Harbour is now home to a commercial fishing fleet, pleasure boats and private yachts, while nearby Portland Harbour
6936-583: The Red Barracks were constructed for cavalry troops stationed at Nothe. They were badly damaged in 1798 by a fire and work started on new buildings and a parade ground at Radipole. These premises could house 953 officers and men together with 986 horses. The Red Barracks were rebuilt in 1801 and given over to infantry. Militarisation of the town continued through the Victorian era , with work starting on Portland Harbour in 1849. Built specifically to accommodate
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#17328585434927072-626: The Ringwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth Railway opened in 1870, it grew into an important resort town which attracts over five million visitors annually with the town's beaches and popular nightlife. It now has a financial sector that is worth more than £1 billion in gross value added . Part of Hampshire since before the Domesday Book , it was assigned to Dorset under the Local Government Act 1972 in 1974. Bournemouth Borough Council became
7208-473: The River Wey before it flows into Weymouth Harbour, are important habitats for fish and migratory birds, and over 200 species of plants. Radipole is an important tourist attraction; it and Weymouth Beach are situated very close to the town centre. There are 11 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the borough, which cover an area of 1,979 acres (801 ha), and there are 37 other Nature Conservation Designations . Situated approximately midway, Weymouth
7344-471: The South East Dorset conurbation should be in the same county. Bournemouth's borough status was transferred to the new district, allowing the council to take the name Bournemouth Borough Council and giving the chair of the council the title of mayor, continuing Bournemouth's series of mayors dating back to 1890. On 1 April 1997, Bournemouth Borough Council became a unitary authority , taking over
7480-499: The department of Eure in Normandy, since 1959. Weymouth is built on weak sand and clay rock which in most places along the Dorset coast, except for narrow bands at Lulworth Cove , Swanage and Durdle Door , has been eroded and transported away. This weak rock has been protected at Weymouth by Chesil Beach and the strong limestone Isle of Portland that lies offshore, 3 km (2 mi) south of Wyke Regis. The island affects
7616-536: The sediment regime in Weymouth Bay, narrowing the beach at Greenhill and widening the sands in Weymouth. A study conducted as part of the redevelopment of the Pavilion complex showed that the proposed marina will contribute slightly to this effect, but sand dredged out of the marina could be used to make the beach up to 40 m (130 ft) wider. Due to its location on the south-west coast of England, Weymouth has
7752-600: The 12th century and includes roles in the spread of the Black Death , the settlement of the Americas and the development of Georgian architecture . It was a major departure point for the Normandy Landings during World War II . Prior to local government reorganisation in April 2019, Weymouth formed a borough with the neighbouring Isle of Portland . Since then the area has been governed by Dorset Council . Weymouth, Portland and
7888-422: 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. A travel guide published in 1831 calls the place "Bourne Cliffe" or "Tregonwell's Bourne" after its founder. The Spas of England , published ten years later, calls it simply "Bourne" as does an 1838 edition of
8024-411: The 18th century they have been linked by successive bridges over the narrowest part of the harbour. The present Town Bridge , built in 1930, is a lifting bascule bridge allowing boats to access the inner harbour . The sand and clay on which Weymouth is built is very low-lying—large areas are below sea level, which allowed the eastern areas of the town to flood during extreme low pressure storms. In
8160-594: The 1970s, cheap package holidays abroad caused a reduction in the town's tourist trade, and harbour trade also suffered a decline; but the number of ferry passengers continued to rise and in 1980 a new terminal with improved facilities was built. From 1990, the demand for bigger vessels forced the cross-channel ferry operators to transfer to larger ports, such as Poole; the last ferry left Weymouth in 2015. There are two tiers of local government covering Weymouth, at civil parish (town) and unitary authority level: Weymouth Town Council and Dorset Council . The town council
8296-502: The 1980s and 1990s a sea wall was built around Weymouth Harbour and along the coast road in Preston; a rip rap groyne in Greenhill and beach nourishment up to Preston have created a wide and artificially graded pebble beach, to ensure that the low-lying land around Lodmoor does not flood. The defences at Preston, the extended ferry terminal and the widening of the esplanade have changed
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#17328585434928432-552: The 2012 Olympics. In addition to beautification and better access, aimed at attracting visitors, there will be improved facilities for fishermen, including secure compounds for equipment and increased cold storage for catches. The town was voted Number 1 in The Times and Sunday Times Best UK Beaches 2023, and best UK beach in the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Awards 2024. There are over two hundred events held throughout
8568-554: The Americas to bolster the population of Weymouth, Nova Scotia and Salem, Massachusetts , then called Naumking. During the English Civil War , control of Weymouth changed a number of times and the town was much damaged as a result. When conflict first broke out in 1642, Weymouth was peacefully occupied by Parliamentarians , but it was captured in August the following year by 2,000 Royalist cavalry and held until June 1644, when it
8704-535: 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. Bournemouth is represented by two parliamentary constituencies in the House of Commons; Bournemouth East and Bournemouth West . In the 2024 general election , the former was gained for Labour by Tom Hayes with 40.8% of
8840-576: The BIC is also a popular place for party political conferences and has been used by all three major political parties. Its four auditoria make it the largest venue on the south coast. The O2 and Pavilion are older and are both Grade II listed buildings . The O2, which opened in 1895 as the Grand Pavilion Theatre, was initially used as a circus and later for music hall theatre. The Pavilion opened in 1929 as concert hall and tea room while also providing
8976-898: The Bournemouth area. Industry in Bournemouth employed more than 76,400 people in 2011 but not all of these were Bournemouth residents. 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, as do the other large sectors; distribution, hotels & restaurants (29.06%), and banking, finance and insurance (24.48%). 37.2% of Bournemouth's resident population are employed full-time while 13.3% are employed part-time. An additional 7.1% full-time workers are self-employed, 3.1% are self-employed part-time. Full-time students with jobs account for 5.3% and 3.8% are unemployed. The shopping streets are mostly pedestrianised with modern shopping malls, Victorian arcades and
9112-546: The Centre for Cities in 2016, Bournemouth's population had the third highest average age among 63 large towns and cities in the UK, at 42.8 years. Similarly to the rest of Dorset, Bournemouth's economy is primarily in the service sector , which employed 95% of the workforce in 2010. This was 10% higher than the average employment in the service sector for Great Britain and 11% higher than the South West . Of particular importance are
9248-649: The Isle of Portland, Dorchester, Poole, Wool , Beaminster , Axminster , and to other villages and the town's holiday parks. Weymouth is connected to towns and villages along the Jurassic Coast by route X53 , which runs from Axminster to Weymouth, through Lyme Regis , Charmouth , Bridport and Abbotsbury . In addition, More Buses operate a summer only service to Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Wool, Dorchester, Wareham and Swanage. Bournemouth Bournemouth ( / ˈ b ɔːr n m ə θ / BORN -məth )
9384-411: 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. Turbary Park is a heathland which is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest . The 2011 census records the population of Bournemouth as 183,491, comprising 91,386 males and 92,105 females, which equates to 49.8% and 50.2% of
9520-576: The Sea Life Trust. Weymouth railway station is the terminus of a route from London Waterloo , and a route from Westbury , Bristol and Gloucester . A station that handled summer tourist traffic was demolished in 1986 after this traffic declined. A smaller station took up part of the site and the rest was given over to commercial development. Services to London Waterloo began running every 30 minutes from December 2007, but services through Bristol to Cardiff were reduced. An unusual feature of
9656-403: The UK, it is a business-led initiative supported by Government legislation that enables the local businesses to raise funding to improve the trading environment. The town has undergone considerable regeneration , much of it in anticipation of 2012 Summer Olympics . Work began in 2007 on improvements to the esplanade: a public square was constructed around the restored statue of King George III,
9792-465: The United Kingdom average, and monthly rainfall totals throughout the year are less than the UK average, particularly in summer; this summer minimum of rainfall is not experienced away from the south coast of England. The average annual rainfall of 770.4 mm (30.3 in) is well below the UK average of 1,163.0 mm (45.8 in). The population of Weymouth civil parish at the 2021 census
9928-559: The United Kingdom, along with many south coast towns. The resort averaged 1904.4 hours of sunshine annually between 1991 and 2020, which is 44% of the maximum possible, and 42% above the United Kingdom average of 1402.7 hours. December is the cloudiest month (64.5 hours of sunshine), November the wettest (98.7 mm (3.9 in) of rain) and July is the sunniest and driest month (245.6 hours of sunshine, 40.7 mm (1.6 in) of rain). Sunshine totals in all months are well above
10064-466: The Weymouth Civic Society decided to rebuild a replica of the structure inside the grounds of the fort. The replica was equipped with an original 90mm searchlight and associated equipment, and remains accessible to the public through entry to the fort. It is situated on the northern side of the fort. Another searchlight emplacement, used as a sentry light to guard the entrance of Weymouth Harbour,
10200-433: The Weymouth and Portland Sailing Events in the 2012 Olympics, the gardens were closed to the public, where organising committee LOCOG decided to charge spectators £20 to £50 for a day's admission to the gardens to view the sailing events. As a result, the local residents vented anger at the borough councillors for supporting the plan. A fence was built and sectioned off part of the Nothe Gardens to enable it to be managed as
10336-457: The area has otherwise been provided from Poole Lifeboat Station . The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), a large conference and exhibition centre, was constructed near the seafront in 1984, and in the following year Bournemouth became the first town in the United Kingdom to introduce and use CCTV cameras for public street-based surveillance. In 1993, the IRA orchestrated a terrorist attack in
10472-478: The area is in Melcombe Regis, consisting of two pedestrianised streets (St. Thomas's and St. Mary's Street), shops along the esplanade, and a new precinct stretching from St. Thomas's Street to the harbourside, built in the 1990s. There are shops and restaurants in the pedestrianised Hope Square and Brewers Quay, which are linked to the town centre by town bridge and a small passenger ferry service across
10608-412: The average of 25.1%. Tourism is important to the local economy, employing 17% of the local workforce. In 2019, over two million day trips and 469,600 longer stays, brought £209,560,000 of visitors money into the Weymouth and Portland area. Weymouth's coast and beaches, lakes, museums, aquarium, and two shopping centres are the main attractions for visitors. The visitor accommodation consists of hotels on
10744-560: The beach, later to become known as the Invalids' Walk. After the death of Tapps in 1835, his son Sir George William Tapps-Gervis inherited his father's estate. He hired the young local architect Benjamin Ferrey to develop Bournemouth Gardens along the coastal area on the east side of the stream. Bournemouth's first hotel, later to become part of the Royal Bath Hotel , opened in 1838 and
10880-459: The borough council bought the former Mont Dore Hotel on Bourne Avenue, which had been completed in 1885, and converted into the Town Hall. The county borough of Bournemouth was reconstituted as a non-metropolitan district in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 . The district kept the same boundaries, but was transferred from Hampshire to Dorset, it being considered desirable that the whole of
11016-471: The construction of Bournemouth Gardens alongside the Bourne stream , an idea first mooted by Granville. The fields south of the road crossing (later Bournemouth Square ) were drained and laid out with shrubberies and walks. Many of these paths, including the Invalids' Walk, remain in the town today. A second suggestion of Granville's, a sanatorium, was completed in 1855 and greatly raised Bournemouth's profile as
11152-649: The coolest months are January and February, which have an average temperature range of 2 to 9 °C (36 to 48 °F). 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. Since 1960, temperature extremes as measured at Bournemouth Hurn Airport have ranged from 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) in August 1990, down to −13.4 °C (7.9 °F) in January 1963. The lowest temperature recorded in recent years
11288-419: The country, and as a result of his visit, he included a chapter on Bournemouth in the second edition of his book. 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. In the 1840s Benjamin Ferrey was replaced by Decimus Burton , whose plans for Bournemouth included
11424-401: The development of Bournemouth began in 1810, the site straddled the parishes of Holdenhurst and Christchurch. An ecclesiastical parish of Bournemouth was created in 1845, but for civil purposes the town continued to straddle the parishes of Holdenhurst and Christchurch. A body of improvement commissioners was established in 1856 to provide local government services in the town. Bournemouth
11560-474: The discovery of Iron 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 older Palaeolithic encampment. During the latter half of the 16th century James Blount, 6th Baron Mountjoy , began mining for alum in the area, and at one time part of the heath was used for hunting, although by
11696-414: The easternmost end of the Jurassic Coast , 96 miles (155 km) of coastline designated a World Heritage Site in 2001. Bournemouth's own coastline stretches from Sandbanks to Christchurch Harbour and comprises mainly sandy beaches backed by gravel and sandy clay cliffs. These cliffs are cut by a number of chines which provide natural access to the shore. At the easternmost point lies Hengistbury Head,
11832-413: The efforts of Sir Merton Russell-Cotes , the town's mayor and a local philanthropist, who helped to establish the town's first library and museum. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum was housed in his mansion, and after his death, it was given to the town. Bournemouth became a municipal borough in 1890 and a county borough in 1900. As Bournemouth's growth increased in the early 20th century,
11968-454: 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. The smallest geographical region for which gross value added information is available is the NUTS3 area, Bournemouth and Poole. The latest figures, as of 2012 , are for
12104-496: The front were removed and melted down for munitions, as was much of the superstructure from both Bournemouth and Boscombe piers before they were breached to prevent their use by enemy ships. The large amounts of barbed wire and anti-tank obstacles along the beach, and the mines at the foot of the chines , took two years to remove when peace was finally achieved. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution stationed an inshore lifeboat at Bournemouth between 1965 and 1972. Coverage for
12240-416: The gardens are Stone Pier at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour and Newton's Cove on the other side. The Nothe is an area, covering 40,000 square metres of land, that has not been changed by modern development. In the past, the area played an important military role as defence of Weymouth port, whilst today it is a more tranquil place. The main flat top of the Nothe Gardens was once a military encampment and
12376-520: The ground; low-lying coastal areas on the South Coast of England such as Weymouth experience milder winters than the rest of the United Kingdom. The lowest temperature of −9.8 °C (14.4 °F) was recorded on 13 January 1987. The growing season in Weymouth lasts for more than 310 days per year, and the borough is in Hardiness zone 9b. Weymouth and Portland has one of the sunniest climates in
12512-455: The hands of five private owners, including James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury , and Sir George Ivison Tapps . In 1809 the Tapps Arms public house was built on the heath. A few years later, in 1812, the first official residents, retired army officer Lewis Tregonwell and his wife, moved into their new home built on land purchased from Tapps. The area was well known to Tregonwell who, during
12648-461: The harbour and the esplanade, after the Ritz Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1954. The Pavilion was owned and operated by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, providing a venue for local community groups and schools, and hosting seasonal 'end-of-the-pier' entertainment and year-round shows and events. A failed proposal to regenerate the area in 2006, led the council to announce the demolition of
12784-418: The harbour's backwaters from Radipole Lake. For centuries the harbour was a passenger terminal and trade and cargo port: goods handled included wool and spices, and in the 20th century, fertiliser and cars. Cross-Channel ferry services ceased in 2015 but the harbour is still a working port with docks, unloading areas and a fishing fleet, which in 2004 had 82 boats, catching the largest mass of fish in England and
12920-530: The harbour. In 2005 the town centre had 292 shops and 37,500 m (404,000 sq ft) of floorspace, and there was 0.4 km (100 acres) of industrial estate in the area. Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell have been a Fairtrade Zone since 2007 and in May 2013 local businesses voted in favour of creating the Weymouth Business Improvement District (BID). Like other BIDs located around
13056-518: 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. 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
13192-529: The introduction of new cafes and bars, improved lighting and seating areas with planting, fountains and trees. Figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government , in 2014 and 2019, suggested that the ex-borough of Weymouth and Portland was in the top 10% of the most deprived districts in the UK. Central Weymouth and the Littlemoor estate were the town's worst areas. Although unemployment
13328-691: The late 18th century little evidence of either event remained. 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 of smugglers . Prior to the Christchurch Inclosures Act 1802 , more than 70% of the Westover area was common land . The act, together with the Inclosure Commissioners' Award of 1805, transferred 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) into
13464-415: The neighbouring parishes of Broadwey , Preston , Radipole , Upwey and Wyke Regis were all abolished and their areas absorbed into the borough (with some adjustments to the boundaries with other neighbouring parishes). The borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis was abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 . The area was merged with the neighbouring urban district of Portland to become
13600-406: The new steam navy, the project was completed in 1872. Between 1860 and 1872, Nothe Fort was constructed at the entrance of Weymouth Harbour, overlooking the new harbour at Portland. Weymouth's popularity, both as a trading port and as a holiday destination, also grew in this period and the arrival of the railway in 1857 boosted both industries. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution stationed
13736-480: The next two largest sectors with a 13.66% share each. Most businesses, 83.1%, had less than nine employees while only 0.5% were large, employing over 250 staff. Two of the area's largest employers are the aerospace parts manufacturer, FGP systems, and the retail clothing firm, New Look . Weymouth Harbour is long and narrow, and formed the estuary of the River Wey until the building of a dam in 1872, which separated
13872-418: The parish of Wyke Regis , and by 1252 had become a chartered borough and established seaport, trading in imported wine. Melcombe Regis, on the north side, was first noted in the 11th century. It developed separately from the mid 12th century onwards and in 1310 was a licensed wool port . However, French raiders found the port so accessible that in 1433 the staple was transferred to Poole . Melcombe Regis
14008-440: The petitioning that she united the two towns in an Act of Parliament , to form a double borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis . Both towns have become known as Weymouth, despite Melcombe Regis being the main centre. The villages of Upwey , Broadwey , Preston , Wyke Regis, Chickerell , Southill , Radipole and Littlemoor have since become part of the built-up area. King Henry VIII had two Device Forts built to protect
14144-607: The population respectively. The mean average age of all persons is 40 years. With 4,000 residents per square kilometre, Bournemouth has the highest population density of any authority in the South-West region, and is the eighth most populated. Much of the population, 83.8%, describe their ethnicity as ' White British ' while other white groups account for a further 8.1%. Asian groups; Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and other Asian, make up 3.9%. Black British , Black African, Black Caribbean and other Black groups form 1.0% of
14280-423: The population while 15.2% have a level 2 NVQ, a City 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 an advanced diploma while 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 or higher diploma , is held by 4.2% and a professional qualification
14416-720: The population, Those who are Mixed race make up 2.3% of the population, and 0.9% are from other ethnic groups. Christians made up 57.1% of the population but 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%. Of all Bournemouth residents aged 16 or over, 19.1% had no qualifications at all, although 35% said they had between one and four O-levels , CSEs , GCSEs or equivalent, and 36.5% have more than five O-level equivalents (grade C and above), an A-level or two to three AS-levels. Those with an NVQ level 1 comprise 8.0% of
14552-491: The provision of county council functions from Dorset County Council . As from April 2019, the nine councils of Dorset were merged into two and Bournemouth became part of a unitary authority with Christchurch and Poole (known as BCP). For the purposes of the Lieutenancy it remains part of the ceremonial county of Dorset. Since the abolition of Bournemouth Borough Council in 2019, Bournemouth has had charter trustees , being
14688-610: The railways in Weymouth was that, until 1987, main line trains ran through the streets and along the Weymouth Harbour Tramway to the Quay station at the eastern end of the harbour, to connect with ferries to mainland Europe . Due to declining business, goods traffic ceased in 1972 but passenger services continued until 1987. The line officially closed in 2016 and, in 2020, work began on its removal. Local bus services are provided by First Bus Wessex . Routes run from Weymouth to
14824-487: The ramparts of Nothe Fort. A 90-millimetre searchlight defence was situated at the bottom of the garden, overlooking Portland Harbour to illuminate surface targets. It would have been constructed between 1940–41, using concrete. The emplacement remained in the gardens throughout the 20th century, until it was destroyed by a landslip in 1988. However, by this point the Nothe Fort had become a tourist attraction, and members of
14960-454: The seafront, guest houses around the town centre, and caravan and camping sites just out of town, including three sites owned by Haven and British Holidays : Littlesea, Seaview and Weymouth Bay. In 2019 there were 2,160 business units in the Weymouth and Portland area, employing 18,000 local residents. The largest sector was Wholesale, Retail and Repair at 17.66% of all local businesses. Construction and Accommodation and food services were
15096-570: The south Dorset coast from invasion in the 1530s: Sandsfoot Castle in Wyke Regis and Portland Castle in Castletown . Coastal erosion forced the abandonment of Sandsfoot as early as 1665 and parts have since fallen into the sea. In 1635, around 100 emigrants from the town crossed the Atlantic Ocean on board the ship Charity and settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts . More townspeople emigrated to
15232-421: The theatre and on 31 May 2013, it closed but following a formal tender process, the theatre was leased to a local businessman and reopened on 13 July 2013. Weymouth Pavilion is now operated by Weymouth Pavilion CIC as a not-for-profit organisation. The town has both a general and a specialist museum. Weymouth Museum , located in the older part of the town, is situated in a former brewery. The Victorian building
15368-446: The third largest in the United Kingdom. Fishing and cargo trading employ fewer people in the area since their peak in earlier centuries, the commercial fishing fleet has been reduced to 32 vessels but, together with the charter boats, was still worth £4 million per annum in 2018. Local boats offer fishing and diving trips, pleasure cruises along the Jurassic Coast, and thrill-rides to the Isle of Portland. The main shopping centre in
15504-540: The tides of the area, producing a double low tide in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour. The maximum tidal range is small, at around 2 m (7 ft). There are two lakes in the borough, both designated Nature Reserves by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)– Radipole Lake in the town centre, and Lodmoor between the town centre and Preston. Radipole Lake, the largest nature reserve, and mouth of
15640-470: 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 by Eugenius Birch was completed in 1880. 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. The arrival of the railways in 1870 precipitated
15776-578: The town centre . The only injuries sustained were minor ones but over £1 million in damage was caused. From 2000 to 2001 the Tesco bomb campaign hit the town with a plot to extort money from Supermarket giant Tesco . 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 by Dorset Police , ranging from small letter bombs, to pipe bombs and parcel bombs. The culprit
15912-530: The town centre spawned theatres, cafés, two art deco cinemas, and more hotels. Bournemouth Corporation Tramways was established in 1902, becoming the town's first public transport system. In 1908, a deadly tram crash in the town gardens killed 7 people. Other new buildings constructed included the war memorial in 1921 and the Bournemouth Pavilion , the town's concert hall and grand theatre, finished in 1925. The Bournemouth Blitz saw heavy damage to
16048-515: The town during the Second World War despite initially escaping heavy bombing. A raid by German fighter 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 airmen billeted in the town may have been the reason for the attack. The seafront incurred damage when it was fortified against invasion . The cast iron lampposts and benches along
16184-404: The town, include Radipole Park and Greenhill gardens. Weymouth's Sea Life centre , a zoo and adventure park on the outskirts of the town, has over 1,000 examples of aquatic and semi-aquatic life, including sharks, turtles, otters, frogs and penguins. The centre takes part in an extensive breeding programme and also helps protect marine environments across the world through its partnership with
16320-447: The vote, while the latter was also gained for Labour by Jessica Toale with 36.4%. However, the seats had previously both been considered Conservative safe seats. In 2022, both of the towns Conservative MPs , Conor Burns and Tobias Ellwood had the whip withdrawn forcing them to sit as Independents . Bournemouth is about 94 miles (151 km) southwest of London. The town borders the neighbouring towns of Poole and Christchurch to
16456-476: The war was a difficult time for Weymouth which, in common with other seaside resorts, was not seen as a priority for government investment. In 1960, Southampton stopped services to the Channel Islands , leaving Weymouth as the UK's major link with the islands. A linkspan constructed in 1972 and the introduction of a passenger service to Cherbourg in 1974 helped to further revive the town's fortunes. During
16592-503: The war. In September 1942 the first full-scale testing of the bouncing bomb was carried out west of the town, on the lagoon behind Chesil Bank . Tens of thousands of Allied troops departed Weymouth and Portland for D-Day , bound for Omaha in Normandy . By the time the conflict in Europe had ended, 517,816 troops and 144,903 vehicles had been through the ports. The immediate aftermath of
16728-473: The war; the existing army camps and mild climate made it an ideal location. Most of the soldiers were repatriated in 1919; some stayed and married local women. Weymouth's military importance made it a target for German bombing during World War II. The air raids destroyed 1,200 civilian dwellings and killed 76 civilians, and the High Street was so badly damaged that much of it had to be demolished after
16864-547: The west and east respectively. Poole Bay lies to the south. The River Stour forms a natural boundary to the north and east, terminating at Christchurch Harbour ; while the River Bourne rises in Poole and flows through the middle of Bournemouth town centre, into the English Channel. The towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch form the South East Dorset conurbation with a combined population of over 400,000. Bournemouth
17000-752: The year 2009 which showed that the Bournemouth and Poole area enjoyed the strongest annualised growth in the South-West region. In 2009 the South West Regional Accounts showed that the Financial Services sector in Bournemouth was worth £1,031.8 million in Gross Value Added . Important employers in this sector include JPMorgan , Nationwide Building Society , and the Liverpool Victoria , Tata Consultancy Services (formerly Unisys), and RIAS insurance companies. The manufacturing sector
17136-590: The year are above England's average, and Weymouth is in American Horticultural Society (AHS) Heat zone 1 . Mean sea surface temperatures range from 7.0 °C (44.6 °F) in February to 17.2 °C (63.0 °F) in August; the annual mean is 11.8 °C (53.2 °F). Days with snow lying are rare: on average zero to five days per year; Most winters have one day or less with snow lying. It may snow or sleet in winter, yet it rarely settles on
17272-415: The year in the borough, including firework festivals , dragon boat racing, beach volleyball, and motocross, and the annual carnival in mid-August. Weymouth is the only port in the world to have hosted the start of The Tall Ships' Races three times —in 1983, 1987 and 1994; the 1994 race attracting 300,000 spectators. The Pavilion Theatre was built in 1960 on a peninsula of reclaimed land between
17408-425: Was 53,416, making it the largest settlement in rural Dorset and third largest overall, after Bournemouth and Poole. A built-up area of 18.5 km (4,600 acres), gives the town a population density of 2,868 people per square kilometre, in 26,747 dwellings. The Office for National Statistics define a "Weymouth Built-up Area", which includes parts of the neighbouring parishes of Bincombe and Chickerell , having
17544-415: Was collected by a canon from Christchurch Priory and taken away as tithe . "La Bournemowthe", however, was purely a geographic reference to the uninhabited area around the mouth of the small river which, in turn, drained the heathland between the towns of Poole and Christchurch. The word bourne , meaning a small stream, is a derivative of burna , old English for a brook. From the latter half of
17680-528: Was extensively renovated in 2007–08. A second tribute to George III, completed two years earlier in 1808, is the mounted white horse at Osmington . Designed by local architect James Hamilton, and cut into the chalk hillside by soldiers under his direction, the figure measures 280 ft (85 m) long by 323 ft (98 m) high. During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars , Weymouth started to gain some military importance: in 1795,
17816-452: Was found to be Robert Edward Dyer, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The Waterfront complex , which was intended to hold an IMAX cinema, was constructed on the seafront in 1998. 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 the Isle of Purbeck . In 2005 it
17952-417: Was good for lung conditions, and in particular tuberculosis , prompted Tregonwell and Tapps to plant hundreds of pine 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. The town would ultimately grow up around the scattered pines and tree-lined walk to
18088-519: Was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1890. In 1900 it was elevated to the status of a county borough , making it independent from Hampshire County Council , whilst remaining part of the geographical county of Hampshire. The borough boundaries were enlarged on several occasions, notably in 1901 when it absorbed Pokesdown , Southbourne and Winton , and in 1931 when it absorbed Holdenhurst and Kinson (the latter being transferred from Dorset to Hampshire on its absorption into Bournemouth). In 1921
18224-466: Was retaken. Around 250 people were killed in the local Crabchurch Conspiracy when sympathetic residents let Royalist soldiers into the town in February 1645. It was recaptured later that month and remained in Parliamentarian hands for the remainder of the war, despite enduring a protracted siege. The resort is among the first modern tourist destinations, after one of King George III 's brothers,
18360-650: Was voted the most hated building in England in a 10,000-person poll conducted by the Channel 4 programme Demolition , and was pulled down in spring 2013. The site is now used as an outdoor event arena. The council has recently completed a larger redevelopment of the site and adjoining council land. In 2010, Bournemouth celebrated its bicentenary. In 2012 Bournemouth was unsuccessful in its bid for city status , losing out to Chelmsford , Essex in competition with 26 other towns to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II 's Diamond Jubilee . Bournemouth sought city status once again for
18496-514: Was −10.4 °C (13.3 °F) in December 2010. The February and winter month record high was broken in 2019, with a temperature of 17.8 °C (64.0 °F). Bournemouth lies at the centre of a green belt region that extends into the wider surrounding counties. It is in place to reduce urban sprawl , prevent the towns in the South East Dorset conurbation from further convergence, protect
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