Bournemouth

A fully illustrated, evocative look back in time at the town and seaside resort of Bournemouth, its people and their way of life over the last century.

Founded in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell, Bournemouth was originally a deserted heathland, home to fishermen and smugglers. Initially marketed as a health resort, Bournemouth's growth really accelerated with the arrival of the railway and it became a town in 1870. The arrival of the railways precipitated 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. Today, Bournemouth has a population of almost 190,000 people, and is a tourist centre of leisure, entertainment, culture and recreation. It has come a long way from its roots in the nineteenth century. Those roots, the formative years of the town, are the focus of Bournemouth: The Biography, which charts the evolution of Bournemouth from a smuggler s haven to the coastal resort we know today.

Discover the architectural treasures and history of this favourite Dorset seaside resort of Bournemouth in a fascinating tour of 50 of its ancient and modern buildings and landmarks.

Explore this fascinating pictorial history of Bournemouth through the sixties, seventies and eighties.