Westbourne, Dorset

infobox UK place

country = England
official_name= Westbourne
latitude= 50.7196

longitude= -1.8985
map_type=Dorset
population = 8,044cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2005 | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=546056&c=Westbourne&d=14&e=16&g=402823&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=75 | title = National Statistics | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = 2006-11-12]
unitary_england= Bournemouth
lieutenancy_england= Dorset
region= South West England

constituency_westminster= Bournemouth West
post_town= Bournemouth
postcode_district=BH4
postcode_area=BH
dial_code= 01202
os_grid_reference=SZ071911

Westbourne is a residential and shopping area of Bournemouth, Dorset. It is located in between Branksome, Poole and the centre of Bournemouth, just off the main A338. A high street, mainly full of specialised shops and small cafes, runs though the centre Westbourne. It is however mainly a residential zone.

Businesses and Buildings

The area has become a fashionable and popular part of Bournemouth with a unique mix of clothing shops, cafes, restaurants and many other independent businesses. Westbourne has a reputation for being the fashion district of Bournemouth, which is supported by the many boutiques and home interior shops located in the main shopping area. The main high street of Westbourne includes a Victorian covered shopping arcade. On March 13th 2007 a large M&S Simply Food replaced the Waitrose store which has recently moved to the Upper Parkstone area of Poole. There are several international language schools in Westbourne.

Until it was closed in 1965, Westbourne had a train station known as Bournemouth West Station Terminus. The station was often very busy during the summer seasons, as it was a main disembarkation point for holidaymakers to Poole and Bournemouth. Westbourne also had an ornate cinema called "The Grand", that is now a bingo hall.

Westbourne is also home to the head office of the Liverpool Victoria Group which has two buildings, Frizzell House in the centre and Victoria House on the edge of County Gates roundabout, a large local employer with around 1600 staff.

Notable Residents

The subarea known as Alum Chine provides a pathway to the beach, and is crossed by a pedestrian suspension bridge. Branksome Dene chine (a chine being the local name for a deep gorge caused by river erosion extending to the sea [http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/Visitors/Parks_Gardens_Countryside/parks_countryside_team/walks/chines_of_bournemouth_poole.asp] ) is nearby and it was on a bridge across this chine (now gone) from which Winston Churchill fell when he was a child, breaking both legs and damaging his kidneys. Robert Louis Stevenson was Westbourne's most famous resident, who lived at 'Skerryvore' on the West Cliff between 1885 and 1887. While at this rather ordinary house he wrote "Kidnapped" and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", as well as part of "Treasure Island" while he was recovering from an illness. It is here that John Singer Sergeant painted R.L.Stevenson pacing his drawing room with his wife sat by in 1885 and a novel of his life whilst residing in Westbourne (published in 1929 titled 'R.L.S and his Sine Qua Non') was written by Adelaide A. Boodle. There is small statue commemorating his work on the site of the house he lived in, which was destroyed in the Second World War.

Florence Nightingale had an interest in Westbourne when in 1867 she was a prime mover in the building of the Herbert Home Hospital.

Food and Drink

There are many places to eat and drink in Westbourne, ranging from brand establishments such as Cafe Rouge to pubs such as the Porterhouse pub, which is owned by the local Ringwood Brewery and is the official head quarters of the WFA (Westbourne Friends Association). Restaurant choices include the [http://www.tajmahalwestbourne.com/ Taj Mahal] (the "Taj"), Westbourne Tandoori, Enzo's Italian, Indies, Sundays (Chinese), and [http://www.chezfred.co.uk/ Chez Fred] (1991 winner, Seafish Industry Authority's "Best Fish and Chips Shop in Great Britain").

Transport

There are good bus links to both Bournemouth and Poole and the beach is a 15 minute walk away.

References