Seamoor Road – South Side
Westbourne’s Seamoor Road (South Side).
Having looked at the Arcade, our next journey is around Seamoor Road. Approaching from the Bournemouth Town Centre direction, we reach a junction where, to continue towards Poole, we have to bear left. The road is lined with shops on both sides. On today’s blog, we are looking at the south side. Tomorrow, we shall look at the north.
View east along Seamoor Road © expat
Again, we see an eclectic mix in the shopping experience. There are several eating establishments covering a wide variety of tastes. Hairdressers (of course), Estate Agents, fashion and clothing – and even a Post Office. Unusually, the Post Office is still located in its original building. Today, I shall simply list the businesses but, in the coming weeks, I hope to be able to meet some of the people involved, and tell their stories. (more…)
Westbourne Arcade
Westbourne Arcade – a Covered Shopping Treasure in Westbourne
Westbourne Arcade is a Grade II Listed structure. It runs between Poole Road and Seamoor Road, and sports symmetrical façades of red brick with stone dressings at either end. Gothic style windows enhance the cathedral-like appearance. Amongst the features are gargoyles at the head of each drain pipe, said to be based on ancient Water Gods. A glazed roof offers protection from the elements, keeping the interior bright and airy by day. Built 1884-5 by Henry Joy, this is a “well-preserved polychrome Gothic shopping arcade”.
Even at night when deserted, there is an inviting atmosphere in Westbourne Arcade. © Expat
Today, it is host to an eclectic mix of shops, cafés and even a small, 19 seat cinema! There is an old-fashioned hardware store and florist, as well as shops to browse for the more unusual gifts and artefacts. A recent application to turn a former furniture shop into a Mediterranean-style restaurant caused some controversy when the plans were passed in July 2015. (more…)
Frizzell Insurance
Frizzell Insurance and Frizzell House, County Gates
Although just outside of Westbourne, and in Poole rather than Bournemouth, Frizzell House is a landmark building in the area. Its unusual design is striking, as can been seen from the photos below. The building is in the centre of a Gyratory System, or large roundabout. It is arguably big enough to be a one-way system in its own right! Although the official title of the road is County Gates Gyratory, many knew and still know it after the former insurance company.
Frizzell House in the County Gates Gyratory © Expat
With both Bournemouth and Poole now in Dorset, the name “County Gates” seems a bit of a misnomer. However, until the 1974 Local Government Reorganisation, Bournemouth was in Hampshire and neighbouring Poole in Dorset. Westbourne, on the western edge of Bournemouth was on the County boundary, hence the name. (more…)
Welcome to Westbourne, Dorset!
Welcome to Westbourne, Dorset, in the Borough of Bournemouth!
Welcome to Westbourne Sign. © expat
Start date 25 May 2016.
This blog is intended to be a voyage of discovery of all things related to Westbourne, Dorset. I will post daily, generally towards the end of the evening. There will be factual items, fun items, interviews and more. See anything wrong? Please let me know! Want to contribute something yourself? Please let me know! If you know of something in Westbourne that you might like me to investigate, then again – please let me know! I can’t promise anything, but I will be happy to take a look.
Please bookmark this blog, and come along and enjoy the ride. I am no expert – I am learning as I go.
Your humble scribe
The “expat”