Westbourne
Westbourne is by far one of the most stylish areas of fashionable Bournemouth.
Despite the disappearance of many fine Victorian villas, there is still an atmosphere of affable living. In the 19th century, Westbourne consisted of wild heath land with pine-wooded chines and was used regularly by smugglers, and used for hiding contraband.
Westbourne offers a broad range of appealing attributes, including a range of shops and restaurants catering for a range of British, Continental and Oriental cuisines. O, and not to mention its 7 mile sweep of Blue Flag sandy beach!
Things to do
Westbourne has a large and varied choice of things to do for do for the visitor / holidaymaker; below are just a few of the many places to visit.
Robert Louis Stevenson, author of such classics as, "A Child's Garden of Verse", and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", once owned a house on Alum Chine Road, (Skerryvore), from 1895 to 1897, named after the Scottish lighthouse built by his father. The site is now commemorated by an inscribed stone. A nearby road is named after this famed author.
The Beach!
It’s official; Bournemouth and Poole Beaches are still among the best in the world. Eight beaches along Bournemouth and Poole’s twelve-mile coast have again been bestowed the prestigious Blue Flag beach awards for having litter-free sands and clean swimming waters, including Westbourne’s stunning Alum Chine, which boasts soft, golden sand. The safe waters make this an ideal beach to visit with or without children.
…You can chill out in the fabulous beachside restaurants and cafes with stunning views. The perfect place to sit back and watch the world go by. Also, perfect for long strolls in the winter…
In peak season it is ensured that sands are sifted, cleaned and raked on a regular basis, in addition litter is cleared throughout the day. Specific dog-free zones and activity areas for boarders and swimmers are part of our commitment to you, to provide a relaxing, fun and safe time for all ages.
The Chine
The chine is a steep dry river valley and Alum Chine is the largest of four Chines within Bournemouth. It offers shaded paths; the popular Treasure Island themed children's play area (author Robert Louis Stephenson lived close by) a paddling pool, tropical garden on the cliff face and bowls, catering and toilet facilities within the nearby clifftop Argyll Gardens.
Enjoy the chilled atmosphere of the wooded chine and breathtaking sea views. If you prefer a quiet moment, the tropical gardens, which have their origins in the 1920's, provide a perfect zone for contemplation.
With the Blue Flag award winning beach down below, the gardens have become renowned for their award-winning facilities, striking landscape design and stunning views.
Club Bingo
Club Grand Bingo situated in Westbourne is Dorset’s only independent bingo club established in 1978. They pride themselves in being Bournemouth’s friendliest Bingo Club, with sessions 6 afternoons (not Sunday) and every evening. They play Big Money Link Games including Linked Parti-Bingo with Palatial Leisure and The National Game every session. Their buffet and licensed bars serve hot and cold meals and a great variety of beers and spirits all at low club prices. You can play instantly with Free membership –Over 18’s only.
Eating Out
There’s an extremely wide range of restaurants in Westbourne which cater for a range of British, Continental and Oriental cuisines. Here’s a few of our top picks:
Chez Fred, Seamoor Road, were crowned as ‘Best Fish and Chip Shop in Great Britain’ in 1991, so is most certainly worth a visit!
Or perhaps you fancy something less, um,.. ‘British’? Well, op down to Inidis, since opening in September 2002 Indis has built an outstanding reputation for fine dining and exemplary service. Owner Aktar and his team will go out of their way to ensure your meal at Indis is a wonderful experience, while the team of highly experienced chefs, using only the freshest ingredients will certainly leave you wanting more.
French Café Rouge is another top choice. With a cosy, warm and buzzing atmosphere, it attracts a mix of locals, students, and visitors from out of town. The sumptuous selection of coffees and croissants and the friendly atmosphere make Café Rouge the perfect spot for catching up with the papers or sneaking a chocolat-chaud.. Mouth-watering savoury food, such as the garlic and thyme infused half roast chicken served with French fries and beurre maison, can also be indulged into.
Events
The Westbourne Christmas Fayre is on Sunday 6th December 2009.
After such success of last years' Christmas Fayre, the Westbourne Arcade will be hosting fantastic seasonal festivities again this year. The event this year ywill be supported d by the Westbourne Rotary and Sunrise who have even persuaded Father Christmas to spend that day in Westbourne! This is certainly something special for the kids.
The Rotary will be gift wrapping parcels and giving donations to charity.
Words by Lucinda Okane