Article by , Guest Author
On September 2nd 1973, J.R.R Tolkien passed away. At 81, it was an end to a legendary life, and it ended right here in Bournemouth.
As a Bournemouth resident myself, I often find it astounding to learn the historical relevance of my home, and to walk the town now, knowing it was the haunt of someone as notable as Tolkien is no small honour.
A visionary author
J.R.R Tolkien is a name unknown to very few. The visionary author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, his reputation as one of fantasy’s greatest authors is well earned. But for a figure so large, Tolkien’s connections to Bournemouth were quaint and personal.
Tolkien’s eventual demise in Bournemouth is preceded by a lifetime of attachments to the town. Bournemouth was a frequent holiday destination for Tolkien and his wife Edith, with many summers spent in the care of East Cliff’s Hotel Miramar, offering the family a stunning view of the ocean.
A welcome escape
Bournemouth also served an additional role for Tolkien; a welcome escape from his growing fame that brought him constant attention in Oxford. Relaxing by the sea, Tolkien could go unbothered by the overwhelming presence of his growing fans requesting advice and book signings which would go on without end. One can imagine Tolkien looking out to the horizon beyond the sea from his spot at Hotel Miramar with a sense of peace, affected only by the ideas that a writer such as himself could conjure.
A safe retreat
As Edith grew ill, the desire for peace and quiet returned, and the pair settled in a quaint bungalow in Branksome Chine, where they lived until 1971 when Edith passed away. Even after Edith’s death, Tolkien continued to return to Bournemouth for his holidays. His attachment to the area is deeply connected to the attachment to his wife, who held a deep love for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth was Tolkien’s safe retreat for the rest of his life. It is bittersweet that Tolkien’s life ended in a place associated with affection and peace, the part of the country he retired to when the clamor of city life seemed too great.
An immortal legacy
Over 50 years since his death, Tolkien’s presence is still felt strongly in Bournemouth. ‘Not all those who wander are lost’ reads the public art installation at Beale Place, directly across from St Peters Church, which serves as the final resting place for another famous author, Mary Shelley. Placed as part of a revamp for Beale Place, the artwork is a silent dedication to the rich literary history of Bournemouth, available for all to see as they wander the town.
The Hotel Miramar has a blue plaque dedicated to the legendary author and offers unique insights into his life. Notably, a black and white photo of Tolkien lounging on a deck chair on the hotel terrace, looking out to sea. I cannot help but wonder what was on his mind, what ideas came to him while taking in Bournemouth’s views. We can never know for sure how much of Middle-Earth came to him during these peaceful times, but when I take in Bournemouth’s scenic beauty today, my own pen and paper in hand, I am met with the same sights favoured by one of England’s most revered authors.
You can learn more about J.R.R Tolkien and his connection to Bournemouth on our Writer’s Trail. Make a stop at East Cliff and the Hotel Miramar and explore the engaging writing prompts as you take in the incredible views.