Bournemouth Square is actually round and was, for many years, a busy road junction with a large roundabout.

The Square

The name "The Square" goes back to before 1870 where it appears on maps of that era, and some claim that it was used even earlier than this. In 1902, Bournemouth Corporation constructed a tramway through the town and, later in 1924, a ticket office and passenger shelter in the Square. This was demolished in 1947. The trams would have 'The Square' displayed as their destination. The name has stuck for over a century!

In 1992 the roundabout was removed and alterations began until it was pedestrianised. Work to  fully pedestrianise The Square was completed for the Millennium and The Obscura Café opened.

The cafe promised "something special", with a camera obscura on its first floor described by the Town Centre Manager at the time as "a feather in Bournemouth's cap".

Look down to see the pebble pavement mosaic, designed by artist Maggy Howarth, that was also unveiled. Also find the Illuminated globe that was originally lit with a gas flame.

Bobby's

Bobby & Co opened in 1915 as a prestigious department store. Facilities there included an elegant restaurant, a ladies powder room and clothing departments for the whole family as well as drapery and fancy goods.

Look up and you can see the wrought iron B’s on the balconies that were part of the original building.

The store was beautifully decorated to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. In 1972 Debenhams took over the running of the store.

In May 2021, following the Covid pandemic and with the rise of online shopping Debenhams closed, but reopened using its original name “Bobby’s”.

How to get here

The postcode of this site is: BH2 6EG

Or you can use What3Words: ///bricks.loads.swept