As you stroll along Westover Road, take a moment to look above street level. You’ll find original architectural details that hint at the rich history of this area. Westover Road remains a testament to Bournemouth’s vibrant history, making it a must-visit for tourists and local history enthusiasts alike.
The Bond Street of Bournemouth
In 1830 Westover Road was a residential road with a few large Victorian villas. Early in the twentieth century shops were built, one of the first being the men’s outfitters Robert Old which opened in 1909.
After the First World War there was a great deal of quality development and by the mid 1930s the Westover Road area had become the most fashionable part of town, dubbed ‘The Bond Street of Bournemouth’ with two theatres, high end fashion shops, an ice rink, the ice cream parlour Fortes and a fancy Art Deco hotel, the Palace Court, where sophisticated customers would enjoy lavish afternoon teas.
In 1949 the Regent became The Gaumont Theatre where, in 1963, the then new pop sensation the Beatles performed for a six night residency. Their screaming fans blocked the road.
Bournemouth Pavilion
The Bournemouth Pavilion was officially opened in 1929 by the Duke of Gloucester (King George V’s third son). It was a prestigious building for its time.
The main auditorium was a concert hall, adapted later as a 1500 seat theatre. There was also a ballroom, three restaurants and two reading rooms. It was an innovative building for its time with a heating system, fountain and a waterfall that used water pumped up from the sea.
The Pavilion hosted performances by the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra and later the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, attracting stars like Marlene Dietrich, Noel Coward, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie.
Go inside to find the marble floor patterned with sunbursts, Greek classical pillars and quirky details inspired by ancient Egypt. The theatre is still home to its original Compton Organ.
How to get here
The postcode of this site is: BH1 2BU
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