Bournemouth Winter Gardens facts for kids
The Bournemouth Winter Gardens was a famous building in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. It started as a place for exhibitions in 1875. Later, in 1893, it became a very popular spot for classical music concerts. Before World War II, the original building was taken down and a new one was built. This new building became a big hit for rock music in the 1960s. The Winter Gardens closed its doors in 2002 and was taken down in 2006. The area where it once stood is now being planned for new buildings.
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The Story of Bournemouth Winter Gardens
From Crystal Palace to Concert Hall
The first Winter Gardens building was made mostly of glass. It was built in 1875 and looked a bit like the famous Crystal Palace in London. People called it the "Crystal Palace of the Summer and Winter Gardens." It was huge, able to hold up to 4,000 people! In 1891, a description said these lovely grounds were "in the very bull’s eye of alluring Bournemouth."
At first, the exhibitions held there didn't attract enough visitors. So, after closing and reopening a few times, it was decided to turn it into a music venue. In 1893, it officially became a concert hall. This was a big deal because it made Bournemouth the first town run by the local council to regularly offer music concerts.
Many famous conductors visited, including Edward Elgar, Hubert Parry, Jean Sibelius, and Gustav Holst. The Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra called the Winter Gardens home from 1895 to 1929. After that, their concerts moved to the Pavilion Theatre (Bournemouth).
A New Building and New Music
The original glass building was taken down in 1935. A new brick building replaced it two years later, in 1937. It was first planned to be a bowling center. After World War II, the building was changed to be a concert hall again. It was known for having great sound quality.
The Municipal Orchestra, later renamed the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, performed there until 1979. Then, they moved their concerts to The Lighthouse in Poole.
Rock and Pop Stars Visit
From the 1960s onwards, the Winter Gardens became a popular place for pop and rock bands. Many legendary groups played there:
- The Beatles performed on November 16, 1963. Their show was even filmed by CBS for TV!
- The Rolling Stones played on August 23, 1964.
- Jimi Hendrix rocked the stage in 1967.
- T. Rex and King Crimson visited in 1971.
- Pink Floyd performed in 1972.
- Elton John played there in both 1972 and 1973.
- David Bowie and Wings (Paul McCartney's band) were there in 1973.
- Queen performed in 1974.
Besides music, the Winter Gardens also hosted famous entertainers like Rolf Harris, Morecambe and Wise, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny. Sometimes, it even showed films or held wrestling matches.
By the late 1990s, the theatre started to decline. Music groups preferred larger venues, and Bournemouth had many other theatres.
What Happened Next
The Bournemouth Winter Gardens closed its doors for good in 2002. The building was taken down in 2006. For a while, the site was used as a car park. In 2014, the local council announced plans to build a new entertainment center and restaurants there. In December 2021, the last remaining buildings on the site were demolished. The area is still waiting for new construction to begin.
