Bournemouth Winter Gardens facts for kids
The Bournemouth Winter Gardens was a famous building in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. It started as an exhibition center in 1875. Later, in 1893, it became a very popular place for classical music concerts. Before World War II, the old building was taken down and a new one was built. In the 1960s, it became a popular spot for rock music concerts. The building closed in 2002 and was taken down in 2006. The land is now empty, waiting for new buildings.
A Look Back: Its History
The first Winter Gardens building was made mostly of glass in 1875. It looked a bit like the Crystal Palace in London. It was called the Crystal Palace of the Summer and Winter Gardens. About 4,000 people could fit inside. In 1893, the town council took over the building. Around this time, Dan Godfrey started a new band called the Bournemouth Band.
At first, the exhibitions were not very popular. So, the owners decided to turn it into a music hall. It became a concert hall in 1893. This meant Bournemouth was one of the first towns to regularly offer music concerts. Famous conductors like Edward Elgar and Jean Sibelius visited. The Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra played there from 1895 to 1929. After that, their concerts moved to the Pavilion Theatre (Bournemouth).
The original glass building was taken down in 1935. A new brick building was built in its place in 1937. This new building was first planned as a bowling center. After World War II, it was changed into a concert hall. It was known for having great sound. The Municipal Orchestra, later called the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, played there until 1979. Then, they moved their concerts to The Lighthouse.
Famous Performers
The Winter Gardens became a favorite place for pop and rock bands from the 1960s. Many legendary groups played there:
- The Beatles performed on November 16, 1963. Their show was even filmed for TV!
- The Rolling Stones played on August 23, 1964.
- Jimi Hendrix performed in 1967.
- T. Rex and King Crimson played in 1971.
- Pink Floyd performed in 1972.
- Elton John played in 1972 and 1973.
- David Bowie and Wings (Paul McCartney's band) played in 1973.
- Queen performed in 1974.
Many other famous entertainers also spent time there. These included Rolf Harris, Morecambe and Wise, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny. The venue also sometimes showed movies and hosted wrestling matches. By the late 1990s, the theatre was not as popular. Music groups preferred bigger venues, and Bournemouth had many other theatres.
What Happened Next?
The Winter Gardens closed its doors in 2002. The building was taken down in 2006. For a while, the land 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 small buildings on the site were also taken down. The land is still waiting for new construction.
