The Square, Bournemouth facts for kids
The Square, Bournemouth
|
|
| Owner | Bournemouth Borough Council |
|---|---|
| Location | Bournemouth |
| Postal code | BH2 6EG |
| Coordinates | 50°43′13″N 1°52′47″W / 50.72032°N 1.87981°W |
The Square is a popular public space right in the middle of Bournemouth, England. It's like the heart of the town! This busy area separates the beautiful Central Gardens from the Lower Gardens, making it a key spot for locals and visitors.
The Square: A Look Back in Time
Long ago, in the 1700s, there was a house called Decoy Pond House here. People used a simple wooden plank to cross the Bourne Stream, which is a small river. This was part of a path connecting the towns of Poole and Christchurch. Guess what? The River Bourne still flows hidden beneath The Square today!
A famous composer named Hubert Parry was born right next to The Square in 1848. You can see a special blue plaque there to remember him.
In 1925, a shelter for trams (like old-fashioned buses on tracks) was built in the middle of The Square. It had a clock on top, which was a gift from Captain HB Norton. He was an important local leader.
The "Leaning Tower" of Bournemouth
Later, The Square became a big roundabout for cars. The clock from the tram shelter was moved to a new clock tower in the middle of this roundabout. Over time, this clock tower started to lean a bit, earning it the funny nickname "The Leaning Tower of Bournemouth"!
In October 1992, the roundabout was removed. Since the year 2000, The Square has been mostly for people walking, not cars. The old clock tower is now home to the Obscura Café. It's called that because it used to have a working camera obscura inside, which is a special device that projects images. The clock is now at the very top of the café building.
Shops at The Square
The Square is a great place for shopping! You'll find many well-known stores here, perfect for finding almost anything you need.
