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Boscombe Spa

In Victorian times sea bathing became fashionable for its "health giving properties". Boscombe Spa as it was known was a Seawater Spa. Some Victorian folk were quite adventurous and bathed in the sea using Bathing Machines. Bathing Machines were covered areas on wheels were ladies could step out directly into the shallow sea without walking on the beach. Boscombe Spa had a network pipes to supply seawater to local guest houses. Some remnants of the system remain today in Sea Road such as manhole covers in the road marked "Seawater"

Landmarks

One of the few early landmarks was the 'Ragged Cat', a wayside inn dating back to 1850, later renamed to the 'Palmerston' and then 'Deacons'.

Boscombe centre contains some examples of art deco buildings, for example the building now inhabited by Motabitz.

Boscombe is also home to Shelley Manor located in a cliff top suburban area, just off the main shopping district, built in 1801 and once owned by the Shelley family - see Mary Shelley, the area is fairly desirable with many large and attractive houses. The Shelley family were largely responsible for the construction of Boscombe Pier.

Present day

Boscombe is not considered the most upmarket area in the Bournemouth area however the area has improved significantly over the past 5 years. Previously, the presence of drug dealers and high crime rates, along with mainly small and pokey houses have deemed most of the area as unsophisticated. However, with the regeneration plans and new housing developments these problems are diminishing at a considerable pace.

New development of the area around Boscombe was approved under the Boscombe Spa Development Plan in July, 2006. This project will turn the seafront into a spa village complete with an artificial reef that will create 4ft (1.2m) waves. Funding for the development has been made by the sale of the local seafront car park, to Barratt Homes for 169 seafront apartments, at Honeycombe Chine.

The area immediately around Boscombe Pier has seen much new development with a string of luxury flats and houses having being built over the past 5 years. It is possible to surf next to the historic pier, and in 2005 plans were announced to build an artificial surf reef close to the pier. On the 30th October 2005, the pier was closed as it was deemed unsafe. Demolition of the old pier commenced in April 2007 and the local council has promised to reopen a refurbished pier in October 2007.

Property prices in the area have increased and with the Boscombe Spa Development Plan going ahead this looks set to continue. There have been quite a few improvements to the area though especially by the coast, where architects have built ultra-modern houses and flats which are becoming popular around many parts of Bournemouth and especially Poole (mainly in the wealthier suburban areas).

In May 2007, for the first time, a property in Boscombe went for sale for £1million. The property was a flat with views of the coast, and was the main headline for the Bournemouth Daily Echo at the time.

Boscombe is also home to AFC Bournemouth who play at Dean Court. Many fans still refer to AFC Bournemouth as Boscombe, a reference to the days of Boscombe St John's. AFC Bournemouth became a more fashionable name during the 1970's but the purists still recognise the legitimate and rightful name as Boscombe St John's.