| Boscombe | |
|---|---|
 Boscombe High Street | |
  Boscombe Location within Dorset | |
| Population | 20,719 (2 wards, 2011)[1][2] |
| OS grid reference | SZ115920 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOURNEMOUTH |
| Postcode district | BH1, BH5 |
| Dialling code | 01202 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
Boscombe (/ˈbɒskəm/) is a suburb of Bournemouth, England. Historically in Hampshire, but today in Dorset, it is located to the east of Bournemouth town centre and west of Southbourne.
Originally a sparsely inhabited area of heathland, from around 1865 Boscombe developed rapidly from a small village into a seaside resort alongside Bournemouth. Its first pier opened in 1889.[3]
There are numerous architectural styles within the town, ranging from the elaborate Victorian style of the Royal Arcade and St Clement's Church, notable examples of Art Deco such as the former Gas & Water Company store at 709 Christchurch Road, and the modernist 1950s styles of the pier and Overstrand buildings. Alongside these are modern flats developments such as The Reef, The Point (sometimes called the Pointer by some residents) and Honeycombe Beach.
The nickname Bos Vegas[4] has gained popularity in recent years and occurs with slight spelling variation in the names of two Boscombe businesses.[5]
Boscombe is home to AFC Bournemouth, who play at Dean Court. Many fans still refer to AFC Bournemouth as Boscombe, a reference to the original names of Boscombe St John's and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic FC (the word Boscombe was dropped in 1972).
There is a thriving street market in the High Street on Thursdays and Saturdays as well as a vintage market on the first Saturday of every month.[6]
- ^ "Boscombe East ward 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ "Boscombe West ward 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ "Boscombe Pier". National Piers Society. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
- ^ "Boscombe, Location Information". Guide2 Bournemouth. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
Affectionately termed 'Bos Vegas',
- ^ "Viva Bosc Vegas". Geograph. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ "Boscombe Vintage Market - Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, VINTAGE, FASHION, TEXTILES, ART, ACCESSORIES, CRAFT, COLLECTABLES, FOOD, LIVE MUSIC!". Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.