The Square, Bournemouth
{{Short description|Public square}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox street
| name = The Square, Bournemouth
| native_name =
| image = Bournemouth, The Square - geograph.org.uk - 509151.jpg
| caption = The Square, Bournemouth
| former_names =
| postal_code = BH2 6EG
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| location = Bournemouth
| client =
| owner = Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
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| coordinates = {{coord|50.72032|N|1.87981|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=it}}
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The Square is a public square in Bournemouth Town Centre that marks the centre of Bournemouth, England. The Square separates the Central Gardens from the Lower Gardens.
History
File:Bournemouth, The Square.jpg tram no 47 in The Square ca. 1910]]
In the 18th century Decoy Pond House stood at the point where a plank was used to cross the Bourne Steam on the track from Poole to Christchurch. The River Bourne still flows under the Square.
In 1848 composer Hubert Parry was born next door to The Square and is marked with a blue plaque.
In 1925, a tram shelter was built at the center of the Square, with a clock on the top, which was given by Captain HB Norton, a magistrate and former Councillor.
File:Leaning tower of Bournemouth - geograph.org.uk - 480648.jpg
The Square later became a large roundabout, with the clock being relocated into a clock tower at the roundabout's centre. By this time the clock tower had become known as the "Leaning Tower of Bournemouth".
The roundabout was removed in October 1992, and since 2000 the square has been almost totally pedestrianised. The old clocktower is now the site of the Obscura Café, so called because it once incorporated a functioning camera obscura, and the clock was installed at the top of the cafe.{{cite web|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/snapshotsofthepast/11196039.GALLERY__How_Bournemouth_Square_has_changed_over_the_years/ |title=
GALLERY: How Bournemouth Square has changed over the years |publisher=Bournemouth Echo |date=2016-05-12 |accessdate=2016-05-12}}
Stores
- Debenhams - Formerly Bobby & Co.
- Sports Direct-(Formerly JJB Sports)
- M&S
- Primark-(Formerly BHS)
- Beales
- House of Fraser-(Formerly Dingles)
- WHSmith
- Waterstones
- TK Maxx
- Wilko
- River Island
- H&M
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Bournemouth}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Square, Bournemouth}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Bournemouth