History of Talbot & Branksome Woods

In 1800 Bournemouth did not exist and the area was a remote and barren heathland, used only by smugglers and revenue troops. The heath was known as Wallis Down in the north and Little Down in the south and east, and was part of the great heath which extended as far as Dorchester.To the east was Christchurch, to the west was Poole, and to the north east was the river Stour. Called the Liberty of West Stour (later, the Liberty of Westover), much of it was common land used by the inhabitants for livestock and by the poor for wood and turves. The part of the Liberty, which we know as The Woods, was in the chapelry of Holdenhurst. At the time this was part of the County of Southampton.

However in 1801, this all changed as Parliament passed the first general Inlcosure Act, and this provided general provisions for inclusion in private bills for the enclosure of common land. The following year, taking advantage of the new law, The Christchurch Inclosure Act of 1802 gained Royal Assent and gave permission to enclose the Liberty of West Stour, and to divide it up as plots of land for development. The plots being given to a range of individuals in return for the loss of their common rights.

The Christchurch Inclosure Act of 1802.

The pine trees which give the area part of its name and still dominate the area come from a period after 1810 when Sir George Tapps planted pines trees across a swathe of the heathland around Bournemouth. This planting, initially with Scots pine and then the more drought resistant Maritime pines, helped give the town a reputation as a health resort. However it may have been that others were also involved in the planting of pines as in the 19th century large parts of Talbot Woods were called Malmesbury Plantation, after the Earl of Malmesbury who was awarded part of the Liberty under the Inclosure Act.

The name of Bournemouth had been around for centuries, denoting the mouth of the Bourne Stream. However in 1936, the name was used for a new marine village laid out around the mouth of the stream by Sir George Gervis (the son of Sir G Tapps).The growing reputation as health resort, together with the coming of the railway, started the development of Bournemouth and drove its need for hotels and large villas to accomodate the influx of wealthy Victorians.With Bournemouth established as a health resort and a place for the wealthy of London to stay, the next step in its development was the creation of large estates. The key estates relating to the history of The Woods are the Branksome Estate and the Talbot Woods Estate.

The Branksome Estate (not completed yet)

The Talbot Woods Estate (not completed yet)

During the second half of the 19th century, The Woods was a largely undeveloped wooded area north and west of the town centre. The area covered part of the Talbot Woods Estate, part of the Branksome Estate and Poor's Common. The only part of the area which was starting to be developed was along the Bourne Stream, on both sides of Branksome Wood Road. However in 1883, Poor's Common was donated by Sir George Meyrick (successor to Sir George Tapps) to the town in order that it may be used as a park. Poor's Common was converted into Meyrick Park and opened as a park and a golf links in 1894.

Meyrick Park

From the last decade of the 19th century through to the 2nd world war, there was a period of development. Development of Bournemouth as a town and resort, and development of residential areas for its new residents. Part of the development of Bournemouth was the growth in the area it governed; initially only part of the Branksome Estate was in Bournemouth ( everywhere within a one mile radius of the pier), the rest of the Branksome Estate did not become part of Bournemouth until 1884, and Talbot Woods had to wait until 1901 when Winton joined Bournemouth.

The development of the residential areas is detailed in the area of the website 'House Building'. Access to it can be achieved using the tab at the top of the page. What is clear is that the area we know today was influenced by a number of key individuals, such as the Talbot sisters, the Earls of Leven & Melville, George Durrant and others.

The Key Influencers (not completed yet)

Overall Timeline (not completed yet)

The research into the history of the area is ongoing with a number of sources of information still to be examined and many new sources still to be found.

References:

Young, D.S., 1970. The Story of Bournemouth. London:S.R.Publishers Limited

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