From its earliest fishing villages to the growth of seaside resorts and coastal spas, attracting visitors from the surrounding counties, this history offers a wonderful insight into the development of the town. Bournemouth has always been blessed with sandy beaches and a warm climate, but it was slow to develop as a populated area. In 1851 the census recorded 695 people in the Bournemouth district and within 10 years this leaped to 6,000 and a further 10 years later to 17,000. Bournemouth now has a population of 163,444. This rise in the number of people living in the town brought with it many changes and new amenities. Alison Crawford explores these changes through her detailed captions and fascinating photographs. This book will charm anyone who knows the area well and those who are visiting for the first time.