Bournemouth History and Heritage

07/05/2026

Discover Bournemouth A to Z

May is Local and Community History Month. To celebrate, our team have set up an alphabetical treasure trail in the library, spotlighting aspects of Bournemouth's history - from Aviation to Zig-Zags!

Why not pop in and see if you can find them all, and discover some things you never knew about our local history?

20/04/2026

May Bank Holidays
All BCP Council libraries will be closed on Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May 2025.
Visit the Libraries web pages to use free online information resources, eBooks, eAudiobooks, newspapers & magazines, view the catalogue and renew books.

www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries

18/03/2026

All libraries in the BCP area will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Libraries are open as usual on Saturday 4 April.
You can access our online services at www.librarieswest.org.uk throughout the Easter weekend.

23/01/2026

Our colleagues at Springbourne Library are holding a local history talk tomorrow at 11am. Click below for further details ...

Join us for an enlightening local history talk "History in My Back Yard" from Elaine Findlay on Saturday 24th Jan 11am - 1pm. Discover the hidden stories and rich heritage of Springbourne that have shaped our community!

We'd love to welcome you for a cup of tea and some fascinating local history!

🏡📚

21/01/2026

Recovering by the Sea: The Indian Army in Bournemouth

Discover the remarkable and little-known story of the British Indian Army soldiers who came to Bournemouth during the First World War to recover from injuries sustained on the Western Front.

This exhibition kindly transferred to us from the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum will be viewable on floor 2 of the library from now until the end of February.

13/01/2026

The RNLI's Stories of Courage 1939-45 exhibition will be running at the Lighthouse in Poole from Thursday 15th January to Saturday 28th February, sharing how volunteer crews continued to save lives at sea in the extraordinary circumstances of the Second World War.

Click below for further details.

Don’t miss our RNLI Stories of Courage 1939-45 exhibition about the RNLI in the Second World War

08/12/2025

Library and/or local heritage enthusiasts may be interested to attend this talk at Pokesdown and Southbourne Library on Tuesday 6th January. Booking with Pokesdown & Southbourne library is essential.

Join us at Pokesdown & Southbourne Library for our 100th Birthday Party! 🥳
Tuesday 6th January, with talk by local historian extraordinaire Alex McKinstry 2:15 - 3pm and tea, coffee and chat afterwards.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL - contact us through Facebook messages, on 01202 127555 or at [email protected] so you don't miss out on this special event!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talk-alex-mckinstry-on-southbourne-librarys-100th-birthday-tickets-1977018214700?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/12/2025

The History of Christchurch Priory - in Full Colour!

In our first Aspects of History talk for 2026, join Peter Hellawell for a unique insight into the colourful history of the Priory, and into the role of stained-glass in churches, seen through the 49 roundels of Cloister Way.

Wednesday 7th January at 11am. Booking is essential for this free event.

To book:
📧 [email protected]
📞 01202 127000 and select option 3
🏛️ Or visit the second floor desk of Bournemouth Library

12/11/2025

The RNLI are collecting RNLI Stories of Courage from the second world war period. The stories will feature in an exhibition at The Lighthouse, Poole from Thursday 15 January 2026 - Saturday 28 February 2026. If someone you know has a story to share, click on the link below for further details.

During the Second World War, people showed remarkable courage. It wasn’t just those fighting. It was their families, civilians under attack and, as ever, RNLI lifeboat crews heading out to sea on missions to save every one. Eighty years later, these Stories of Courage still move us. They make us p...

05/11/2025

The current exhibition at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Artist as Witness: The Impact of War, features works from around the country. Why not take the opportunity to view these while they are available locally?