Walk: Exploring the Bourne Stream

Description
The Bourne Stream is the reason Bournemouth exists at all. Before the Victorian development of the town, the valley around the stream was one of the few places with reliable fresh water flowing down through the heathland to the sea. Early visitors were drawn to this wooded ravine and its stream, which later became the Lower and Central Gardens.
This walk, mostly along footpaths and woodland trails, follows the Bourne Stream for almost its entire length until it disappears into a culvert. We begin near the Pavilion and stroll through the full length of Bournemouth Gardens, a surprisingly rich Victorian botanical landscape with trees from around the world planted alongside native species. As we walk you may notice plane, cedar and monkey puzzle, along with more unusual specimens such as Persian ironwood, giving the gardens the feel of a small arboretum at the heart of the town. Eventually we leave the formal gardens behind and cross into Talbot Heath and Alder Hills. Here we lose the Bourne Stream but briefly pick up Kinson Brook before reaching our destination, where you can catch the 16 bus route or the M1/M2 from Ashley Road — after discovering a surprising green corridor running through the heart of Bournemouth.

Details
Assemble at 10:15am on the first bridge over the Bourne Stream outside the Pavilion (see main image above).
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Setting off at 10:30am
WhatsApp David on 07910 886629

• This walk is around 5.5 or 6.5 miles
• Some paths may be a bit soggy and require sturdy footwear
• Toilets on the early stretch and at Sainsbury's Alder Hills
• Dog friendly trail
• Break/early lunch potential at Alder Hills nature reserve (bring something to eat, drink, and sit on)
• Mostly a green walk with an interesting variety of trees but with an urban stretch at the end if extended.
• Undulating with a few steps and some slopes.
• Bus return.

Our experienced walk leader is Aaron.

Our walks are free of charge for members and non-members of Dorset Humanists. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Participants are expected to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and safety and walks are undertaken at your own risk. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring a bottle of water and sunscreen/hat in sunny weather. Dorset Humanists cannot accept any liability for accident or injury incurred on public footways and byways.