Boscombe, situated between the somewhat older village of Pokesdown and the rapidly growing town of Bournemouth, did not really commence to develop until 1865; from thence forward to the end of the 19th century, and beyond, its growth was very rapid. Although it was fully incorporated into Bournemouth by 1884, it established itself with its own character and maintained its own identity. In his book "Dorset Place Names", A.D.Mills says there was reference as early as 1273 to "Boscumbe", and suggests that the name may well have derived from the Old English words meaning a 'valley overgrown with spiky plants' - if so , perhaps a reference to gorse. However that may be, reference to Boscombe is included in the survey made in 1574 of possible enemy landing places on the coast of Hampshire; this mentions... "Bournemouth within the west baye at Christchurch...We finde more a place called Bastowe within the said Baye". Saxton's map of 1575 shows a Copperas House at Bascomb, referring to the manufacture of copperas or ferrous sulphate which took place in the district, particularly in the last quarter of the 16th century.

 

The area upon which Boscombe is situated was part of the great heathland which covered much of western Hampshire, and extended well into eastern Dorset, intersected by several river valleys. At the beginning of the 19th century Boscombe was described as an extensive common covered with furze and heath, more the haunt of smugglers than anyone else.