Meyrick Park () is a suburb and area of

Bournemouth Bournemouth ( ) is a coastal resort town in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole unitary authority area, in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. At the 2021 census, the built-up area had a population of 196,455, making it the largest ...

, Dorset. The park itself features a main field with rugby pitches, surrounded by elevated woodland on both sides and a golf course around the western side. Dog-walking is permitted on both, and the paved path along the main field is often used to get to the town centre.

History

Meyrick Park was opened in 1894 on previous

common land Common land is collective land (sometimes only open to those whose nation governs the land) in which all persons have certain common rights, such as to allow their livestock to graze upon it, to collect wood, or to cut turf for fuel. A person ...

. In the early 20th century the area was served by Meyrick Park Halt railway station. Cars used to be allowed access along the path by the main field, but this is now restricted. In 2014, decomposed partial human remains were found in the golf course by a dog who dragged them out the bushes. Police cordoned off the area and discovered a body 40ft up a tree, later revealed to be a man who went missing three years earlier.

Amenities

Meyrick Park has two rugby pitches and a clubhouse overlooking them used by Oakmeadians R.F.C. At the end of the main field there is a bowling green and cafe, and the golf course is served by a

country club A country club is a privately-owned Club (organization), club, often with a membership quota and admittance by invitation or sponsorship, that generally offers both a variety of recreational sports and facilities for dining and entertaining. Ty ...

. The area is just north of St Stephen's Church.

Politics

Meyrick Park is part of the Talbot and Branksome Woods ward for elections to

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, which styles itself BCP Council, is the Local government in England, local authority for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, a local government district in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. Th ...

which elects two councillors. Meyrick Park is part of the

Bournemouth East Bournemouth East is a parliamentary constituency in Dorset represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Tom Hayes, of the Labour Party. Constituency profile The seat covers the eastern suburbs of Bournemouth includin ...

parliamentary constituency An electoral (congressional, legislative, etc.) district, sometimes called a constituency, riding, or ward, is a geographical portion of a political unit, such as a country, state or province, city, or administrative region, created to provi ...

Notable people

Richard Palmer-James Richard William Palmer-James (born 11 June 1947) is an English guitarist, songwriter and lyricist. He may be best known as one of the founding members of Supertramp (playing guitar and songwriter); writing lyrics for several songs by the pro ...

, musician born in Meyrick Park

References

{{Bournemouth 1894 establishments in England Areas of Bournemouth Conservation areas in Dorset