was 18 in 1892, breaking both legs and damaging his kidneys. Robert Louis Stevenson was Westbourne's most famous resident, who lived at 'Skerryvore' on the West Cliff between 1885 and 1887. While at this rather ordinary house he wrote Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as part of Treasure Island while he was recovering from an illness. It is here that John Singer Sergeant painted R.L. Stevenson pacing his drawing room with his wife sitting nearby in 1885 and a novel of his life while residing in Westbourne (published in 1929 titled 'R.L.S and his Sine Qua Non') was written by Adelaide A. Boodle. There is a small statue commemorating his work on the site of the house he lived in, which was destroyed in the Second World War. Florence Nightingale had an interest in Westbourne when in 1867 she was a prime mover in the building of the Herbert Home Hospital. The singer Ray Dorset of Mungo Jerry lives in the area as does British boxer Steve Bendall. Food and drink There are many places to eat and drink in Westbourne, ranging from brand establishments such as Cafe Rouge to pubs such as the Porterhouse pub, which is owned by the local Ringwood Brewery and is the official headquarters of the WFA (Westbourne Friends Association). Restaurant choices include the Westbourne Tandoori, Taj Mahal, Romanzo Greek Taverna, Indies, Renoufs Wine Bar, Camden, and Chez Fred. Cafes and bakeries include Pâtisserie Angélique and Le Petit Prince. As well as a good selection of independent restaurants and cafes, Westbourne also has a Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Subway. 2010 saw the opening of a Tesco Express which resides within a former Methodist Church. The Taj Mahal restaurant was first opened by Major Harry Burnett in 1962, and was the first Indian restaurant in Bournemouth. Transport Westbourne has good bus links to both Bournemouth and Poole and the beach is a 15-minute walk away. As of October 2022, Westbourne is served by morebus services m1, m2, 16, 20, U4, Breezer 50 and Breezer 70. Until its closure in 1965, Westbourne had a railway station known as Bournemouth West Station Terminus. The station was often very busy during the summer seasons, as it was a main disembarkation point for holidaymakers to Poole and Bournemouth. The closest railway station is now Branksome Railway Station. References External links Discover Westbourne