Christchurch trolleybus turntable

The Christchurch trolleybus turntable is a circular rotating mechanism on Church Street that allowed trolleybuses to change direction. The system used manual rotation with overhead electrical connections to turn the vehicles around.

The structure was built in 1936 and formed part of the Bournemouth trolleybus system that shaped transport in the town for decades. The system was shut down in 1969, ending its operational use.

The turntable reveals how trolleybuses fit into the streetscape during the early automotive age and shows the role public transport played in people's daily lives. It stands as a reminder of a time when such mechanical solutions were central to getting around cities.

The turntable is located on Church Street and is easily accessible on foot. The ground is level and clear, making it easy for visitors to view the mechanical components from different angles.

Only five such turntables for trolleybuses were ever built worldwide, and this is the sole surviving example in England. This rarity makes the mechanical solution a notable remnant of transport history.

Location: Christchurch

GPS coordinates: 50.73333,-1.77500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:00