Bunker Art Studio is a small, independent studio-gallery in Boscombe, run by the artist Penny Hansford. Rather than a large civic gallery, it's one of the creative units tucked inside the Royal Arcade, Boscombe's landmark Victorian shopping arcade, giving it a more personal, workshop feel than the town's bigger museums and exhibition spaces.
Inside the Royal Arcade
The Royal Arcade itself is worth a moment's attention. Built in 1892 by Archibald Beckett, a local builder sometimes called "the maker of Boscombe," it's a Grade II-listed arcade known for its high glass-domed ceiling, which once let daylight down onto concerts performed by an organ, orchestra and singers on a balcony above the shopping floor. That Victorian building now houses a mix of independent shops and small creative businesses, of which Bunker Art Studio is one, it has occupied more than one unit within the arcade over the years.
Visiting
Because it's a small, independently run studio rather than a staffed public gallery, opening hours aren't formally published, the studio's Facebook page is the most reliable way to check before you go. It's worth combining a visit with a wander around the rest of the Royal Arcade and Boscombe's wider creative scene, including nearby Boscombe Arts Depot.
It's one of several independent creative spaces around Boscombe. Explore more in our guide to things to do in Bournemouth.