I’d been in Bournemouth for the best part of a week attending a conference and now, as it was Easter weekend, I was about to head a few miles further west along the coast to Poole to have a few days’ holiday with a friend. First though, there was something I wanted to do.
I wanted to walk along the seafront from Bournemouth to Sandbanks.
The Bournemouth seafront has a little bit that’s tacky, but mostly it’s rather lovely. A much better fit for the wealthy retirees who make Bournemouth their home than the seafronts of tourist towns like Blackpool.
About 3 miles to the west is Sandbanks, an almost island (it’s joined to the mainland by a thin strip of land) which is supposedly the most expensive place to live in Britain.
Setting off at about 5pm from outside the Russell-Cotes Museum, I walked along the promenade towards the setting sun. Unlike many seaside promenades which are set a bit above the beach, this one runs level. I felt like I was walking along the beach without having to deal with irritating issues like shoes full of sand.
I spent a couple of hours ambling along and taking lots of photos. In the distance I could see the Old Harry Rocks just off the Studland Peninsula where I planned to walk in a couple of days’ time. Looking back I could see Bournemouth shrinking away.
It was a beautiful warm evening even though there was a bit of cloud and haze. People were out walking their dogs, having a beer or picnic with friends, playing football and just generally enjoying the evening.
This part of the coastline is quite hilly. There are several ‘chines’ which can be explored (but I’ll have to wait until next time to do that). A chine is a steep gulley leading from the land above down to sea level. They were formed when water cut through the soft rock. In Bournemouth the chines seem to be wooded and parklike. As I was walking along the flat promenade by the beach I only got to see them from sea level. This site explains a bit more about them.
How to walk from Bournemouth to Sandbanks
Leaving the Russell-Cotes Museum which is set on a hill, the path steeply drops back to sea level. Along the fence were several goats munching away at the undergrowth. According to the local council goats are the only viable way of keeping the vegetation on these steep cliffs under control. They eat the invasive species such as Japanese knotweed and holm oak, allowing native species and wildlife to flourish.
Back at the promenade and first up is the tacky bit. As I’ve said already though, it really isn’t too bad. A pier, a big wheel, a few shops selling ice creams, candy floss and sticks of rock and that’s about it.
I didn’t go on the pier as there’s a charge and it didn’t really seem worth it as it’s so short. The view from end won’t have been much better than the view I already had.
Just past the pier is the Oceanarium which is a fancy name for an aquarium. I went in on the Sunday afternoon when I arrived and although it’s quite small, it does have an awful packed in. I saw sharks, penguins, otters and lots of lots fish.
A bit further along and past the Oceanarium is a section with some rather tropical looking beach bars and restaurants. Just by them, for easy access, are the Cliff Lifts. These look like cable cars but are actually classed as a light railway. Built in 1908 they link the seafront and beach with the town above. Of course I had to have a go on them.
It didn’t take long before I was leaving the town behind. On my left was the sea. On my right were cliffs and beach huts.
The promenade reminded me far more of other countries than it did of an English seaside town. It was all so clean for starters. And there were nice little touches like electric barbecues for public use. There were also toilets and the odd little cafe or ice cream shop every now and again.
Ahead of me I could see the Studland Peninsula with the Old Harry Rocks at the far end.
I passed some of the chines. I think the ones below are Branksome Chine.
You can see the layers of the cliffs and how easily they can be eroded. There were lots of signs warning people against climbing on them.
Bournemouth far away on the horizon
Looking back the way I’d come, Bournemouth seemed very far away. It did look lovely in the evening light though. And I hadn’t realised how white it was until I saw it from a distance.
Part way along the walk I passed as sign telling me I’d left Bournemouth behind and was now in Poole. Without the sign I would have had no idea as there was no difference in the way the beaches looked, their upkeep and the facilities available.
Almost before I knew it I’d arrived in Sandbanks. I crossed the road to the bus stop and had a lovely view over the water to some of the houses and the marina further along.
It had taken me about 1.25 hrs. I’d walked steadily but slowly, more of a stroll really, and stopped regularly to look at the view and take photos. I had about half an hour to wait before the last bus of the day arrived just before 7pm to take me back to Bournemouth.
Whilst I waited I had this gorgeous sunset to look at.
The map below shows the part of the coast I walked along. It was really straightforward as it’s one long (and flat) promenade the whole way.
Have you been to Dorset or Sandbanks? Is it somewhere you’d like to visit? Would you like to walk from Bournemouth to Sandbanks. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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