East coast of Dorset
The most easterly stretch of Dorset coast runs from Highcliffe to Mudeford Quay, and includes Friars Cliff and Avon Beach. It is mainly sandy with a shoreline promenade. The cafés and restaurants along the way include the Cliffhanger Café, the most easterly café on the Dorset coastline.
The small town of Highcliffe on Sea has a popular shopping area centred on Lymington Road which runs parallel to the sea front about 250 yards away. It has a few hotels, bars and restaurant The main visitor attraction is Highcliffe Castle on the western outskirts of the town. Originally completed in 1835, with its amazing view of the channel and the Isle of Wight, the castle deteriorated during the mid 1900's, but has now been restored to its former glory. Highcliffe is on the bus route from Bournemouth to Lymington with a half hourly service from 6 am to 6 pm
Mudeford Quay
At Mudeford Quay which is a favourite haunt of children for crab fishing you can cross the mouth of Christchurch Harbour by ferry to Mudeford Sandbank, which is said to be the location of the most expensive beach huts in the UK. Coincidentally at the western end of this stretch of coast lies Sandbanks in Poole, which has one of the highest land values in the world.
Mudeford Sandbank divides Christchurch Harbour from the English Channel and is dominated by the ancient headland of Hengistbury Head.
Mudeford Sandbank can also be accessed from the west, but not by car. Options from the Hengistbury Head car park are walking, biking, or the "Noddy Train".
Hengistbury Head
For many years Hengistbury Head car park was the terminal for one of Bournemouth's summer "open top" bus routes to Sandbanks, but although this has now been discontinued, a new hourly summer only service between Bournemouth and Christchurch via Hengistbury Head has been introduced. www.bybus.co.uk.
To the west of Hengistbury Head lies the magnificent 10 mile sweep of Poole Bay. The sandy beach, backed for the majority of its course from Southbourne to Sandbanks by the promenade, is a firm favourite for family seaside trips.
Bournemouth Prom
This promenade is available for both pedestrians and cyclists, making trips between Bournemouth and Poole avoiding the busy traffic. Another form of transport for getting along the promenade is the colourful land trains which operate between Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers and between Bournemouth Pier and Alum Chine.
The seafront has many spots to eat, drink and enjoy the views - traditional beach cafes, public houses, modern restaurants. There are also amusement arcades and the piers at Boscombe and Bournemouth. From Bournemouth Pier you can take an exhilarating speedboat ride or more leisurely cruises to Brownsea Island, Poole and Swanage.
Access to the beach from the towns and clifftop hotels is by the way of the famous Bournemouth chines, several "zigzag" cliff paths and the three cliff railways located at Fisherman Walk, Southbourne; East Cliff between Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth Pier; West Cliff about 400 yards to the west of Bournemouth Pier.
Surfers paradise
Just east of Boscombe Pier is Europe's first artificial surf reef, which is 220m offshore, the size of a football pitch and is made up of 55 giant sandbags.
Boscombe beach also hosts the famous Hemingway Design Beach pods which are an integral part of the £11million Regeneration project turning Boscombe back into a holiday resort in its own right.
Also along the beaches either side of Bournemouth Pier the LV KidZone is operated from 1st July to the first week in September. This divides the beach into eight sections and each child is provided with an appropriately coloured wristband to make it easier to locate their families if they go missing.
The Chines
Between Alum Chine and Branksome Dene Chine lies the boundary between Bournemouth and Poole and from here the sandy beach and promenade continue for a further 3 miles passing Branksome Chine, and Canford Cliffs, ending at the Sandbanks Peninsula. The narrow causeway that links Canford Cliffs to Sandbanks separates Poole Harbour from the sea.
This is the location where even the humblest home will not give you much change from £250K and where properties costing several millions are not that rare. The local newspaper regularly speculates about which famous footballer, oil magnate or show business personality will be the next to find a home here.
Sandbanks
The Sandbanks Peninsula is served by buses from both Poole and Bournemouth town centres. It is also the departure point for the chain ferry across Poole Harbour mouth to Studland and pleasure trips to Brownsea Island.
