Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

About Leigh Hatts

Leigh Hatts is an experienced walker and has known the local coastline since childhood. He is the author of many successful walking guides.

Highcliffe Castle zig-zag consultation

The Highcliffe Castle cliff zig-zag has been closed again for sometime. Christchurch Council has allocated an astonishing £280,000 towards the rebuilding of the path which is part of the Christchurch Coastal Path. Consultation sessions for users are being held at … Continue reading

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Bournemouth Coast Path: A top UK walk

The Bournemouth Coast Path is more popular than The Pennine Way, The Three Peaks and The Thames Path according to a new poll. A thousand British walkers were asked to name their best loved walk. Chris Hardy, managing director of … Continue reading

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Highcliffe Castle cliff path now closed for a year

Christchurch Council has confirmed that the cliff path from Highcliffe Castle will remain closed all year. Retaining walls have weakened and the situation has become worse following dry weather which may have caused cliff falls elsewhere. Design preparation and the work … Continue reading

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Rogation & Ascension customs observed

Rogation Sunday will be marked this Sunday 21 May at Mudeford with the traditional Blessing of the Water at 3pm. Mudeford’s Priest in Charge Helen Griffiss will be rowed out from the quay into The Run where she will throw a … Continue reading

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Barton-on-Sea to Hordle path closed

A cliff fall has resulted in the closure of more coast path. An unexpected fall just west of Beckton Bunny at 5.30pm last Tuesday has led to fears of more to come if wet weather persists next week. Closure was already … Continue reading

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Shelley Park cafe opens

The Shelley Cafe is now open from 10.30am until 3pm. The cafe is part of the theatre in the Shelley Park clifftop mansion. Brownies, biscuits and flapjacks were on the counter this morning. This will be the heritage place to … Continue reading

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CAMRA at BIC

The real ale lobby group CAMRA is at the Bournemouth International Centre this weekend for its AGM. Members can spill out on to the coast path to see the fantastic view. The coast is a great theme of the new Poole … Continue reading

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Canford Cliffs: Landslip causes concern

A slight cliff fall at Canford Cliffs is causing concern. The slip might be missed, especially on the Canford Cliffs Promenade, but the higher coast path has been fenced off. Planned work by Poole Council on new beach huts has … Continue reading

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Keyhaven Lambing Day

Keep walking east along the Bournemouth Coast Path and eventually, at the end of Christchurch Bay, you come to the Hurst Spit and Keyhaven. You may see some sheep. Tomorrow Saturday 1 April is Aubrey Farm open day at Keyhaven 10am-3pm. … Continue reading

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Christchurch Priory is Bill Bryson’s favourite church

Christchurch Priory is seen from Hengistbury Head and close by on the Southbourne-Mudeford winter coast path route. “This is my first love among English churches,” says Bill Bryson who has listed his 14 favourite churches for the National Churches Trust. “Christchurch, … Continue reading

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