Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

The Savoy Hotel on Bournemouth’s West Cliff has been refurbished and rebranded as The Nici. Past guests at the old Savoy include the American monk, mystic and author Thomas Merton (1915-1968) who got to know the clifftop well. As a … Continue reading →

Sunday being Rogation Sunday, four days before Ascension Day, it was time for the annual Blessing of the Waters at Mudeford Quay. Rogation is a time for walking the fields and blessing the coming crops. But on the coast the … Continue reading →

Hurst Castle is one of the world’s 25 most significant heritage sites in need of immediate attention says the World Monuments Watch. The 2022 World Monuments Watch calls attention to Hurst Castle as a warning about the future fate of … Continue reading →

This week’s Country Life has a superb cover picture of Old Harry Rocks. It is an image of ‘This sceptre’s isle’. The point is named after the 15th-century Poole pirate Harry Paye although also known as Handfast Point. Numerous ships … Continue reading →

A new book on the Hythe Ferry pier railway will be of interest to those who walk the coast path. Continue east beyond the Bournemouth Coast Path and all it embraces and after Milford-on-Sea you find yourself on the Solent … Continue reading →

This year is the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth on 15 August 1771. Walter Scott, at one time the most famous writer in the world, was 36 years old when he came to Mudeford in April 1807 staying … Continue reading →

Posters have gone up in Swanage advertising a recording of BBC Songs of Praise. Aled Jones is the host and the two hour recording on Thursday 29 July which will start in late afternoon at 5.30pm to catch the evening … Continue reading →

The direct path into Milford-on-Sea from the west has reopened following major sea defence work. Once more the Westover cliff path continues in front of The White House to join the Milford-on-Sea promenade. This improvement coincides with the reopening of … Continue reading →

Now we are much more free to walk long distances and stay in overnight accommodation it is time to think about walking from Swanage to Lymington. Or start by walking a short distance between chines or the piers. You can … Continue reading →

“Additional rock armour” is to be provided to protect the coast path at Steamer Point near Highcliffe. This is just part of a new BCP Council strategy to slow coastal erosion between Hengistbury Head and Chewton Bunny on the Dorset/Hampshire … Continue reading →