Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

There are reports this morning of the sea in Poole Harbour being frozen.

The Marine’s cafe is open daily 10am to 5pm. At weekends you will find the doors open at 9.30am. The Marine is at the east end of on the Milford-on-Sea beach where you make the decision about walking to Lymington … Continue reading →

Portraits of The 4th Marquis and Marchioness of Headfort go on sale at Sotheby’s in May. From the year of their marriage in 1901 until 1910 the couple lived at Pennington House which is seen from the coast path along … Continue reading →

Over the weekend someone became stuck in mud near Chewton Bunny. The report is in the Echo. But this is not new and has happened nearby below Naish Farm. Beach and cliffs can be dangerous.  

Christchurch Council plans to change the paths in Chewton Bunny as part of a scheme to allow biking. The consultation runs until early February. The details are here.

Good to see Bournemouth listed among the world’s ten top beaches along with Cape Cod and Capri.

Just back from visiting the fabulous revamped Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. Allan Ramsay’s full-length portrait of the 3rd Earl of Bute can be seen flanked by Queen Charlotte and George III. The hanging highlights Bute’s huge influence before … Continue reading →

Ken Russell lived in Southampton and the New Forest. He knew Highcliffe’s Naish Farm next to Chewton Bunny as a holiday destination in the Thirties. His 1977 film Valentino was partly made in Bournemouth where the cliff top Russell-Cotes Museum … Continue reading →

The launch of the Poppy appeal at Highcliffe Castle was a bold gesture. It is a good place to recall the past especially those who died during the ‘Great War’. The castle was home to Germany’s Kaiser for three weeks … Continue reading →

The seawater bathing pool at Lymington has a deficit of £40,000 but is reopening next May. This is good news as it has been a coastal feature since 1780 when it was a saltern. But it seems that a balloon … Continue reading →