Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

As part of the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival there is free admission to The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum this weekend. Open free Saturday 14 October and Sunday 15 Oct 2017, 10am to 5pm. This is a rare … Continue reading →

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum on the coast path near the start of the East Cliff is a good stop for food and a rest. The building is the former clifftop home of Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife … Continue reading →

The Bournemouth-based The National Coastal Tourism Academy latest report finds that coastal walking is popular. The survey for Perceptions of the English Coast: Identifying Opportunities for Domestic Non-Visitors reveals that “The most popular activity was walking”. The summary says: “Coastal … Continue reading →

Bournemouth’s annual air show on the coast starts on Thursday 31 August and runs to Sunday. The big attraction is always the Red Arrows which can be seen on Thursday 6pm, Friday 3.30pm and Saturday at noon. Expect large crowds … Continue reading →

A room at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery is this month devoted to the Bournemouth artist and illustrator Eustace Nash (1886 –1969) who knew the coast well. With his friend and fellow artist Leslie Ward (188-1978) he explored Bournemouth, Poole Harbour … Continue reading →

A 1950 double decker Bournemouth Corporation Bus, an early Yellow Bus, is running from Bournemouth Station (Travel Interchange) to Hengistbury Head on two August Sundays. On Sundays 13 and 27 August the bus will leave Bournemouth Station at 09.58am, 11.28am, 1.28pm … Continue reading →

Further restoration work on Highcliffe Castle begins today. At first the library and the ante-library, where the Kaiser have his famous Telegraph interview, will be closed. The entire castle will be closed to visitors during the winter. The work is … Continue reading →

The war memorial at Barton-Sea was dedicated a hundred years ago today. The ceremony took place Tuesday 10 July 1917 outside the clifftop Barton Court Hotel. This is the oldest First World War memorial and it was erected before the … Continue reading →

Highcliffe Castle tea rooms has reopened and is rebranded Castle Kitchen. Christchurch Council declined to renew Sean Kearney’s contract and, despite huge local opposition, has accepted a bid from the international Aramark catering company. The Castle Kitchen is open daily 9.30am-5pm … Continue reading →

Natural England has published proposals for how the national coastal path might pass along the Bournemouth coast. This is the result of plans promised under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. After careful reading I have now submitted my … Continue reading →