Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

The Majestic Mansion exhibition at Highcliffe Castle runs until Sunday 2 September.

The excellent display by the castle’s historian Ian Stevenson is marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee . The exhibition is well worth seeing as it contains new research.

First it is interesting to see the large number of Royal Family members who dropped in. For example the Queen of Sweden called with her son and fiancee just before their wedding at St Stephen’s Church in Bournemouth. Since the church was still being built, and was not licensed for marriages, the Royal couple were required to first attend a civil ceremony in Christchurch.

Queen Victoria never saw Highcliffe but there were huge plans made when her lady in waiting hinted that Her Majesty might sail over from the Isle of Wight.

The display reveals that Queen Adelaide’s doctor lived at Hordle House.

It was interesting to see a picture of Edward VII on one of his visits arriving at Hinton Admiral Station and to learn that on another occasion that the King and chauffeur wore goggles for the short trip in the open Daimler between castle and station.

The last Royal visitor was the Duke of Gloucester who as an architect and English Heritage commissioner took a great interest in the building. That visit did not get much press coverage since it took place as news was reaching the UK of the twin towers  attack in New York.

The annual service in the remains of cliff top Hordle Old Church is on Sunday 2 September.

The picnic is at 5.30pm followed by the service at 6pm.

The Walking in the Country blog continues to explore the Bournemouth Coast Path.

In the Mudeford to Barton-on-Sea section, described as ‘remarkably interesting and varied’, mention is made of the thatched cottage at Avon Beach. By chance this has just featured in the Daily Mail as ‘the prettiest cottage in England’.

The coastguard has issued a warning about the cliffs between Chewton Bunny and Barton-on-Sea which mustv apply to the wifer area.

“If your dog goes over the cliff, don’t attempt to recover it yourself, but call the coastguard on 999,” said the coastguard who was commenting on an incident. “Stay clear of the cliff edge at all times.”

The New Milton Advertiser has a report this week.

The Bournemouth Daily Echo has  a report on Sunday’s late afternoon cliff rescue at Barton-on-Sea.

Enjoy the sea water baths at Lymington while you can.

The New Milton Advertiser, a very good local newspaper, has a front page story about the continuing row about the baths’ future.

The Manor House Hotel at Studland is to be renamed next year.

It has been bought by the Pig hotel in the New Forest and so this property will known as the Pig on the Beach.

The National Trust property was built about 1825 as the seaside home of George Bankes who lived at Kingston Lacey.

The Pig gets lots of mentions in food reviews but its takeover of the charming Manor House probably means an end to afternoon tea.

A man has been rescued this afternoon by the coastguard and fire services after becoming stuck in the sand at Taddiford Gap.

He appears to have come down the footpath from the main road on his bicycle. Maybe he wanted to see the spot before it is dug up for the wind farm link.

There have been similar incidents at Chewton Bunny and the advice is to be very careful about venturing on to wet beaches especially when there is a rising tide as today.

The coastguard report indicates that another cliff fall near Taddiford Gap may be imminent.

Sandbanks Ferry has restarted normal crossings from 6.20pm tonight, Thursday 14 June.

Sandbanks was in the news this morning with the press waiting outside Harry Redknapp’s house.

He went off to play golf but the other unexpected news story is the suspension of the Sandbanks Ferry. Repairs are being undertaken during today Thursday 14 June.