Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

Today’s Bournemouth Daily Echo is leading on the story of an accident at Poole Harbour entrance.

The Sandbanks ferry has seen collisions before.

Lymington’s Sea Water Baths has been described as “the best open air lido” by BBC Radio 2’s Chris Evans.

But now there is a controversial plan before the town council to develop the 19th-century lido into a more “effective and sustainable” leisure “destination”.

Enjoy the former saltern as it is when passing on the coast path this summer.

Westover, the late Victorian house on the approach to Milford-on-Sea, has been sold.

It was built in 1897 by electricity pioneer Alexander Siemens who employed architect Arnold Mitchell. The house features stained glass windows, because Siemens’ wife disliked curtains, and William de Morgan tiles.

After Siemens died there in 1928 the house was occupied by another pioneer: car manufacturer Lord Nuffield.

In recent years the house has been an hotel receiving rave reviews by London food critics. The business went into receivership earlier this year.

Dorset brewers Hall & Woodhouse have stepped in to rescue the building which it will reopen shortly as The Beach House. It’s a pity to change the name but the house is in the hands of directors who appreciate the building and heritage.

If it can operate as a pub that would be a fantastic bonus for coastal walkers.

I think this is the third time that a walker has become stuck in mud at Chewton Bunny.

It’s vital to keep to the path.

See Bournemouth Daily Echo report here.

I am not sure that I approve since marriage is a serious matter but there is a wedding on Bournemouth beach tomorrow Friday 27 April.

It will be possible to see the beach and cliffs live on ITV during the Daybreak breakfast show. The wedding is towards the end of the programme.

The couple are spending the night at the Highcliff Hotel and so will start out on the Bournemouth Coast Path. Maybe the cliff lift will open early.

If the weather is good, which is now in doubt, it should look tempting enough to encourage walking. But walking in all weathers and seasons is worthwhile.

Dramatic flames lit up the cliff face between Flag Head Chine and Canford Cliffs Chine in Saturday night.

The Echo has pictures and video.

Bournemouth beach has been looking like the south of France during this good weather. The bay looks wonderful from the top of the cliff.

Now the town has won several good beach awards.

TripAdvisor says it has the best beach in the UK and the fourth best in Europe. Swanage came nineth in the UK list.

A CrossCountry Trains survey has also come up with Bournemouth having the best beach.

Repair work to Tuckton Bridge this spring is not going to affect walkers.

There were fears that the bridge would close to all traffic.

The crossing over the River Stour is part of the Southbourne-Mudeford winter route via Christchurch. During summer time there is a ferry at Mudeford.

Often the winter walkers can use Wick Ferry downstream of the bridge to cross the Stour direct into Christchurch but this cannot be relied on in deep winter.

The Mudeford Ferry will resume daily crossings from Sunday 25 March when British Summer Time begins.

Tuckton Bridge was built in 1904 and is one of the first reinforced concrete structures in the country. There will be single lane traffic during the repair period and no traffic at all from Easter Tuesday to Friday.

Controversial plans for a mountain bike park at Chewton Bunny have been put on hold after questions arose over the land ownership.

The bunny is on the edge of Christchurch Council’s boundary and bisected by the Dorset-Hampshire county boundary.

The formal consultation period for the offshore wind farm project begins on Shrove Tuesday 21 February with an exhibition in Swanage. The site is ten miles out to sea.

The public exhibition venues are:

Swanage: Mowlem Theatre, Tuesday 21 February 2pm to 8pm.

Poole: RNLI Lifeboat College, Wednesday 22 February 2pm to 8pm.

Christchurch: Civic Centre, Thursday 23 February 2pm to 8pm.

Bournemouth: Pavilion, Saturday 25 February 10am to 4pm.

West Moors: Memorial Hall, Tuesday 28 February 2pm to 8pm.

New Milton: Memorial Centre, Wednesday 29 February 2pm to 8pm.

Lymington: Community Centre, Friday 2 March 2pm to 8pm.
·
Isle of Wight: Newport Riverside Centre, Saturday 3 March 10am to 4pm.

The chosen name is Navitus Bay Wind Park.