Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

In Praise of Westbourne by Hugh Ashley

The suspension bridge in Alum Chine is mentioned in Cyril Connolly’s The Unquiet Grave.

He stayed in nearby Branksome Chine and walked across the ‘quivering planks’.

So it is interesting to read in a new book by Hugh Ashley, In Praise of Westbourne, that the crossing also features in a Cumberland Clark poem called Alum Chine written about the same time.

Stretched across a deep ravine,
For every eye a pleasant scene,
With here a dip, and there a ridge,
Is Alum Chine Suspension Bridge,
You’ll stand upon it, if you’re wise.
And leisurely will feast your eyes
Upon the glories to be found
Below and everywhere around.

The bridge, more than a century old, is part of the coast path.

Hugh’s book reminds us that in 1973 the Council considered demolishing the crossing when faced with a £22,000 repair bill.

A chapter in the book, ‘Middle Chine to Alum Chine’, is devoted to the coast of Westbourne.

The book is available (£14.99) from the excellent Westbourne Bookshop.

Obelisk and shops at Barton-on-Sea

Expect to find quiet Barton-on-Sea slightly a little more crowded than usual on Tuesday 10 July.

It will be 101 years since a monument was erected at Barton-on-Sea to recall the WW1 Convalescent Depot.

The centenary last year passed with little notice but this year, being the anniversary of the end of the war, there will be a ceremony at the obelisk near the clifftop.

The depot with a sea view was a hospital for Indian troops who had served in Europe.

The inscription on one side of the monument is in Urdu.

At 2pm on Tuesday the Indian High Commissioner will unveil a permanent information board prepared by Cllr Geoff Beck with help from the Milton Heritage Society.

The hundred guests expected include the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and the MP Sir Desmond Swayne.

A kirpan, a small sword which is an article of Sikh faith, will be presented to the Mayor of New Milton.

Expect to hear Sikh drummers on the coast path after the ceremony when it will be possible to view an exhibition at Barton Court opposite.

The venue is appropriate since the depot occupied the Barton Court Hotel of which the nearby shops are a remnant.

10 July 1917 was also a Tuesday.

Outdoor tables at the tearoom

Highcliffe Castle is now open again following the winter closure.

The hours are Sunday to Thursday 10:30am–5pm. Friday and Saturday opening times can vary if there is  a wedding. Admission £2.50.

Coast walkers can pass through the grounds free from 7am to 7.30pm. But at present it is still necessary to go via the main entrance whilst the zig-zag cliff path remains closed.

The Castle’s tea rooms are open to all from 10am to 5.30pm this summer.

New leaflet with voucher from TICs

Cherry Tree Walk

There is a little blossom at the west end of Cherry Tree Walk on the West Cliff.

Lots of buds are on other trees although some half way along, where there is high ground, have been hit by the recent blast of cold.

The 175 yard short cut is on West Overcliff Drive between Middle and Durley Chines.

Approaching Milford-on-Sea

The England Coast Path proposals for Highcliffe to Calshot have now been published.

The ECP is a government initiative to create a continuous coastal path round England.

The Natural England report for Highcliffe to Calshot states that its recommendations generally follow “existing walked routes, including public rights of way, along most of this length.”

It adds that the proposed route is “similar to the existing Solent Way, E9 European Long Distance Route and the Bournemouth Coast Path”.

(Bournemouth Coast Path is the overall name for the Sandbanks to Milford-on-Sea coast route incorporating the named local stretches such as Christchurch Coastal Path. The BCP guidebook includes the Solent Way, which starts at Milford-on-Sea, as far as Lymington.)

The report says: “In some areas it is no longer possible to walk on the definitive line of the existing public rights of way due to cliff erosion; here we have proposed the most appropriate route on the ground.”

It also says that “part of the route of the trail on this length of coast would be able to change without further approval from the Secretary of State in response to coastal erosion or other geomorphological processes, or encroachment by the sea. This would happen in accordance with the criteria and procedures for ‘roll back’…”

There has been been an adverse reaction from landowners and walkers to the proposals east of Lymington where the path has long been mainly away from the sea.

But the proposals west of Lymington have been generally well received.

The only disappointment is near Highcliffe.

Whilst Ramblers chair Frank Welling declares the Highcliffe to Lymington proposals “fine” he does regret that the inland diversion at Naish Farm caravan park (next to Chewton Bunny) remains in place.

It had been hoped that the ‘roll-back’ provision might be applied to the farm’s dramatic crumbling cliff.

The only change from the route described in the BCP guide for the Milford-on-Sea to Lymington stretch is at Moses Dock beyond Oxey Lake. Here the new proposal is for the coastal path to cross the dock and avoid passing in front of Creek Cottage.

Of the two reports for the Bournemouth Coast Path this one is the most positive and faithful to local routes.

Copies of the Highcliffe to Calshot report can be seen at Lymington and New Milton public libraries.

Responses must be received by Wednesday 9 May. Afterwards the proposals and any public observations will go the Secretary of State Michael Gove for approval.

Boscombe clifftop in summer

The coast path in Dorset has two of the top 30 beaches says The Times.

Studland Bay is number 12 with its “gently shelving bathing waters and views of Old Harry Rocks and across to the Isle of Wight”.

More surprising is the inclusion of often overlooked Boscombe at number 24 which is described as “cool”. But it does add the “when the weather is good”.

Bournemouth Daily Echo

A committee recommendation to reopen the Christchurch Coastal Path at Highcliffe Castle is going before the Christchurch Council on Tuesday.

It is expected that the full council will approve an allocation of funds which would see the short but vital zig-zag link on the cliff reopen in a year’s time.

The Council at first rejected proposals to repair the path which had been declared unsafe.

However, thousands of people including residents have called for the full Coastal Path to be reopened as soon as possible.

New Milton Advertiser’s 16 February report

Poole Council has detected movement on the cliff just west of Canford Cliffs Chine.

Minor falls were reported early last year and as a result markers were placed on the cliff below Cliff Drive.

Now there is fencing on the promenade.

New Year’s Day 2018 walkers

The first day of 2018 saw people walking on the Bournemouth Coast Path.

It was not too cold and there was even some sunshine.

Honeycombe Chine and Boscombe Cliff

East Cliff near Royal Bath Hotel

Royal Bath Hotel (left) and Russell-Côtes Art Gallery & Museum

Last tree at east end of Poole Bay cliff

Old Harry Rocks with Durlston Castle seen beyond the hill

West Cliff

This weekend Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October is the last one for visiting Highcliffe Castle until March next year.

During the winter there will be restoration and building work to allow for more of the castle to be open to the public.

Glass will be repaired and furniture brought back from the Victoria & Albert Museum.

The cafe will remain open all winter.

Meanwhile Christchurch Council is having a further debate on Tuesday about reopening the coast path zigzag link in the grounds. This follows pressure from residents.