Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

May Bank Holiday Monday was a good time to test the refurbished Hiker cafe at Hengistbury Head. 

It stands just west of Double Dykes and at the end of the road. The low building can be seen from the coast path. 

With the loss of nearby Point House Cafe on the path it is more important than ever that the Hiker cafe can offer good quick food. It did today when at about 12.30pm I enjoyed a stilton and mushroom baked potato (£4.85). There was also a bacon and brie version. And tap water was available.

A mug of coffee is £1.70 and hot chocolate £1.70.  

Hiker was relaunched by last year in partnership with Bournemouth Council. Just refurbished is Bistro on The Beach at Southbourne. It’s under new ownership and still offering breakfast. It also has jacket potato on the menu. 

See pages 50 and 52.

With the end of winter there has been a review of coast protection in the Christchurch and New Forest area.

The New Forest National Park Authority has issued a report on changes to its coastline. Whilst the coast just east of Milford-on-Sea is protected by both the Isle of Wight and the Hurst Spit it is still not immune to climate change. 

The review reports on predictions of sea level rises and more frequent storms. The saltmarsh is receding every year and it is suggested that regular hot weather will lead to a surge in tourists visiting the coast. 

Meanwhile in Christchurch coastal management officer Steve Woolard has presented the council with a report on last month’s severe storm which left both the coast path’s winter route through Christchurch and Mudeford Quay at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour flooded. 

There was also damage to the Sandspit below Hengistbury Head. Steve Woolard suggests that similar storms could be happening once every three years by 2052.

See pages 58, 63, 78-83.

The Sandbanks Chain Ferry will be out of action for two months in the autumn.

The ferry company has made an early announcement about the ferry’s annual winter refit. The service will cease late on Sunday 22 September. It is hoped that the ferry will run again early in November.

However, this year it is not just the vessel which is being refurbished. Both slipways are to be rebuilt as there is a danger of them being underminded by tidal action if work is postponed.

Earlier this week the ferry had to cease operations due to rough sea and a high tide which flooded Shore Road in Sandbanks leaving the peninsular cut off.

Last year the winter the closure ran longer than expected.

See pages 20 and 21.

An appeal by developers against the refusal for flat development on the site of The Point House Cafe in Southbourne has been dismissed by the Planning Inspector. 

The popular cafe, which closed in 2006, is the last house in Poole Bay for walkers taking the coast path from west to east. Being alongside the coast path it was the natural break for refreshment before tackling the section over Hengistbury Head to the Mudeford Ferry. 

Harrison Developments’ plan to demolish the cafe and build a four storey block of flats drew over 800 objections.The Inspector, Andrew Newman, says: “The larger scale and mass of the proposed building by comparison with the existing building on the site, combined with its contrastingly modern design and prominent location on the cliff-top, would cause the proposal to have an unacceptable impact on the appearance of the area.”

Mr Newman described the former cafe as “a much appreciated amenity” valued by local people.

Point House, which opened in 1963, had several famous regular visitors including Rolf Harris and Alex James. It was also used as a location for The Project, a BBC television drama about New Labour, starring Ian McFadden.

Last weekend a walker became trapped up to his knees in heavy mud after wandering off the beach to the cliff base.

Luciano Vitrello from London was walking along the beach below Naish Farm caravan park when the incoming tide drove him up on to the mud at the bottom of the crumbling cliff.

It was over an hour after the emergency services were called that the fire brigade and coastguards managed to free him. Earler two passers-by had failed to release him.

It has served as a warning to those who deviate from the coast path. Southbourne Coastguard officer Andrew Edwards said that such incidents were not uncommon and suggested walkers should check tide times.

The coast path runs north up nearby Chewton Bunny and behind Naish Farm before reaching Barton-on-Sea.

Matthew Norman’s review of Cafe Shore at Sandbanks in the Guardian magazine was very critical. 

The coast path passes the door of Cafe Shore although few walkers stop for lunch. Matthew Norman paid £94.25 for two people.

Last month I dropped into a cafe a mile further on. Just before the coast path reaches the start of the long promenade below Poole Head there is Jazzy’s on the left. It’s almost at the end of Shore Road.

The soup (£4.95) was generous and came with a good chunk of ciabatta and butter. On its own it was warm and filling enough to fuel us up for the clifftop walk into Bournemouth.

There is no great view from the windows but the atmosphere is like an informal South of France cafe and there is even a log fire with settees.

You need to get to know how it works. Take a menu from the basket and find a table. Then queue up at the counter by the door to give your order which will be brought to your table usually quite quickly. They serve a good tuna mayonnaise baked potato with salad (£7.50) as well as coffee and hot chocolate.

Jazzy’s, 28 Shore Road, BH13 7PJ is open 10am-4pm daily in winter.

See page 23.

Plans for a restored Pavilion in Bournemouth are on show for just two days.

The Pavilion theatre complex is yards from the seafront and a landmark for anyone arriving at the Pier approach at the heart of old Bournemouth. Its theatre, where stars have appeared, hosted many early party conferences including Labour’s 1940 gathering which confirmed the Churchill coalition.

The building was opened in the Twenties and it seems that original features might be restored or replicated. The downside for many is that it is to be paid for by the opening of a casino alongside.

Developer Trevor Osborne is investing £13m in the restoration of the listed Pavilion. Work on demolishing the 1970s West Terrace extension is already complete.

Bournemouth Council is seeking views before the plans are considered by the planning board in March.

The scheme and an architect’s model can be seen in the Lucullus Room at The Pavilion from 12 noon to 6.30pm today and Friday.

Council Leader Stephen MacLoughlin says “We’re delighted to unveil these latest plans. They include better quality outside space to be enjoyed by anyone in the town, whether or not they choose to eat in the restaurants, attend a performance or visit the casino.”

A dead dolphin has been washed up on Bournemouth beach. It was found yesterday near Durley Chine and could be the same one seen in difficulty in Swanage Bay on Sunday.

At the end of last month a healthy seal was seen on the Hurst Spit shingle. Earlier one had been seen near Lymington. This is rare but not unkown for the area with similar reports in 1974 and 2001.

The Sandbanks television programme did not do much for the area’s reputation. It was not a rounded picture with no mention of the ferry, St Nicholas Chapel, the excellent year round 150 bus service or the shop. It even ignored famous past long stay visitors such as wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi and Beatle John Lennon.

However, warmer winter weather is bringing increased numbers of visitors who don’t like dogs or dog mess. At present dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenade and off the beach along the Poole seafront from Sandbanks to Branksome Chine only in summer.

Now there is a plan to ban dogs from the promenade at the Sandbanks end all year. Poole Council is conducting an informal consultation of beach users over the next eight weeks with views going to the environment overview group.

A three part series over three nights on ITV is devoted to Sandbanks at the western end of the Bournemouth Coast Path.

The sandy peninsula lies within the borough of Poole with just one road entry although some motorists arrive by ferry by way of the Isle of Purbeck. Many people pass through on the 150 Bournemouth-Swanage open top bus which takes precedence over all other traffic queuing for the ferry including large cars from the exclusive houses.

The houses and plots are amongst the most expensive in Europe with such residents as Harry Redknapp and his daughter Louise. Sir Ernest Cassel was one of the first to have beach house there but he did not think it worth buying the land. He may have been right since there are now fears about rising sea levels.

Piers Morgan fronts the programme made last year and talks to residents and an estate agent. 

See pages 20-23.

Sandbanks is on ITV at 10.35 on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January.