Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

The West Cliff path leading down to Bournemouth’s Pier Approach has re-opened following the Labour Party Conference.

During the last six days, the Highcliff Hotel has been packed with ministers and media whilst the land train, usually only seen in summer, has been carrying delegates up and down the slope between the hotel and the conference centre below. The many TV satellite dish vans have also gone.

The coast looked magnificent during conference week with low mist over the Purbeck beaches on Saturday and sun on other days. One evening the Christchurch Bay coast could be seen lit by sun behind Hengistbury Head which was in shadow. Pictures have been a good advertisement for the Bournemouth Coast Path. What a pity the Ramblers’ Association did not have its usual fringe meeting this year.

Next year the Liberals will be a the same Bournemouth conference centre but security is unlikely to be so massive for an opposition party.

See pages 30-33.

The exclusion zone around the Labour Party Conference on Bournemouth’s West Cliff is now in force. The site embraces the Bournemouth International Centre and the Highcliff Hotel.

Walkers approaching along the clifftop from Durley Chine must turn left inland into West Hill Road. At the crossroads go right along Priory Road which crosses St Michael’s Road (good for hotels) and soon runs downhill to Exeter Road. Ahead is the Royal Exeter Hotel, the town’s oldest building. Go right along Exeter Road to pass between the BIC front entrance and the Punshon Memorial Church to reach the Pier.

The diversion is full of interest. This Sunday’s Labour Party church service at the Punshon is the last service in the church which is closing. The Methodist church, rebuilt on a new site after Second World War bombing, is the national memorial to the leading 19th-century Methodist preacher William Morley Punshon.

The cliffside route on the West Cliff will reopen late on Thursday afternoon.

See pages 30-33.