In May 2021 we had a week off and headed to Dorset to stay with the Neale family. The forecast for the week was pretty poor, so we ventured off to Bournemouth Beach on the Saturday while the sun was just about out. It was pretty chilly, so it’s no surprise there was barely anyone on the beach. Starting from Canford Cliffs, we made our way down the beach.
The dogs seemed to be enjoying it more than us.
Roker deciding it would be a good idea to chase a seagull into the sea, despite it being absolutely baltic and not really being able to swim! Luckily she was attached to her lead, so I could just drag her back in.
Walking from Canford Cliffs we made it to Sandbanks, where we stopped in at the Buzz Cafe for a hot chocolate. Delish! Not surprisingly Roker was scared of just about every noise, so soaking wet, had to sit on my lap.
Roker posing on the beach as we walked back along the promenade.
As the weather closed in, we settled in for an afternoon of football back at the house.
The following day we made our way over to Keyhaven in the New Forest for a walk. The weather, as you’ll see was pretty gloomy but we were keen to make the most of the week off.
Keyhaven is right on the coast, and on a clearer day, you can easily see the Isle of Wight – you can just about make it out behind Hurst Point Lighthouse here.
The walk takes you through the Keyhaven marshes, but there’s a nice track that makes it super accessible no matter the weather.
After about 10 minutes of walking the heavens opened and we took shelter behind a raised ledge as best we could. In the end, we decided we’d better continue on otherwise we’d get totally drenched.
Given how torrential the rain was, we headed back to the car and will re-visit another time. Roker enjoying the rain, but not the car park (all huddled at the back of the car boot scared).
We had some lunch and a pint with Ry in the afternoon, before calling it a day.
On the Monday, we visited Slop Bog in Ferndown to walk Roker and Blue.
The bog is full of wildlife and we saw a herd of deer in the distance – luckily neither of the dogs did.
…or not!
That afternoon, we drove up to Shaftesbury to visit Julie, and also see our new niece Millie who was visiting her Nana with Tash. Introducing Millie to Roker, or maybe the other way around!
On the Tuesday, we travelled West to Kingston (which is where our wedding will be in September 2022!) for a walk.
The 7km loop, would take us through Broadley Wood…
And out towards the coastal path of Egmont Point.
A look down the coast towards Devon.
And looking back towards Bournemouth direction.
The highlight of the walk would be Chapman’s Pool, a large bay with bright blue water. Here’s the view of the bay from the towering cliff of Houns Tout.
In the distance you can see Emmetts Hill, which we’d be climbing up on the way through.
Holding tightly onto Roker so she doesn’t bolt and pull me down the hill!
It would be quite a steep descent down to the bay.
It was hard on your knees, and by this point we’d just found out that Amy was pregnant, so we were taking it extra carefully to avoid any slips!
There were some nice spots to stop off on the way down to grab a few pictures.
We then reached the bay and scrambled down to the beach, it wasn’t the nicest of beaches as there was a load of seaweed washed up on shore. A view back towards Houns Tout where we’d just walked down from.
Seaweed wasn’t the only thing that had been washed ashore unfortunately. Hopefully it had died of natural causes and not been stranded.
We wandered round the bay towards a small fishing hut.
They don’t call it the Jurassic Coast for no reason!
A view back across Chapman’s Pool before we ascended part-way up Emmetts Hill. If it had been a bit warmer, it would have been the perfect spot for a dip as the water was so calm.
It was a fairly gradual incline, but tiring (and hot!) climb nonetheless.
As it was a loop walk, the return to the car, wasn’t as interesting but it’s nice to not walk back on yourself.
Back through the farmers fields and the woods, there was a really strong smell of wild garlic as we approached the car.
We made it back to Kingston after a couple of hours.
Stopping for lunch in the Scott’s Arms, we admired the views out towards Corfe Castle. Our wedding venue was literally a two minute walk from here, so was pretty fun to be in the area.
In the afternoon, we decided to do another loop walk, this time going past Winspit Quarry and back round the top of Emmetts Hill – so the other way round from this morning.
Winspit is a disused quarry on the cliffs near Worth Matravers. You can see the abandoned ruins of the quarry below.
Passing the quarry we swung West to walk down the coastline towards the peak of Emmitts Hill. There were some dramatic drops along the narrow path.
Roker getting a closer peak. Here’s a few other shots from the coastline too.
We then reached the top of the walk, with views back to where we had walked this morning. That’s Houns Tout in the distance. It was then a steep walk down, and back up again! So annoying!
Chapman’s Pool.
It was then back through the farmers fields to the car, which was parked in Worth Matravers.
With the bad weather closing in for the rest of the week, Wednesday was our last day to get out and do some walking with the sun. We actually headed back to a part of Dorset that we visited last summer, without realising we were right next to Old Harry’s Rocks.
The area of Studland, looks back over both Bournemouth (above) and Swanage as shown below.
Old Harry’s Rocks were right at the tip of the peninsula (which is why we missed it last summer). We were a little more prepared this time round.
Our first view of the rock formation jolting out of the sea.
Thousands of years ago, Old Harry’s Rocks and The Needles on the Isle of Wight were linked by a line of chalk hills that eroded away during the last ice age. Pretty crazy!
A look back down the coast. It’s a beautiful time of the year to visit with all of the flowers blooming.
The peninsula has been eroded over the years and little caves, bays and rock formations appear.
We then wandered back along the coastline towards the town of Studland, passing South Beach on the way.
For lunch we stopped in at Bankes Arms for a burger/fish and chips and a local IPA plus some nice views of the ocean.
That afternoon we chose to visit Corfe Castle. Corfe Castle is both the village name, and the castle (obviously!).
You have to pay to visit, but once in you’re free to roam the grounds. The castle is severely damaged and barely standing in places due to medieval wars during the 17th century.
Roker checking if the falcon is real or not.
The castle stands at the top of a hill, so there were great views back across the Corfe Castle village and beyond.
You also have the chance to spot the Swanage Steam Train which passes by. It’s very much a tourist attraction these days!
We wandered back through the village, before Amy decided to head back to the car with Roker, whereas I’d found a viewpoint of the castle that I was keen to check out before we left the area.
The hill in which Corfe Castle sits upon, is actually dwarfed on both sides, and there’s a steep path up to the top of East Hill for a great view of the castle.
And great views back over the village too.
It was then back to Ferndown to make the most of the last of the sunshine for the week. The dogs really getting on well.
On the Thursday, we headed to the New Forest to walk Roker and Blue.
Starting out in Burley, we wandered through the heaths for an hour or so.
Roker going for a dip.
For lunch that day, we’d booked to go to the Wimborne Pig – which was highly rated! For starter, a cheesy Marmite soufflé and ham croquette.
And for main, a delicious burger and chips for me, and Amy went for the sea bass.
For the rest of the week the weather was less than ideal, so we only really ventured out for dog walks. Sandbanks beach deserted due to high winds and cloud.
And that was it for the week holiday down in Dorset.
Alex and Amy's Travels 