Mudeford Sandbank, Hengistbury Head

Google Earth view of Hengistbury Head with Mudeford Sandbank at its eastern end.
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On the south coast of England is an ancient and wonderful stretch of sand known as Mudeford Sandbank, with a community of famously expensive beach-huts.  A short ferry ride from Mudeford Quay, this place is a world apart from anything you have known.  On the eastern side is a good sandy swimming beach that faces the Solent and looks out across to the Isle of Wight.  The Solent is reputed to be the most expensive stretch of water in Europe to cross in a ferry, and indeed, when I checked, the fare was $60 US for the quick 30-minute ride over to Yarmouth from Lymington.  (Fortunately, the foot ferry to Mudeford Sandbank is only one pound sterling, or about $2 US.  "Dogs, cats, and parrots free.")  On the harbor side is a stony beach not used for swimming, but extensively used for water sports.  While I was there, I saw dozens of windsurfers, sailboats of all sizes, and  small fishing boats.  It must be windsurfer heaven, for the wind never dies.

Sandy beach, Solent side of Mudeford Sandbank.
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Mudeford Sandbank, also called The Island, is a long stretch at the eastern end of Hengistbury Head near the town of Bournemouth.  Hengistbury Head itself is a beautiful timeless place, neither island nor mainland.  It forms a natural breakwater, protecting both the small harbor and the towns behind it from the constant southwesterly wind.

Timeless, and Grand

They said a walk "over the Head" is a must, so I took a long walk to investigate; it was easy to see why -- I passed in turn a salt marsh with marsh grass and birds, waterlilies in a pond of fresh water, fields of heather stretching to the cliff edge, and the sea cliffs themselves.  Everywhere I turned was a windswept wonder of a view.  And wind, wind, wind.

Beach on the harbor side of Mudeford Sandbank.
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Back at The Island, the beach-huts are marvels in miniature.  Barely larger than the average camper, they boast full kitchens and even sleeping bunks.  Quite a number of them have solar-powered electricity (that is the only way to get electricity if you want it) generated by small roof panels.  There are municipal blocks of toilets and bathing facilities.  Once you leave the ferry dock and head for your hut, you can stay until your food runs out, and even then, there is a small cafe nearby.  But any one of these little beach huts costs more than my regular house.  Location, as they say, is everything.

Beach huts along Mudeford Sandbank.
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The weekend I visited, the sun was bright and skies were blue.  Britons had endured nothing but rain for weeks, and everyone was ready for a blue-sky day.  Those rooftop solar cells were working overtime powering many tiny televisions since it was a triple sport weekend: Wimbledon finals, the British Grand Prix in Silverstone (Formula One racing), and the final day of a 3-day Test Match (cricket) against the West Indies.  Fortunately the news was generally good for Britain: wins at Wimbledon and a third at Silverstone, though the West Indies did take the series 2-1.

Field of heather on Hengistbury Head, looking out to Isle of Wight
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You should visit Mudeford Sandbank sometime.  No cars allowed, but this is a good thing.  You won't find the in-crowd, in fact, you won't find a crowd at all -  just people with the same thoughts as yours - get far away from the city, the office, and the motorway.  You could drive to Mudeford Quay and park, but why not take the London - Weymouth train from Waterloo to Christchurch and take a taxi to Mudeford Quay?  Either way, you'll be steps from the ferry that will take you across a short stretch of water and to a long stretch of time.  All yours.  Enjoy!