Tag: avon beach


Aug
2015

Dog Walks in Dorset – Avon Beach, Christchurch

categories: Poppy

One of the first and last walks we did on our glamping holiday was based around Avon Beach. A lot of the beaches are off limits to dogs between May and September, but if you head to Highcliffe Castle beach, dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. It’s a lovely walk along the promenade, with the colourful beach huts on one side and the sea on the other.

Avon Beach Poppy on Highcliffe Castle Beach Highcliffe Castle Highcliffe Castle Beach Poppy on Avon Beach Veggie breakfast at the Noisy Lobster

On our first evening, we parked at Mudeford Quay carpark and had a lovely evening stroll along the promenade, watching holiday makers try to catch crabs and seagulls bobbing on the coastal breeze. We walked all the way to Avon Beach, noting that most of the beaches along this stretch didn’t allow dogs so we planned to return to visit the dog friendly beach of Highcliffe Castle beach and have breakfast at the Noisy Lobster, as the menu looked amazing.

On our final day, we got up bright and early, packed everything up and headed for Avon Beach. We parked next to the Noisy Lobster, planning on having breakfast there after our dog walk and headed towards Highcliffe Castle beach. As is often the case, the best beaches have dog restrictions during the summer. Highcliffe Castle beach is pebbly, so it’s not super easy to walk on. But it was still good to be on the beach, breathing in all that sea air. There were quite a few dogs enjoying the beach and Poppy was happy to meet them all!

After a while, we headed back to Avon Beach for breakfast at the Noisy Lobster. Fortunately, the weather was lovely so we sat outside for breakfast and Poppy behaved perfectly. The veggie breakfast was absolutely amazing. It was probably the best breakfast I’ve ever had – so much so, I keep dreaming on heading back down to Avon Beach, just for the breakfast!

The Walk: The walk along the promenade is very lovely in itself so if you don’t fancy a walk on the beach too, you can just as easily do this.
Cost: Free
Car Park: We parked at the Avon Beach car park, next to the Noisy Lobster and paid, as always, using RinGo.
Refreshments: While we wanted to visit the Noisy Lobster, it’s just one of many cafes along that stretch of beaches. I can heartily recommend the Noisy Lobster! There are also quite a few taps along the beaches, providing free drinking water, which was essential for filling up our water bottles.
Toilets: There are lots of toilets and all are free.


Oct
2012

Holiday

categories: On Tour
Oliver B

There is nothing like a break from the norm is there? During my week off, my OH took me to the New Forest for a few days. I’d never been before & couldn’t believe how lovely it all was. I loved seeing the horses & cows roam freely – so much so they wouldn’t move off the pavement & created a standoff with some pedestrians – mega lol’s!

New Forest Cow

We drove down to Avon beach & spent our first day walking along the coast & eating humongous 99’s. We then headed for our hotel, The Master Builder’s Hotel at Buckler’s Hard. It was lovely. The area was outstanding & beautiful and the hotel had some amazing charm. Our hotel room was fantastic and best of all the bed was massive and comfy. I slept so well! While our breakfast, which was included, was fab & massive, our dinner, (not included) was not good value. I paid £12.50 for a cassoulet & received about a handful of beans. It was the only veggie option. They had créme brulee on the pudding menu, which I obviously had but it was at least double the size of my main! Crazy! So if you do stay there, go elsewhere to eat or pay for very expensive tiny portions.

Master Builders

Having said that, the hotel is lovely & the customer service was outstanding. And it was lovely – I wish I could’ve stayed longer.

On the second day, we walked to Beaulieu, which is a lovely little village. It’s about a 4 mile round trip between there & Buckler’s Hard and it is well worth it. The sun shone & the walk was great & totally justified me stuffing my face at breakfast! When we got back we decided to go on the Oliver B boat ride down the estuary. It was pretty reasonable at £4.50 per adult & a lovely way to finish off our little break. Though, the best bit of the boat ride was another passenger – can you spot him in the picture below? He was quite a character & had the attention of everyone on board!

Oliver B

Then it was time to head home. It was such a lovely break & if you’ve never been, then it’s well worth the trip. I didn’t want to leave! I had a lovely time – if only I could do that every week!


Oct
2012

Tuesday Treat

categories: On Tour, Tuesday Treat
Holiday

I am just getting back into work after my first full week off in too long. And it has been lovely! So lovely in fact that I’m going to rethink the way I work & try and have more time off – isn’t that the benefit of working for yourself? Anyway, I did the usual on my week off – slept in, ate & drank what I wanted, read, knitted, rewatched Harry Potter (Love those films!) & generally had a lovely time. Though the favourite bit of my holiday was the few days we spent in the New Forest. On the first day, we headed to the coast. Being from Pembrokeshire, I miss the coast & the smell of the sea so going to the beach was essential. We spent some time on Avon Beach & came across this little beauty.

Holiday

The sun wasn’t out for our whole visit to the beach, but it was out for plenty of it. Sadly, we only spent two days away, and while it was bliss when we were there, it certainly wasn’t long enough & I cannot wait until we’re in the New Forest, or anywhere else for that matter, again. How great are holidays?! Even if you don’t go anywhere exotic, they are so good for you! Love a good holiday!