Londoner visits Highcliffe Beach and compares it to the Bahamas – Dorset Live

Every year, visitors and locals will flock to the county to see our beautiful beaches. After all, we're home to miles upon miles of sandy beaches as well as the historic Jurassic Coast. It's no wonder people want to see the stunning sights that Dorset has to offer.

For some, our beaches serve as a great go-to area that many can rely on to have dog walks, evening strolls or morning runs. While others will argue, you don't have to fly to the other side of the world to have exotic beaches.

There have been many people who have said plenty of Dorset's beaches are comparable to the sunny locations of tropical destinations. For MyLondon reporter, Finn Byrne, his experience to one Dorset beach left him feeling like he had spent the day in the Bahamas.

Read more: Sandbanks beach ranked one of UK's best for summer 2022

Finn decided to venture from his busy London surroundings to the tranquil Highcliffe Beach near Christchurch. Highcliffe is often considered one of the best beaches in our county to visit - though these local photographers offer a list of other, lesser known beaches that are off the beaten track.

Here, Finn writes an account of his trip to the well-loved beach and his thoughts on the area.

A trip to the beach in April can often go one of two ways. After a few days of sunny weather I was convinced that the summer season had already begun and planned to make a trip to the South Coast to visit a beach best known for its spectacular views and long stretching shoreline. And after realising that it would only cost 25 for a return train ticket my mind was made up.

I took the train from Waterloo to Southampton and then made the small journey to Hinton Admiral, in Christchurch, on the Hampshire/Dorset border. I hadnt heard of Highcliffe beach before, but was told it was one of the best beaches along the South Coast. From the Hinton Admiral station it was then a thirty minute walk to the beach or alternatively a 1.60 hire bike ride to Highcliffe Castle where you can then walk down the steps to the golden beach.

I was blessed with the weather, and it seemed that I was right about summer arriving prematurely. Walking down the steps to the shore I felt as if I was abroad. This assumption was solidified through the abundance of palm trees and exotic plants, which convinced me that I might be in the Bahamas and not really the UK.

I was so caught up with the idea that I was abroad, I decided that it might be a good idea to cool off in the water. Unlike the Bahamas, the water was deceptively cold and I was freezing after swimming for less than five minutes. I had been fooled by the scenery and was on the verge of hypothermia.

This would have been embarrassing but as I left the water I realised there was hardly anyone around to see. The beach was almost deserted and along the five hundred metre stretch of coastline there were only another dozen or so people. Further up the beach there were more people enjoying the sun, but it was empty compared to the tourist-heavy alternatives of Brighton and Bournemouth on the South coast.

The quaint town of Highcliffe seemed a world away from the fast pace of city life which I had left behind. A lack of arcades and pubs was the only real downfall of this hidden gem but this was made up for by a cute village caf serving food and hot drinks. The weather took a turn and it became windy and a bit chillier but this didnt stop the fun.

There were numerous walking routes, cycle paths and activities to get stuck into. Being only two hours away from home meant that the thought of heading back wasnt hanging over me and I could relax knowing that home was always within touching distance. Golden sand, beautiful waters, long stretching beaches and a lack of tourism, made Highcliffe beach the perfect day trip getaway.

What is your favourite Dorset beach? Let us know to news.dorsetlive@reachplc.com

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Londoner visits Highcliffe Beach and compares it to the Bahamas - Dorset Live