Nestled into the cliffside of Boscombe beach on the Dorset coast with stunning uninterrupted views of the sea, these little beachside houses make for a perfect UK coastal break all year round.
On a recent visit with a close friend and his adorable little dog Charlie, we were amazed by many things, not least the location of the Lodges, just a few metres from the sandy beach and invigorating waves. Also, with just a two – hour train journey down from London it was super easy to get to.
We had heard great things about the lodges but were still delighted by how stylish, cosy and light they are. Open plan, the décor is cool and contemporary with an eye-catching bespoke wooden staircase leading up to a mezzanine sleeping level and there are some very clever storage solutions. Other features include a fully equipped kitchen, crisp white towels in the sparklingly clean shower room and plump and cosy duvets that kept us warm at night. If desired, connection to the outside world is assured with very good WiFi and the private terrace almost doubled the downstairs space when we flung open the bi-fold glass doors!
Although our party consisted of two adults and a four-legged chum, we agreed that the Lodges would be perfect for families with children of all ages with its fun tree-house vibe and acres of clean soft sandy beach literally seconds away from your raised terrace. Meanwhile, there is plenty for grown-ups to do in and around the site – there are only 24 Lodges, a fact which lends a satisfyingly exclusive feel to the place.
Bournemouth boasts a fantastic variety of cafes and restaurants with a number very close to the lodges a short walk along the promenade. For example at Urban Reef you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, a drink, a pizza or coffee with breathtaking views of the bay right next to Boscombe Pier.
I loved cycling along the promenade and exploring the town on two wheels. I brought my own bike ( which I could safely store under our Lodge and bring on the train) but there are a number of fantastic hire and community cycle options readily available such as Front Bike Hire, Beryl Bikes . Meanwhile my lodge companion enjoyed a surfing lesson at nearby Sorted Surf and then walked the 30 minutes westwards along the beach into Bournemouth, taking in the iconic Pier, the lush Victorian Gardens and the vibrant town centre.
Our last day consisted of a wonderfully late breakfast on the sun-drenched terrace followed by an outing to the extraordinary Hengistbury Head, a rugged nature reserve and beach to the east of the Lodges, very close to Christchurch and famous for its skylarks, natterjack toads and dragonflies. A perfect dog-walking spot (preferably on leads only) and a paradise for bird watchers, ramblers and nature lovers. We particularly liked the fascinating Visitor Centre with its exhibits, photography and information on guided walks and beach cleans and the welcoming Hiker Café, where we enjoyed strong coffee and mouth-watering homemade brownies.
A great long weekend was enjoyed by all, especially Charlie, and we will be back very soon – highly recommended!
NB – the trip happened before the Coronavirus outbreak but I am delighted to report the Bournemouth Beach Lodges have now successfully re-opened, albeit with rigorous safety measures in place.