Mudeford Sandbank — Attraction in England

Mudeford Sandbank: Where Nature Meets Real Estate in Technicolor Harmony

Mudeford Sandbank presents itself as a delightful contradiction – a narrow spit of land where brightly painted beach huts have colonized what was once presumably pristine coastal wilderness. The huts themselves are genuinely charming, lined up like a parade of pastel confectionery boxes, each one worth more per square foot than most London flats.

The ice cream was excellent – that perfect seaside combination of overpriced and entirely worth it, consumed while contemplating the eternal British seaside dilemma of whether to brave the elements or retreat to safety. With no ferry running, I found myself eyeing the low tide with the misguided confidence of someone who's watched too many survival documentaries, briefly considering a wade across to the mainland before common sense prevailed.

One can't help but wonder what this spit would look like if it had been designated a nature reserve before the great beach hut invasion of the 20th century. Probably a haven for nesting birds and rare coastal plants, rather than a haven for weekend warriors armed with thermos flasks and folding chairs. The sandbank would likely be teeming with terns and ringed plovers instead of tourists and Instagram photographers.

Then again, there's something rather British about taking a pristine natural feature and promptly covering it with colorful wooden boxes, each equipped with everything needed for the perfect cup of tea. The huts have become their own ecosystem now – a curious blend of nature conservation and property speculation where a wooden shed commands prices that would make estate agents weep with joy.

Four stars for charm, five stars for ice cream, mixed feelings about what we've lost versus what we've gained.

Sometimes human intervention creates its own kind of beauty, even if purists...

LOVE this place so so much especially the little ferry you take to get to the stunning Sandbanks! I visited here often as a child and it doesn't fail to dissapoint sharing it now with my children. We visited when the weather was amazing, lots of sun seekers, I love to look at all the coloured beach huts, the beach is perfect for children, mine swam in the sea. There are public toilets scattered along the beach and they are cleaned regularly. There is a bar, restaurant/cafe which serves fresh pizzas, breakfast rolls and sandwiches etc. Great coffee and fresh iced water which was free. We had breakfast rolls and some pizzas later on which were great, we live in London so prices were very 'normal' for us. You can also travel here via car and park up, its a lovely walk along Hengistbury Head, although a bit of a trek if you have a...

Superb location on the southeastern tip of Christchurch Harbour.

Park at the big car park on Broadway and walk either up over Hengistbury Head (very steep at first) or along the beach (flat, but hard work as the pebbles shift under your shoes).

And then marvel at this sand spit with its 350 or so beach huts. Prices are starting to climb above £300k believe it or not (Apr 2018).

One café and shop selling drinks, ice cream etc. Public toilets. Too many dogs, frankly.

Either walk back the way you came, or there is a tarmaced road which is flat and skirts the southern marshy side of the harbour. A little 'land train' runs this way too, between 10:00 and 16:00, if you're tired. There is also a ferry to...