Key Features
- Property code: A431
- Preferred changeover day: Friday
- Check in: 4pm
- Check out: 10am
- Access statement available
- Central heating
- Parking (see description for details)
- Garden or outside space
- Nearby pub or restaurant
- Nearby shop
- Short breaks available
- Village
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Description
School House is one of three holiday cottages in the small New Forest village of Sopley. Comfortably sleeping two guests it boasts an open plan kitchen and dining room with separate cosy lounge offering plenty of comfortable seating to relax in this peaceful location. Upstairs the mezzanine master bedroom and en-suite shower room have luxurious crisp white linens and big fluffy towels.
There is a wooden bench at the front of the cottage where you can sit and relax with an evening drink whilst overlooking the paddocks beyond. There is parking on the private driveway and access to the shared laundry and covered bike racks. Bikes can be hired locally.
Situated on the edge of the New Forest National Park, the cottage is well placed both for exploring the Forest, and the coast, with the beautiful sandy Avon beach and Christchurch Harbour just a 10 minute drive away. A short stroll down the lane takes you to the local village pub. The Avon Valley footpath runs from Christchurch to Salisbury and passes through Sopley.
Please note School House can be booked with Bell Hatch (property code A430) and/or The Study (property code A432) to sleep up to 8 guests.
Key Features
- Property code: A431
- Preferred changeover day: Friday
- Check in: 4pm
- Check out: 10am
- Access statement available
- Central heating
- Parking (see description for details)
- Garden or outside space
- Nearby pub or restaurant
- Nearby shop
- Short breaks available
- Village
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Description
School House is one of three holiday cottages in the small New Forest village of Sopley. Comfortably sleeping two guests it boasts an open plan kitchen and dining room with separate cosy lounge offering plenty of comfortable seating to relax in this peaceful location. Upstairs the mezzanine master bedroom and en-suite shower room have luxurious crisp white linens and big fluffy towels.
There is a wooden bench at the front of the cottage where you can sit and relax with an evening drink whilst overlooking the paddocks beyond. There is parking on the private driveway and access to the shared laundry and covered bike racks. Bikes can be hired locally.
Situated on the edge of the New Forest National Park, the cottage is well placed both for exploring the Forest, and the coast, with the beautiful sandy Avon beach and Christchurch Harbour just a 10 minute drive away. A short stroll down the lane takes you to the local village pub. The Avon Valley footpath runs from Christchurch to Salisbury and passes through Sopley.
Please note School House can be booked with Bell Hatch (property code A430) and/or The Study (property code A432) to sleep up to 8 guests.
Entrance into open plan kitchen/dining room.
Kitchen with electric oven and hob, fridge with ice box and Nespresso coffee machine. Please note there is no dishwasher provided.
Dining area with dining table and seating for 4 guests.
Through to lounge with comfortable seating, Smart TV.
Stairs to first floor mezzanine bedroom with king size (5ft) bed, hanging rail and en-suite shower room with large walk-in shower enclosure, basin and WC.
Separate shared laundry out-building with shared use of washing machine, iron, ironing board and outdoor clothes line.
There is a wooden bench outside the front of the property overlooking the paddocks where donkeys can often be seen grazing.
Allocated parking for 1 car on private driveway.
Included: Bed linen and towels (please bring own beach towels), underfloor heating, electricity, WiFi.
Children: All ages welcome. Cot and high chair available on request. Please bring own cot bedding.
Pets: Regret no pets.
No Smoking.
Shops: Local Farm Shop – 2 minute drive, Christchurch – 6 minute drive.
Pubs: The Woolpack Inn – 2 minute walk, The Fisherman’s Haunt – 2 minute drive, The New Queen Inn, Avon - 5 minute drive
Beaches: Avon Beach – 10 minute drive, the beaches of Southbourne, Boscombe and Bournemouth – all within a 20 minute drive.
Short breaks: Available anytime.
Changeover: Friday.
Check in time: 4pm
Check out time: 10am
Property: Self-catering holiday home.
The Woolpack Inn
(Less than a mile)
(8)
A 17th century chocolate-box, picture perfect, thatched pub with spacious conservatory and large beer garden. It’s great for drinks in the heavily beamed main pub, which serves a selection of fun nibbles from the bar – check out the jalapeño pickled eggs! The food here is deliciously wonderful. The menus are forever changing according to what’s local and fresh, and portions are as generous as the first-class service diners receive. Dog owners will love The Woolpack’s pooch friendliness - they even have a ‘Dog Menu’ with main courses and treats!
The Woolpack Inn, (T: 01425 672252) Sopley BH23 7AX
Friendly, good food and reasonable prices, enjoyed our visit
November 2023
Very welcoming, good, well presented food, open all day, lovely garden and so handy for Sopley Cottages
July 2023
Friendly & local with tasty home cooked food. Great place for a meal, a few drinks or both. Excellent service.
August 2022
Recently revamped by new owners who have done a great job. Friendly welcome, great menu selection and service with a smile with excellent food delivered quickly (but not too quickly) so what's not to like! Interesting variety of indoor and outdoor seating areas add to the attractiveness of the old pub.
April 2022
Decent pub grub and beer
October 2021
We ate at the woolpack on a couple of the nights during our stay. Good pub food and great service
July 2021
Very friendly staff,lovely and clean food acceptable good beer.
July 2021
Had a very nice meal here with the family. Good choice and excellent service. Visited a second time later in the week.
June 2021
The Fisherman's Haunt
(Less than a mile)
(1)
A large spacious pub on the B3347 between Christchurch and Ringwood. Inside is rustic, yet elegant and in the summer, you’ll find plenty of tables outside on the patio. The food at The Fisherman’s Haunt comes in generous portions and is really tasty. The main menu consists of standard pub classics, supplemented by a more adventurous specials board. Dogs welcome.
The Fisherman's Haunt (T: 01202 477283) Winkton, BH23 7AS
Friendly staff, nice food, would recommend
September 2021
The New Queen
(2 miles)
(2)
You’ll find The Queen in the little village of Avon which straddles the B3347 between Christchurch and Ringwood. There’s a huge beer garden and play area. Inside it’s spacious, yet cosy with flagstone floor, wood paneling and lots of atmosphere. The menus reflect a more imaginative twist on traditional pub food and prices are keen.
The New Queen, (T: 01425 672432) Ringwood Road, Avon BH23 7BG
Beautiful meal here in nice surroundings. Tables and chairs outside could have been more comfortable but the inside was much better. Would go again.
June 2021
The New Queen is a great pub a short drive from Sopley Cottages. Good food, friendly staff, family (and dog) friendly atmosphere and lovely pub garden with stunning views of the river Avon make it a very popular choice.
March 2021
Avon Causeway
(2 miles)
A large, sprawling pub with a railway station theme. There are plenty of tables and snug areas to gather. Outside you’ll find two outdoor areas to sit – to the front of the property are tables and chairs and to the rear, a smoke-free beer garden. There’s also a children’s play area. Food wise, it’s the usual pub fare, but well-cooked and in hearty portions.
Avon Causeway (01202 482714) Hurn BH23 6AS
The Carpenter's Arms
(2 miles)
(5)
A locals’ pub with large restaurant serving simple, hearty pub food - think burgers, pies, pasta and steaks, complemented by a popular daily specials board – all very good value. The pub has a good range of well-kept draught lager and wine list. For sports fans, there’s a large TV in the bar, as well as pool, darts and table football. In warmer months, you can sit in the beer garden and let kids have their own fun in the designated play area. Pets welcome.
The Carpenter’s Arms, (T: 01425 672295) Bransgore BH23 8BA
We found this was a lovely pub. Good food well priced. We had a dog & they accepted dogs in the bar area, good service
August 2023
This is a great choice for food . The menu is extensive and the food very tasty. Would definitely return but unfortunately we live 260 miles away !
May 2023
We had used several years ago it was great,but I’m afraid food wasn’t up to standard chicken my husband had was tough and stringy
June 2022
Very good well cooked food. Staff friendly.Will definitely visit again next year
August 2018
Good food with plenty of gluten free options.
October 2017
Mighty Claws Adventure Golf
(3 miles)
Come face to face with moving dinosaurs and other prehistoric thrills over 18 holes of action packed adventure golf at Might Claws, part of Playgolf Bournemouth. If you survive you’ll deserve a tasty bite to eat or a hot drink at The Kitchen Club.
Click here for further details
Snowtrax
(3 miles)
Alpine Activity Centre with lots to do from ski and snowboard novices to those looking to improve their skills. There’s masses to do here - along with three artificial ski slopes and an Alpine Bistro there is an Alpine Adventure Park full of trampolines, swings and a huge fort. And if the kids want a change from skiing or boarding they could try out the Ringos or Ski Bobs too, all under close supervision by the centre’s qualified staff.
Click here for further details
Scenic Air Tours
(3 miles)
Discover Bournemouth Seafront and the beautiful Jurassic coastline from the air with Scenic Air Tours. If you’re brave enough you can also take control of the plane under the guidance of one of the highly experienced Flight Instructors, a great gift idea. Flights depart from Bournemouth Airport.
Click here for further details
Avon Tyrell Outdoor Activity Centre
(3 miles)
An outdoor activity centre that gets kids and young adults active, Avon Tyrell Outdoor Activity Centre is a chance to experience, learn and develop, whilst having fun at the same time. fly down a zip wire or learn about conservation, the great outdoors is your classroom as you learn about the wonders of our world.
Click Here for further information
Adventure Wonderland
(3 miles)
(1)
A fun family day out with rides, shows and entertainment catering to kids of all ages, Adventure Wonderland has both indoor and outdoor experiences so it’s a lovely way to entertain the children on holiday, whether the sun is shining or it’s one of those (hopefully unusual) rainy days.
Click Here for further information
This is a fabulous introduction to a theme park! It is not for older children, but I would suggest those under the age of 12. The ticket price includes all the rides and a soft play area - but does not include pony rides. There is an opportunity to meet the Alice in Wonderland characters and (provided not in pandemic) to watch a live performance. Beware of the maze, it is tricky and can take a considerable amount of time! The battle water boats are great fun, but be prepared to get very wet! We did not have to queue for rides. There are approximately 9 rides, as well as the soft play, theatre, maze and play areas. The staff are all friendly and clearly happy in their jobs. Great fun for young families.
August 2020
Avon Beach
(4 miles)
(2)
A family friendly beach close to Mudeford and Christchurch Harbour with plenty to do for all. For those with disabilities or small children there is a beach level carpark, and to keep everyone safe there is a designated bathing area and a seperate area allocated for watersports, all overseen by lifeguards in the summer months. This pretty sand and shingle beach is backed by trees and countryside and if you fancy some fresh local seafood or simply a coffee, ice cream or a cold drink, the beach is home to the excellent Noisy Lobster, serving breakfast, lunch and supper all year round.
Nice beach with good facilities
April 2023
Beautiful beach, lots of sand for youngsters- definitely been high on our favourites list, for more than 30 years and still is now the 'children' are nearly 30! - well worth the drive from New Forest. The Noisy Lobster is great and now has an 'outdoor upstairs' too. The Beach Cafe, half-way along, is excellent too- used to do very good carrot cake! The connecting beach towards Steamer Point is dog-friendly all year which is a bonus. Walking to the quay end, you can catch the ferry to Hengistbury Head which is beautiful beach too and often quieter (top favourite!) Even this last week (JULY 2021) the 'kids' wanted to crab-fish from Mudeford Quay!!
August 2021
Southbourne Beach
(4 miles)
(1)
Southbourne Beach is a Blue flag award winning beach with wide, clean, part sand and part shingle beach to the east of Boscombe Pier. With views stretching right across to the Isle of Wight on a clear day and Old Harry Rocks/Swanage to the west.
The beach is popular all year round and during the summer months you can find kiosks serving ice creams and drinks dotted along the promenade.
Other facilities include toilets, baby changing facilities, lost children centres, RNLI lifeguard stations and pubs. There are many beach huts along Southbourne Beach and they are available to rent all year round from the local beach office.
Dogs are not permitted on Southbourne beach from 1st May – 30th September however they are permitted on the promenades all year round when on a lead.
Wonderful sandy, dog friendly beach with spectacular, far fetching views. The addition of Sobo serving fantastic coffee is great.
October 2023
Southbourne Beach
(4 miles)
Southbourne Beach is a Blue flag award winning beach with wide, clean, part sand and part shingle beach to the east of Boscombe Pier. With views stretching right across to the Isle of Wight on a clear day and Old Harry Rocks/Swanage to the west.
The beach is popular all year round and during the summer months you can find kiosks serving ice creams and drinks dotted along the promenade.
Other facilities include toilets, baby changing facilities, lost children centres, RNLI lifeguard stations and pubs. There are many beach huts along Southbourne Beach and they are available to rent all year round from the local beach office.
Dogs are not permitted on Southbourne beach from 1st May – 30th September however they are permitted on the promenades all year round when on a lead.
Parking can be found on the clifftop, accessed via slopes leading right to and from the beach.
Mudeford Sandbank
(4 miles)
(3)
This is one of the most scenic of New Forest beaches. Lined with some of the most picturesque and expensive beach huts in the country! There’s no parking next to the beach, as it’s a traffic-free zone, but there’s pay and display parking at Hengistbury Head from where you can catch a little train to the sandbank, and Mudeford Quay which runs a small ferry (5 mins) over to the sandbank. Can also be reached on foot and by bicycle.
This is a holiday must. A short ferry out to amazing beach makes for a great day out.
September 2022
As usual, stunning. 4 ferries but sadly the Land train not running although according to their web site they were. Always visit when in the area
September 2020
Beautiful place, our favourite beach in south of England. It feels like an island, when you go over on the ferry and at times (off-season!) on sunny days it can feel like a little piece of Heaven, it's so peaceful and beautiful- bit of a sense of New England. There's a super little 'restaurant', the Beach Hut, which does great breakfasts, meals all day and some evenings. Also takeaway eg pizzas, you can eat on the beach. Very simple surroundings, with a sheltered veranda that can be uncovered in fine weather, and amazing views. Quite pricey and often very busy (and you are best to ring and check opening times and book since often weather and ferry-dependant) but the quality of the food and those stunning views make it more than worthwhile!
March 2018
Highcliffe Beach
(5 miles)
Highcliffe beach, beneath the popular Cliffhanger Restaurant is a part sandy, part pebble beach. The beach has sloping access as well as steps down to the shore from the pay and display clifftop car park. To the east, Highcliffe beach towards Barton on Sea is a part sandy beach at the foot of the second most eroded cliff in England. This side of the beach is dog-friendly all year. However do check the tide times as high tide can make it difficult to walk along the beach.
To the west towards Highcliffe Castle beach, the promenade leads across the top of the small beaches inbetween the groynes with views across Christchurch Bay and Hengistbury Head. Groynes 4-8 have dog restrictions as does the promenade during the summer months, May-September.
April 2022
We enjoyed our stay, cottage was well equipped, comfortable & beautifully presented in a lovely peaceful location.
September 2021
The standard of the cottage made for a very comfortable, relaxing stay.
September 2021
This cottage was outstanding, well equipped and furnished to a high standard, it was ideally placed for our stay and perfectly clean.
June 2021
Lovely, stylish clean cottage. Loved the donkeys.
May 2021
Lovely cottage in a quiet location. Standard of fixtures and furnishings were of a very high standard. Perfect cottage to escape to and have a very long overdue relaxing week.
April 2022
We enjoyed our stay, cottage was well equipped, comfortable & beautifully presented in a lovely peaceful location.
September 2021
The standard of the cottage made for a very comfortable, relaxing stay.
September 2021
This cottage was outstanding, well equipped and furnished to a high standard, it was ideally placed for our stay and perfectly clean.
June 2021
Lovely, stylish clean cottage. Loved the donkeys.
May 2021
Lovely cottage in a quiet location. Standard of fixtures and furnishings were of a very high standard. Perfect cottage to escape to and have a very long overdue relaxing week.
The Woolpack Inn
(Less than a mile)
(8)
A 17th century chocolate-box, picture perfect, thatched pub with spacious conservatory and large beer garden. It’s great for drinks in the heavily beamed main pub, which serves a selection of fun nibbles from the bar – check out the jalapeño pickled eggs! The food here is deliciously wonderful. The menus are forever changing according to what’s local and fresh, and portions are as generous as the first-class service diners receive. Dog owners will love The Woolpack’s pooch friendliness - they even have a ‘Dog Menu’ with main courses and treats!
The Woolpack Inn, (T: 01425 672252) Sopley BH23 7AX
Friendly, good food and reasonable prices, enjoyed our visit
November 2023
Very welcoming, good, well presented food, open all day, lovely garden and so handy for Sopley Cottages
July 2023
Friendly & local with tasty home cooked food. Great place for a meal, a few drinks or both. Excellent service.
August 2022
Recently revamped by new owners who have done a great job. Friendly welcome, great menu selection and service with a smile with excellent food delivered quickly (but not too quickly) so what's not to like! Interesting variety of indoor and outdoor seating areas add to the attractiveness of the old pub.
April 2022
Decent pub grub and beer
October 2021
We ate at the woolpack on a couple of the nights during our stay. Good pub food and great service
July 2021
Very friendly staff,lovely and clean food acceptable good beer.
July 2021
Had a very nice meal here with the family. Good choice and excellent service. Visited a second time later in the week.
June 2021
The Fisherman's Haunt
(Less than a mile)
(1)
A large spacious pub on the B3347 between Christchurch and Ringwood. Inside is rustic, yet elegant and in the summer, you’ll find plenty of tables outside on the patio. The food at The Fisherman’s Haunt comes in generous portions and is really tasty. The main menu consists of standard pub classics, supplemented by a more adventurous specials board. Dogs welcome.
The Fisherman's Haunt (T: 01202 477283) Winkton, BH23 7AS
Friendly staff, nice food, would recommend
September 2021
The New Queen
(2 miles)
(2)
You’ll find The Queen in the little village of Avon which straddles the B3347 between Christchurch and Ringwood. There’s a huge beer garden and play area. Inside it’s spacious, yet cosy with flagstone floor, wood paneling and lots of atmosphere. The menus reflect a more imaginative twist on traditional pub food and prices are keen.
The New Queen, (T: 01425 672432) Ringwood Road, Avon BH23 7BG
Beautiful meal here in nice surroundings. Tables and chairs outside could have been more comfortable but the inside was much better. Would go again.
June 2021
The New Queen is a great pub a short drive from Sopley Cottages. Good food, friendly staff, family (and dog) friendly atmosphere and lovely pub garden with stunning views of the river Avon make it a very popular choice.
March 2021
Avon Causeway
(2 miles)
A large, sprawling pub with a railway station theme. There are plenty of tables and snug areas to gather. Outside you’ll find two outdoor areas to sit – to the front of the property are tables and chairs and to the rear, a smoke-free beer garden. There’s also a children’s play area. Food wise, it’s the usual pub fare, but well-cooked and in hearty portions.
Avon Causeway (01202 482714) Hurn BH23 6AS
The Carpenter's Arms
(2 miles)
(5)
A locals’ pub with large restaurant serving simple, hearty pub food - think burgers, pies, pasta and steaks, complemented by a popular daily specials board – all very good value. The pub has a good range of well-kept draught lager and wine list. For sports fans, there’s a large TV in the bar, as well as pool, darts and table football. In warmer months, you can sit in the beer garden and let kids have their own fun in the designated play area. Pets welcome.
The Carpenter’s Arms, (T: 01425 672295) Bransgore BH23 8BA
We found this was a lovely pub. Good food well priced. We had a dog & they accepted dogs in the bar area, good service
August 2023
This is a great choice for food . The menu is extensive and the food very tasty. Would definitely return but unfortunately we live 260 miles away !
May 2023
We had used several years ago it was great,but I’m afraid food wasn’t up to standard chicken my husband had was tough and stringy
June 2022
Very good well cooked food. Staff friendly.Will definitely visit again next year
August 2018
Good food with plenty of gluten free options.
October 2017
Mighty Claws Adventure Golf
(3 miles)
Come face to face with moving dinosaurs and other prehistoric thrills over 18 holes of action packed adventure golf at Might Claws, part of Playgolf Bournemouth. If you survive you’ll deserve a tasty bite to eat or a hot drink at The Kitchen Club.
Click here for further details
Snowtrax
(3 miles)
Alpine Activity Centre with lots to do from ski and snowboard novices to those looking to improve their skills. There’s masses to do here - along with three artificial ski slopes and an Alpine Bistro there is an Alpine Adventure Park full of trampolines, swings and a huge fort. And if the kids want a change from skiing or boarding they could try out the Ringos or Ski Bobs too, all under close supervision by the centre’s qualified staff.
Click here for further details
Scenic Air Tours
(3 miles)
Discover Bournemouth Seafront and the beautiful Jurassic coastline from the air with Scenic Air Tours. If you’re brave enough you can also take control of the plane under the guidance of one of the highly experienced Flight Instructors, a great gift idea. Flights depart from Bournemouth Airport.
Click here for further details
Avon Tyrell Outdoor Activity Centre
(3 miles)
An outdoor activity centre that gets kids and young adults active, Avon Tyrell Outdoor Activity Centre is a chance to experience, learn and develop, whilst having fun at the same time. fly down a zip wire or learn about conservation, the great outdoors is your classroom as you learn about the wonders of our world.
Click Here for further information
Adventure Wonderland
(3 miles)
(1)
A fun family day out with rides, shows and entertainment catering to kids of all ages, Adventure Wonderland has both indoor and outdoor experiences so it’s a lovely way to entertain the children on holiday, whether the sun is shining or it’s one of those (hopefully unusual) rainy days.
Click Here for further information
This is a fabulous introduction to a theme park! It is not for older children, but I would suggest those under the age of 12. The ticket price includes all the rides and a soft play area - but does not include pony rides. There is an opportunity to meet the Alice in Wonderland characters and (provided not in pandemic) to watch a live performance. Beware of the maze, it is tricky and can take a considerable amount of time! The battle water boats are great fun, but be prepared to get very wet! We did not have to queue for rides. There are approximately 9 rides, as well as the soft play, theatre, maze and play areas. The staff are all friendly and clearly happy in their jobs. Great fun for young families.
August 2020
Avon Beach
(4 miles)
(2)
A family friendly beach close to Mudeford and Christchurch Harbour with plenty to do for all. For those with disabilities or small children there is a beach level carpark, and to keep everyone safe there is a designated bathing area and a seperate area allocated for watersports, all overseen by lifeguards in the summer months. This pretty sand and shingle beach is backed by trees and countryside and if you fancy some fresh local seafood or simply a coffee, ice cream or a cold drink, the beach is home to the excellent Noisy Lobster, serving breakfast, lunch and supper all year round.
Nice beach with good facilities
April 2023
Beautiful beach, lots of sand for youngsters- definitely been high on our favourites list, for more than 30 years and still is now the 'children' are nearly 30! - well worth the drive from New Forest. The Noisy Lobster is great and now has an 'outdoor upstairs' too. The Beach Cafe, half-way along, is excellent too- used to do very good carrot cake! The connecting beach towards Steamer Point is dog-friendly all year which is a bonus. Walking to the quay end, you can catch the ferry to Hengistbury Head which is beautiful beach too and often quieter (top favourite!) Even this last week (JULY 2021) the 'kids' wanted to crab-fish from Mudeford Quay!!
August 2021
Southbourne Beach
(4 miles)
(1)
Southbourne Beach is a Blue flag award winning beach with wide, clean, part sand and part shingle beach to the east of Boscombe Pier. With views stretching right across to the Isle of Wight on a clear day and Old Harry Rocks/Swanage to the west.
The beach is popular all year round and during the summer months you can find kiosks serving ice creams and drinks dotted along the promenade.
Other facilities include toilets, baby changing facilities, lost children centres, RNLI lifeguard stations and pubs. There are many beach huts along Southbourne Beach and they are available to rent all year round from the local beach office.
Dogs are not permitted on Southbourne beach from 1st May – 30th September however they are permitted on the promenades all year round when on a lead.
Wonderful sandy, dog friendly beach with spectacular, far fetching views. The addition of Sobo serving fantastic coffee is great.
October 2023
Southbourne Beach
(4 miles)
Southbourne Beach is a Blue flag award winning beach with wide, clean, part sand and part shingle beach to the east of Boscombe Pier. With views stretching right across to the Isle of Wight on a clear day and Old Harry Rocks/Swanage to the west.
The beach is popular all year round and during the summer months you can find kiosks serving ice creams and drinks dotted along the promenade.
Other facilities include toilets, baby changing facilities, lost children centres, RNLI lifeguard stations and pubs. There are many beach huts along Southbourne Beach and they are available to rent all year round from the local beach office.
Dogs are not permitted on Southbourne beach from 1st May – 30th September however they are permitted on the promenades all year round when on a lead.
Parking can be found on the clifftop, accessed via slopes leading right to and from the beach.
Mudeford Sandbank
(4 miles)
(3)
This is one of the most scenic of New Forest beaches. Lined with some of the most picturesque and expensive beach huts in the country! There’s no parking next to the beach, as it’s a traffic-free zone, but there’s pay and display parking at Hengistbury Head from where you can catch a little train to the sandbank, and Mudeford Quay which runs a small ferry (5 mins) over to the sandbank. Can also be reached on foot and by bicycle.
This is a holiday must. A short ferry out to amazing beach makes for a great day out.
September 2022
As usual, stunning. 4 ferries but sadly the Land train not running although according to their web site they were. Always visit when in the area
September 2020
Beautiful place, our favourite beach in south of England. It feels like an island, when you go over on the ferry and at times (off-season!) on sunny days it can feel like a little piece of Heaven, it's so peaceful and beautiful- bit of a sense of New England. There's a super little 'restaurant', the Beach Hut, which does great breakfasts, meals all day and some evenings. Also takeaway eg pizzas, you can eat on the beach. Very simple surroundings, with a sheltered veranda that can be uncovered in fine weather, and amazing views. Quite pricey and often very busy (and you are best to ring and check opening times and book since often weather and ferry-dependant) but the quality of the food and those stunning views make it more than worthwhile!
March 2018
Highcliffe Beach
(5 miles)
Highcliffe beach, beneath the popular Cliffhanger Restaurant is a part sandy, part pebble beach. The beach has sloping access as well as steps down to the shore from the pay and display clifftop car park. To the east, Highcliffe beach towards Barton on Sea is a part sandy beach at the foot of the second most eroded cliff in England. This side of the beach is dog-friendly all year. However do check the tide times as high tide can make it difficult to walk along the beach.
To the west towards Highcliffe Castle beach, the promenade leads across the top of the small beaches inbetween the groynes with views across Christchurch Bay and Hengistbury Head. Groynes 4-8 have dog restrictions as does the promenade during the summer months, May-September.
Your selected break
Other available dates
Book now & only pay 1/3 today
With our advanced booking deposit scheme only pay 1/3 today (available on bookings over 6 weeks in advance).
Your booking is safe and secure