Season: spring

The early morning brought bright sunshine to Alum Chine.  As commuters walked along the promenade towards Bournemouth and the sun in the east, a blue sky and silver sea provided the backdrop.  The subtropical valley that makes up Alum Chine is well worth a look, the surrounding trees and cliffs overpowering in scale.

The scene at Alum Chine on a fine, bright morning.

Tina and Marilyn are on a mission, training by the beach.

Season: autumn

Alum Chine beach is child-friendly, with an adventure playground nearby and a paddling pool.   There is a subtropical garden at the back of the beach, supported by the benign microclimate along this part of the UK coast.  It supports exotic species of plants and trees that would normally only be found at a more southern latitude.   Alum Chine also has beach huts and a large car park. This beach is one of the four Bournemouth beaches with a Blue Flag for water cleanliness and was the first Bournemouth beach to achieve the award.

A panoramic view from the water’s edge at Alum Chine.

The health benefits of the beach for Anthony.

Season: autumn

Bright late afternoon sunshine lit the beach and the Isle of Wight in the far distance.  Holidaymakers promenaded by the sea on a rising tide and vivid black clouds interspersed the electric blue sky over Poole, looking west.  Whichever way one looked at this moment, nature seemed ebullient, a reviving force in a special place.

Late afternoon at Alum Chine in the autumn.