Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Hengistbury Head

Season: autumn

A bright, blowy day greeted me at Hengistbury Head for this visit. From my high vantage point on the Head, the morning sun lit the long beach, which stretches west down to Bournemouth and beyond. To the east are The Needles and the Isle of Wight and behind, to the north, is Mudeford Sandbank, a sand spit that protects Christchurch harbour and its little boats. On this occasion the picturesque beach huts on the sand offered a wistful memory of the warm summer that had just passed.

Barbara and Lorraine share their beach eulogies.

On top of Hengistbury Head in the sunshine.

Season: spring

What a stunning location this is. As you stand on top of Hengistbury Head, surrounded by outrageously bright yellow gorse in the spring time, you feel as if you are looking at an endless beach, all the way west in an arc to the beach at Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck. Looking north, Mudeford Sandbank is laid out in front of you, with the lake to its left. Down on the beach below the cliffs, Mike and Pat referenced the close family associations that the beach holds for them and the sense of release from tension and hassle that it offers as a permanent tonic.

What the beach means to Pat and Mike.

A superb location on the beach at Hengistbury Head.

Season: autumn

Also known as Solent Beach, the beach below Hengistbury Head is one of the the least commercialised in the Bournemouth area. Most people refer to it as Hengistbury Head beach. The beach itself is a mix of sand and shingle, framed by the high, crumbling cliff-face of Hengistbury Head itself. Although there are sea defences here, it’s a quiet, natural place. There is no lifeguard on this beach and care needs to be taken near the cliff.

Wild nature and memories pull Nigel and Jo away from Bath to revisit Hengistbury Head.

A view of the beach at Hengistbury Head, as seen from the cliffs on a stormy day.

Little Perhaver beach

Season: winter

I filmed the scene-setting piece at high tide in the morning and returned to interview Amy six hours later at low tide. From the serene arrival of the Gorran Haven training gig in the morning to the glassy reflection of the cliffs at low tide on the sand under the last bright light of the day, I could have been on two different beaches, such is the visual and atmospheric diversity of this universal place, where the air, land and sea meet.

The beach at different times of life and at different times of day.

Little Perhaver on a gentle high tide.

Season: spring

A bright blue day greeted me at Little Perhaver. Despite the removal of the sand from the top of the beach in the recent storms, it was a tranquil scene at low tide. Exposed rocks were covered in intricate tracery, rarely seen. Evidence of cliff falls and erosion of the soft top soil and northern cliff lay all around the edge of the beach. A spring tide was bringing the rarely accessible Great Perhaver beach and its ancient forest stumps into reach.

How wildlife, nature and its elements combine here for Hilary.

By the water in peace and quiet at Little Perhaver beach.

Season: spring

A fine morning brought me to Little Perhaver beach in Gorran Haven on a low tide. There was a wide expanse of sand to enjoy, with people of all generations basking in the new day’s sun and promise. The sun shone silver, with exposed rocks thrown into sharp relief by the newly formed, golden beach.

Paul’s reason for being on the beach.

With Ann, by the sea at Little Perhaver beach.

Season: winter

The sun was out, after a few grey days in Cornwall. With the tide out, the beach looked stunning, as a counterpoint to the wide expanse of azure sky and cloud. There was a silver band along the horizon, framing the Gwineas rocks in the distance. Listening to Lucy put a spring in my step.

With Lucy at Little Perhaver beach.

By the water, with the waves and the beach.

Little Perhaver, as seen from the top of the steps down to the beach.

Burnham Overy Staithe

Season: winter

The Burnhams are considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of North Norfolk. Burnham Overy Staithe is a haven for sailing enthusiasts and has a well-to-do, characterful atmosphere. A channel leads out to the sea and a twenty minute walk takes visitors out to a wonderful, unspoilt beach, which itself links to Holkham and Wells-Next-The-Sea beaches further along the coast. Take care with the tides on this walk though, to avoid being cut off. The path is flat, as you would expect and you should reach the beach in less than half an hour. It is well worth it, completely unspoilt and backed by dunes. The sheer scale and size of the magnificent blue sky and the scudding white clouds is wonderful.

The rejuvenating effect of the beach on Trevor and Carol.

Well worth the walk out to the beach near Burnham Overy Staithe.