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.

Durley Chine beach

Season: spring

Fine weather greeted me for this visit to Durley Chine. Towards the main pier in Bournemouth the cliff lift was starting to lower seasonal visitors to the beach once more. Visibility was excellent and there was a spring in the step of the beachside promenaders, cyclists and runners. I chatted to Simon, who surely has one of the most enjoyable walks to work, taking him along this wonderful string of chine beaches near Bournemouth.

What the beach means to Simon.

Looking back to Durley Chine from the water’s edge.

Season: autumn

Durley Chine beach holds a coveted Blue Flag award and is one of the best beaches in Bournemouth. A chine is a narrow gorge, leading down to the beach from higher ground. Durley Chine is now a large car park, but just west along the beach is the beautiful Middle Chine, which also leads down onto Durley Chine beach. In summer the beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards, who have a prominent watch house on the beach. Durley Chine has a pub, a cafe and shops. There’s also a boat hire facility. However, its most appealing aspects are its acres of golden sand and clean bathing water.

The beach as an important reference point and as a part of Christine’s daily routine.

Afternoon sun breaks through on a stormy day at Durley Chine.

West Bexington beach

Season: spring

Leisure fishermen were out in numbers on the beach at West Bexington. The steep shingle bank amplified the sound of the pebbles as they turned in the tidal breakers. There’s an unspoilt aura here and a handy walkway at the back of the beach, so the nature and bird life can be enjoyed in their beach context. With beachside parking and handy local facilities, day trippers also choose West Bexington as a destination.

John’s enjoyment of the fishing and the nature at hand here.

An unspoilt vista at West Bexington beach.

Season: autumn

West Bexington, located at one end of Chesil Beach, has year round fishing from the beach, for mackerel in the summer and for bass in the autumn, with cod, plaice, dabs and flounders available too. The Trust Nature Reserve by the village consists of a shingle beach, reed bed, wet meadow and scrub that are perfect for birdwatching. The sea is of a manageable temperature during the summer and autumn months, although care is needed when swimming, due to the undertow. The beach here comprises small pebbles with blocks of Cerastoderma Clay from beneath Chesil Beach, whereas at Portland, at the other end of Chesil Beach, the pebbles are large.

Fishermen Nick and Mick enthuse about a wonderful beach.

Natural beauty in abundance at West Bexington.

Weymouth beach

Season: spring

A weekend by the beach at Weymouth in decent weather is guaranteed to bring the crowds out and that was the case for this seasonal visit. The fine arc of the beach encourages promenading along the esplanade past the Victorian clock tower that stands out halfway along the walkway. Concessions and entertainment are available to beachgoers. One of my interviewees, John, is part of four generations that have hired out donkeys on the beach here.

The beach through time and generations for John and Sue.

By the water at the bay in Weymouth.

Season: autumn

Weymouth was the venue for the sailing events at the 2012 Olympic Games, featuring superb vantage points from the shore across the bay. The town sits on the Jurassic Coast and the sands and safe water of the sheltered bay are some of the finest in the country. Throughout the year, the beach also hosts several major events, including the International Beach Kite Festival, fireworks, tag rugby, handball and international volleyball. The town is vibrant, upmarket and full of character, situated right next to the beach.

Bill enjoys his morning walk along the seafront.

Under the clock tower on Weymouth sea front.