Mudeford is at the estuary of the river Avon near Christchurch Bournemouth, we decide to stay there for our 40th anniversary. On arrival in the evening some of the views not far from the hotel grounds







After a lovely meal and breakfast the next morning we decided to try a walk to Bournemouth. Mudeford has a small peninsular which leads up
to the river mouth.



At the head, there is the Haven Inn, where we once made a mistake of having lunch and the portions were so large it nearly spoilt our evening
meal




Across the river is Hengisbury Head which can be accessed by ferry




Now on Hengistbury Head, I believe they have the most expensive beach huts in the country and the last one to be sold fetched over £50,000.



and once over this side of the river one can walk all of the way to Bournemouth



At this point it becomes a wetland area and good for wildlife, an inland lake.



Taking the higher ground one gets a view of the river Avon as it winds up to Christchurch



Well Bournemouth seemed to get further away, so we settled for a plate of fish and chips in a cafe before returning back to the hotel for our evening meal





We have friends that live at Barton-on-sea so we thought it would be a nice surprise for them if we knocked on their door.

So again, after a lovely evening meal and a hearty breakfast we set off around Mudeford Quay and walked along the beach until we reached a place called Highcliffe Castle a grade 1 listed building which caters for weddings



It had very nice grounds and lots of flowers









It also had a tea room with cream teas to die for whilst views of the Needles on the IOW (sorry blurred pic)



Well the traveller's suitably refreshed and still with jam around my face, we walked for miles until the path ran out and discovered it was another mile to Barton-on-sea. So we consoled ourselves with a plate of burgers and chips in a restaurant by the road



and walking back the same way until we reached our hotel. That evening we had a lovely meal and a superb breakfast and wandered in the grounds
reflecting why after all that walking had we not lost a pound between us.

What a fantastic section this is turning out to be. Another great review, with stunning photo's Delboy. :-bd:

fantastic ,I love coming on here and looking at the photos ,Im gonna have to get cracking with mine

Nice pics del, me and a few friends did a few days walking in that area a couple of years back.

Oh those lovely colours of the flowers - doesn't it remind you of summer in these cold dark winter days

great photo's and a brilliant review del,well laid out and very informative.
you put mine to shame,you'll have to teach me how to do it properly

Our first time visit to Mudeford

A fishing boat tied up ready to load the lobster pots



The pots could been seen stacked along the quayside



We took a stroll along the jetty to the Mudeford sands



In the distance the Needles Rocks of the Isle of Wight





This is a view from the Avonmouth Hotel, these grounds no longer exists as they were sold for a flat development, to fund a refurbishment programme at the hotel



And the little bunglows in the Hotel's grounds that now no longer exist



but that aside, a view to see the sun go down before dinner



The the evening light still gives a view looking out to Mudeford Quay and Hengistbury Head



Morning and the estuary is as calm as a mill pond




We decided to have a car trip into Poole harbour to see the main boats and have a trip to Poole Pottery (that now no longer exists)





We then had a trip further down the coast to Swanage, famous for its Corfe Castle





Then moving on to a place called Studland which is a headland that engulfs Poole Harbour



At the far end of the headland there is a chain ferry which takes one across to Sandbanks at Bounemouth, this is the home of football manager
Harry Redknapp, millionaires and posh hotels



And then back to our hotel for dinner



At the end of our stay we did a detour to visit Shaftesbury which is the scene of the famous TV ad for Hovis Bread







Finally just a look at the grounds now which supports a Gary Rhodes restaurant





And the Flat development progress................ hmmm